COMMUNITY groups in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne are set to bag a share of £90,000 in an X-Factor-style voting event.

South Somerset District Council's Area West Committee approved funding for community forums in each town late this year and early next at a meting last Wednesday.

A similar event held in Chard in February saw £30,000 dished out to nine local groups after a public vote.

Money for the forums will be taken from £75,000 of reserves and £15,000 from a pot for unallocated capital projects.

The forums are set to cover a wider base than the original project, and will include all surrounding areas.

Members also had to decide whether the towns would receive an equal slice of the pie, or an amount proportional to their population.

Cllr Kim Turner, chairman of the committee, said: "Chard has already been given £30,000 for the project, so if we split this round proportionally, it would mean them receiving another £40,000 and Ilminster and Crewkerne would loose out."

After much debate, members decided to recommend an equal split of the cash pot this time, with a recommendation to consider proportional splits in later rounds.

This could see Chard net £41,807 but Ilminster just £18,311.

The forum dates are: Ilminster - November 16, 2007; Crewkerne - January 23, 2008, and Chard - February 27, 2008.

The district council plans to promote each forum three months in advance and the closing dates for bids are: Ilminster - September 28, Crewkerne - November 30 and Chard - January 17.

n DO you like the idea of forums for all three towns? Should Ilminster get as much money as Chard?

Tell us what you think! Post your comments below or you can e-mail Postbag at newsdesk@chardand ilminsternews.co.uk.

You can also spark a debate in our own Forums section of our website.