Mid Devon District Council’s community well-being policy group met this afternoon to discuss plans to reduce the council’s support for the attraction from £45,000 to £22,500 next year and withdrawing financial support completely in the following year.

Supporters of the canal spoke at the meeting to express their concerns at the impact such a dramatic cut in funding would have.

Adam Pilgrim, who was a member of the Canal Awareness Group which ceased to exist earlier this year, told assembled councillors: “You would be doing the community a great disservice if you implement the recommendation.”

Cllr Slade said: “Last year I was involved in the decision-making process and I suggested concern about a few elements and some of the suggested changes were made, but I wasn’t involved this year and by the time I raised concerns, the document was in the public domain. …

… He claimed the document was rewritten by the council’s senior management and he could not make a recommendation to cabinet to support the current proposals. “I have serious reservations about the cuts, including to the Grand Western Canal,” he said.

Cllr Bob Deed, who formerly held the same cabinet post, and said he had some experience of the challenge of making reductions to the funding of worthy causes, said: “I am absolutely disgusted with the fact the cabinet member has not had any opportunity to be involved in the discussion of this paper. It’s autocratic.”