Voluntary organisations fear they could be detrimentally affected as Kingston Council slices down its budget.

Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) is set to lose its specialist team, which offers advice and helps groups bid for grants to help vulnerable people.

Under the plan, one post could be made redundant with another four people forced to reapply for jobs as business analysts in the strategic business team.

The council insists the work undertaken by the unit will “continue and may grow” as the remaining staff work under a different name.

However, charities fear crucial expertise will disappear under the restructuring that comes at the council as part of the One Council programme, which seeks to slash £8.5m in three years.

Hilary Garner, chief executive of KVA, said the plan could damage the voluntary sector.

He said: “Anything detrimental to that continuing – and I have explained this to the council leadership – is detrimental ultimately to the voluntary sector.

“If you reduce the capacity of that unit there’s an immediate knock-on of how well and effectively the voluntary sector will work in Kingston.”

Megan Naylor, of Yorda Adventures, a non-profit organisation working with disabled children, said: “We are really disappointed to see the cuts in that area.

“We have had massive support and encouragement from those members of staff.

“We know there will be a detrimental effect on us as an organisation and others as well.”

Pippa Mackie, chief executive of Kingston Citizens’ Advice Bureau, had not heard about the restructuring, but praised the work of the team.

She said: “Most of the voluntary sector organisations have had contact with the voluntary sector unit over seven years.

“They were fantastic, very supportive and very on the ball.”

The team includes a children’s voluntary sector worker advising organisations that help children and young people and disadvantaged children.

Another helps charities bid for grants and gives advice on fundraising.

A Kingston Council spokesman said: “The work undertaken by the unit will continue and may well grow as the council works more closely with the voluntary sector. The difference is staff who had been in a stand-alone office will now work within a larger, strategic business team.”