WINCHESTER Area Community Action (WACA) is embarking on a restructuring and cost-cutting programme brought on by a decline of money in the charitable sector and changes in the way the city council distributes funding.

Both chief executive officer Paul Williams and his deputy Elizabeth McKerracher will leave in weeks.

In an additional bid to reduce overheads, WACA, which has a turnover of around £1m, plans to move from its current offices at Winchester City Council to rooms at the Discovery and Brooks centres in July.

None of the other 30 existing staff will leave, and trustee chairman Trevor Lewis has stressed that all aspects of support the organisation currently provides to its membership of over 230 charities and small voluntary causes will continue.

Winchester City Council has decided to put its charity volunteer work for the next financial year – usually given to WACA – out to tender for the first time.

Mr Lewis said that, because of the restructuring, they were not in a position to bid for this, but fully intended to for 2015/16.

Mr Lewis was keen to assure the public that the Dial-a-Ride, Community Transport, Shopmobility, Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling and Hampshire Independent Sexual Violence Advice services will all continue as usual.

A key WACA role providing its members with advice, training and help gaining funding, volunteers and trustees will also carry on as usual.

Winchester City Council was approached but declined to comment.