However, letters from some women's refuges protesting against this decision had been sent to all Councillors, followed by a rebuttal letter from Refuge.   The meeting was heavily lobbied and some time was spent discussing this.  

The decision was finally taken to award the grant to Refuge on the basis that LBG had been funding it as a refuge for some years and had not received any complaints, and because Refuge had indicated that it could pull in large amounts of additional funding for the helpline.   It was considered to be the best application and it was felt that none other was likely to come forward even if LBG did decide to defer making a decision.