The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Murray Conservatorium and Albury City Band each asked that their ratepayer-funded allocations be increased from $10,000 to $20,000 next financial year.

HotHouse Theatre also requested a $5000 increase to lift its allocation to $30,000.

But all four applications were rejected.

The council agreed to maintain existing funding to the Albury-Wodonga Eisteddfod and Murray Arts at $25,000 and $27,500 respectively.

Cr Henk van de Ven and Cr Paul Wareham unsuccessfully pushed for additional funding for the band and eisteddfod in line with inflation rises, arguing their status as volunteer-based organisations.

All six organisations have received funding for at least five years and since 2009 have entered into service agreements with the council.

The Flying Fruit Fly Circus operates from a council-owned building, with its request for additional funding made in response to rising operational and utility costs.

The circus has received a $10,000 grant from the council for the past five years and had been charged standard rates on its Hovell Street building up until a recent review of council leases and licences for sporting and community groups.

As a result of the review, the circus will be brought into line with other community organisations housed in council buildings on a reduced payment that translates to a net benefit of $8100 in the 2012-13 financial year.

The conservatorium had wanted an increase in funding to cover costs of a scholarship program.

The band, which will celebrate its 15th anniversay in 2017, wanted its allocation increased to $20,000 to pay for new uniforms, instruments and repairs and an increase in the music director’s salary.

The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Murray Conservatorium and Albury City Band did not respond to requests for comment.