Community projects for Broadland residents are to receive more than £170,000 – but a rural circus tour will stop after missing out on funding.

Broadland District Council has approved grants totalling £177,640 to 22 projects – down from the £201,619 given out in 2012/13.

Groups and events to benefit include Age UK Norfolk, Aylsham Festival and Norwich Door to Door.

But Broadland says two applications failed to meet its criteria, meaning Foolhardy Circus Arts' rural touring circus and The Magdalene Group's jigsaw prevention project – which seeks to prevent exploitative relationships of young people – have missed out.

Foolhardy received £7,200 in 2012/13 while Magdalene collected £9,000.

Cosmo Hardy, of Foolhardy Circus Arts, said the group would continue but the grant allowed them to offer school projects, free workshops and cheaper prices for people to enjoy their shows during a four-week Broadland tour.

Mr Hardy said he did not blame Broadland for the decision as the council was subject to government cuts.

He said: 'Last year was a massive success. We did a four-week rural tour taking a quality circus production to tiny villages where they would not get any live entertainment.

'The government's policies have meant 12 circus artists have lost four weeks of work, which is another hit to the economy as we spend money in the villages we visit.'

Age UK Norfolk will receive £10,115 for its outreach service helping older people to find out about benefits.

Hilary MacDonald, chief executive of Age UK Norfolk, said she was 'hugely grateful' for the support from Broadland.

She said: 'It's a vital piece of our work and a flagship service.'

A review of how Broadland works with community groups, including how it issues grants, is expected to take place in the next 12 months.

Paul Carrick, cabinet member for finance, said of the grants: 'There's only a certain pot of money so let's make the best of it.'

Broadland District Council's life community investment fund 2013/14, revenue spending:

Overall spend in 2013/14: £177,640

Overall spend in 2012/13: £201,619

Applications for 12 month funding (how much received in 2012/13 in brackets)

Age UK Norfolk: £10,115 (£12,000)

Norwich Door to Door: £8,429 (£10,000)

Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership: £4,215 (£5,000)

Acle Academy: £2,166 (£2,430)

Aylsham Festival: £1,686 (£2,000)

PACT: £8,429 (£12,500)

Community Rail Norfolk: £4,215 (£3,750)

White Horse Development Trust: £12,644 (£20,000)

Foolhardy Circus Arts: Failed bid (£7,200)

The Garage: £8,429 (N/A)

West Norwich Credit Union: £5,900 (£10,000)

Relate Norfolk and Suffolk: £1,686 (£2,000)

The Magdalene Group: Failed bid (£9,000)

Norfolk and Norwich Festival: £6,322 (£7,500)

Sue Lambert Trust: £10,950 (N/A)

Norfolk Homemakers: £4,215 (£7,000)

Total: £89,401 (£110,380)

Multi-year allocations (part of a three-year agreement, now in final 12 months)

Leeway Womens Aid: £10,389 (£10,389)

Creative Arts East: £9,000 (£9,000)

Norwich Playhouse: £10,000 (£10,000)

Norwich Fringe Project: £15,000 (£15,000)

Active Norfolk: £5,000 (£5,000)

£49,839 (£49,839)

'Strategic partners/service level agreements'

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB): £20,000 (£23,000)

Voluntary Norfolk: £11,400 (£11,400)

Norfolk Rural Community Council: £7,000 (£7,000)

Total: £38,400 (£41,400)