CC&G: Sinn Fein call-in is a ‘political stunt’ – Ian Paisley
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The fund was established to assist event organisers who wanted to run their event in full or in a reduced capacity in 2021 as well as those who wanted to postpone and it was unanimously supported by councillors including the eligibility criteria and budget allocation.
Mr Paisley said: “It is bitterly disappointing that Sinn Fein councillors would seek to block the work being done across the area, on a cross community basis, that will sustain these organisations and ensure that when our economy and country opens up, they will be able to lay on local successful events.
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Hide Ad“I am all for ensuring that each event is fairly funded and supported, and I don’t know any councillor who wouldn’t agree with a tweak here and there to maximise the impact of local government support. But the plan to throw the baby out with the bathwater is clearly just a political stunt that purpose would be to leave the local economy like a wasteland.”
£319,675 has been allocated to events that have indicated they still plan to go ahead later in the year if Covid restrictions allow.
Limavady’s Stendhal Festival will receive £99,000, Supercup NI £100,000, Ballylough Living History Trust £70,125 and the Armoy Road Races £50,550.
A sum of £59,887.50 has been awarded to the Coleraine and District Motor Club, who organise the North West 200.
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Hide AdThe remaining £16,976 will be shared between the Heart of the Glens Festival, the Co Londonderry Agricultural Show, Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and North Antrim Agricultural Show.
A council officer explained that events that are not taking place this year were getting money awarded for two purposes – to protect and sustain the event and to invest in their event for the following year to ensure the event doesn’t die off.
Gillian Anderson
Local Democracy Reporter
07712566756
Gillian Anderson , Local Democracy Reporting Service