A major 20% budget cut to community festivals in Lisburn and Castlereagh has been prevented following an 11th hour U-turn.
The council's communities and wellbeing committee this week agreed to bolster a £57K pot jointly funded by the Department for Communities (DfC).
Officers had put forward a recommendation to hand out grants to 32 successful groups for local celebrations at a cut down rate in order for the council to stay in budget.
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However, Lisburn South DUP Alderman, Paul Porter stepped in, saying: "It is a good sign that we have been over subscribed for the festival grants.
"It means that the money is going to those who really need it.
"In saying that, the 20% cut would be a lot for the festival groups to make up, but I believe for the council it is a very small amount of money to make up the difference.
"I would propose that we find the extra money from within council to meet the shortfall."By topping up the funding a budget of almost £72k would be shared amongst the festival events including cross community celebrations.
At the same committee, members agreed to also plug a 4% gap in its funding for community support grants, which has already been boosted by £100k of ratepayers money this coming year to a total of £256k. DfC is due to contribute nearly £50k of the combined fund.
Lisburn South Alliance Alderman, Amanda Grehan added: "I support the proposal. If the festival groups were to have the loss of funds I don't think many of them would be able to hold the events they want to host. Some would have taken a bigger hit than others.
"Hopefully by filling the 20% gap all of the festivals, which have been awarded through the criteria will be able to go ahead."
Letters of offer for co-funding from DfC are pending and have not yet been received by LCCC.
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English (United States) ·