Mid-Ulster District Council’s development committee has backed plans to spend almost £110,000 to allow local communities to upgrade their festive lights.
Councillors heard this week how it is hoped to spend £108,250 following a comment received as part of its three-year community grant review consultation.
Currently, there are 60 local community groups who partner with council to deliver festive lights in their areas.
One of the key issues raised by groups is that it takes the full grant award and match voluntary contribution from the community to install the festive lights each year. This means there is no available funding to renew or replace existing stock.
In the past council has provided a small festive lights grant on top of the revenue support to allow groups to add to or replace festive lights stock and council officers have suggested the local authority do the same this year.
This investment will allow groups to purchase new or replacement festive lights including LED, solar and energy efficiency options.
The funding will be based on a similar amount to their revenue allocation and will range from £1,250 to £3,000 as per settlement size.
The budget implication for this scheme will be £108,250.
A proposal to allocate this grant funding for the purpose of allowing these 60 local community groups to upgrade their festive lights was put forward by Councillor Dan Kerr and seconded by Council’s Chair, Councillor Cora Corry.
