Write a commentCouncillors have officially reversed a decision taken in February to award Newry Rainbow Community £50,000 of funding.
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The sum was awarded to help the organisation host the 2019 UK and Ireland Pride in Newry in August.
£125,000 was awarded in total to the NRC for the pride festival including £15,000 Tourism Events funding but only £60,000 has been paid.
The funding had been agreed by the councils Enterprise Regeneration and Tourism committee 11 February 2019.
The decision was made at the councils Strategy Policy and Resources Committee meeting 17 October and was rubber stamped at last nights full council meeting in Downpatrick. It follows a statement made in August by incoming council CEO, Marie Ward citing "governance related concerns" as the reason the council wouldn't be in a position to release any further funding at that time.
Last nights meeting stated that a sum of £6,500 "discussed in the officers report" will be paid "upon receipt of satisfactory vouching documentation"
Despite the council decision Newry Rainbow Community still managed to attract thousands to Newry hosting UK and Ireland Pride on 31 August as part of 2019 Pride in Newry festival that saw a large parade through the town followed by a star studded concert at the Albert Basin.
