Funding of €162,000 has been ringfenced for “big events” in the city in future years after city councillors discussed and voted on recommendations proposed by the Corporate Policy Group, with Connaght Rugby receiving a large contribution of €30,000, Macnas €10,000, and Galway Arts Festival €8,000.
A meeting of the Corporate Policy Group was held last Monday morning with members considering a number of applications for funding from the Galway City Council’s marketing fund.
At the council meeting later that evening, Cllr Peter Keane (FF ) informed the chamber that it had been decided the initial recommendation of €175,000 in funding to be reserved for future years should be reduced. A reduction to €165,000 was suggested first, however, after a short adjournment this figure was reduced further to the final figure of €162,000. Cllr Keane added that this funding would be used for “big events in the city”.
After further discussion the funding for a number of applications was unanimously agreed by the councillors. The Shantalla Gathering Festival will receive funding of €5,000 subject to agreement being reached regarding acceptable means of publicising the city council’s contribution. The Galway Women’s Football Club is to receive €5,000 which is again subject to agreement regarding acceptable means of publicising the city council’s contribution.
It had been recommended by the CPG not to allocate funding to Connacht Rugby at this time and to review its funding request upon consideration of the Budget 2014. However councillors at Monday’s meeting regected this recommendation and agreed an allocation of €30,000. Regarding Macnas, it was recommended by the CPG to consider its funding request through the annual Arts Grants Scheme 2013. However, councillors agreed unimously to allocate €10,000 from the council’s marketing fund. Councillors then agreed with the CPG’s recommendation to allocate €8,000 to the Galway Arts Festival for the Share Galway Initiative.
