Council to consider providing financial aid to Glebe House

Council to consider providing financial aid to Glebe House

6 November 2013

DOWN Council officers have been asked to investigate if the local authority can include Strangford’s Glebe House in the list of voluntary bodies it provides annual financial support to.

Councillor Cadogan Enright wants the local authority to make a yearly contribution of £5,000 to the Harmony Community Trust which runs the Strangford facility.

He tabled his request at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, but the matter has been deferred to allow officers to investigate if Glebe House meets its funding criteria.

Councillor Enright believes the Strangford facility meets the criteria and hopes his bid to secure annual funding of £5,000 will be successful.

He said in addition to Glebe House’s work for the local area, the Harmony Community Trust facility provides on-going residential courses, summer schemes and art clubs for young people.

Councillor Enright said the Strangford facility also conducts study tours and day events for people from various community groups throughout the district, Ireland and the world.

He said groups from right across the district have visited Glebe House this year and has no doubt the Strangford facility makes a real contribution to good relations in the area, working towards a genuinely shared future and community development in the district. 

Council chief executive, Mr. John Dumigan, gave an undertaking to work with councillor Enright to ensure the investigation to determine if Glebe House meets the local authority’s funding criteria is completed as quickly as possible.