Councillors agree to spend £30,000 to say goodbye

Councillors agree to spend £30,000 to say goodbye

21 January 2015

DOWN Council is to spend £30,000 of ratepayers’ money on a series of events to mark its 42 years in business, just days before the organisation is consigned to history.

The celebrations are scheduled to take place in March ahead of the organisation’s merger with its neighbour in Newry and Mourne to form one of  11 new super councils in Northern Ireland.

Down Council was created in 1973 following the last major shake-up of local government. As it approaches its final few weeks in existence, politicians are drawing up plans to mark what they have described as the “end of an era.”

Downpatrick racecourse will host what councillors hope will be one of the biggest community events the district has ever seen on March 28 as part of the celebrations.

Planning for this event is ongoing and no firm details of what it will entail have yet been released. The racecourse will also be the venue for the council chairman’s annual awards for young people on the same day.

Work is continuing on an 80-page booklet tracing the history of Down Council from its launch to the present day, while separate events are to be held for staff and councillors.

Invitations to take part in the celebrations are to be extended to all former councillors and the area’s MPs and MLAs and representatives from the Roads Service, Planning Service and PSNI.

Councillor Dermot Curran, who has been a member of Down Council since its formation and some members of staff who have been with the organisation since 1973, are also to have their distinguished service formally recognised.

A special working group has been set up to oversee the celebrations and members of Down Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee were provided with an update on Monday night.

Politicians were told while a budget of £30,000 has been set aside, the cost of the celebrations could be slightly more, with assurances given that any additional cash could be found.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe said the bulk of the budget will be spent on the community event at Downpatrick racecourse which he described as a “worthwhile project.”

Councillor Stephen Burns said it was “disappointing” several events were being held to mark the end of Down Council instead of one, referring in particular to the fact that councillors and staff were having separate events.

“We have to make sure that as many people as possible attend the community event in Downpatrick. The focus on marking the end of Down Council must be on the community,” he added.

Councillor Terry Andrews said as the ratepayers have funded Down Council since it was created, “they should be at the centre of the celebrations to mark the end of an era.” He also suggested councillors should consider engaging in a fundraising event to raise money for local charities.

Councillor Curran, who chaired Monday night’s meeting, agreed that the celebrations must include the local community and recognise its support for Down Council over four decades.