Newry Mourne and Down District Council is set to receive almost £300k of additional funding from the Environmental for Rates Relief. Minster for the Environment Mark Durkan announced the releasing of funding and said that it was in part due to frugal reconfiguration of Departmental budgets whilst the council will also be able to avail of a £0.5m fund set aside for Emergency Planning. Speaking at a Partnership Panel meeting Mr Durkan said: “Whenever DOE’s budget was reduced last year I had to reduce grants to Councils and promised I would try to find ways of addressing the difficulties that posed.”
This additional funding as a result of good financial management and reprioritizing within my department, now provides additional in-year money to less well off Councils through the Rates Support Grant. I recognize the valuable contribution Councils make to emergency planning and civil contingency arrangements. Through the Emergency Planning Grant my Department supports Council in preparing emergency plans and responding to local emergencies in their districts. This extra £0.5m will help councils to plan ahead to ensure they a fully prepared for the winter months ahead,” said Mr Durkan. The Minister hopes that the funds will go top some way in alleviating some of the Council’s recent financial difficulties.
Newry Democrat
27th November 2015
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