BARNARD Castle Town Council is to more than double its events budget this year.
The budget was slashed from £7,200 in 2020 to only £2,390 last year because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Plans are now to raise the budget to £5,750.
A report to the council’s partnership committee said the amount is lower than two years ago because the town’s 1940s weekend had been scrapped.
Town clerk Martin Clark’s report said £1,250 is to be allocated to remembrance events, including Red Ensign Day, Aviation Day and Remembrance Sunday.
A further £2,500 should be allocated for next year’s Christmas lights switch on and £1,500 for the Queen’s jubilee. Other events were to be allocated £500.
Mr Clark said: “It is recognised that community events benefit the town in supporting the local businesses with increased footfall, but also importantly these events are seen as beneficial for the wellbeing of our residents.”
During their last meeting the committee noted that an amount of £5,590, set aside in this year’s budget for a colourful Holi weekend in the spring, may not be needed as an application had been made for a £10,000 funding grant for the event.
The committee further agreed that any group wanting to use the power supply on Scar Top for their events be charged based on the metered use at the unit rate.
It was also agreed that any commercial hire be charged a £50 administration fee to cover the cost of bookings and insurance.
Community, voluntary and not-for-profit groups would be exempt from the charge.
