Council pull back on funding Lammas Fair study

Ballycastle Town Partnership was seeking 25 per cent match funding from the Council for the study project but at a rates meeting councillors decided not to contribute to the scheme.

At a previous meeting councillors had expressed concerns about the price of the study.

Council officer Esther Mulholland said the study would give the Lammas Fair a basis for moving forward.

She said 75 per cent of the money for the study was expected to come from the Tourist Board and the Ballycastle Town Partnership was only asking the Council for 12.500.

Cllr Oliver McMullan (Sinn Fein) asked if 50,000 was needed for such an exercise and thought a total of 10,000 might have done the job.

But Mrs Muholland said if the issues around the Fair are to be tackled in a "professional way" the research would be vital

She said a strategy is needed that will put the Lammas Fair in good shape for the future.

Cllr Madeline Black (SDLP) said the aim was to involve the whole community in a thorough research campaign.

Cllr Paudie McShane (Sinn Fein) said many people had expressed substantial opposition to 50,000 "from whatever quarter" being spent on a survey and he said a cheaper study could be carried out.

He said there was local expertise on how to move the Fair on.

Cllr Black said she was disappointed at the attitude of councillors. She said she accepted 50,000 is a lot of money but said the Lammas Fair has to be progressed.

Council Chairperson, Cllr Cara McShane (Sinn Fein), said 50,000 could provide many facilities in Moyle.

Council officer Esther Mulholland said the Lammas Fair has much potential and is an "international event" for Northern Ireland and the survey would help secure its future.