Causeway Coast and Glens councillors have called for changes to funding for tourism events in the Borough.

At March’s Leisure and Development Committee meeting, members said multi-year funding from Council’s Tourism Events Funding Programme would provide assurance to organisers of large scale events, and argued that inflationary increases should be applied to the current £400,000 annual funding pot.

Committee members were informed of the outcome of the 2026/27 programme, which awarded the full £400,000 to 13 local groups who had requested a total of £490,342.

Successful applicants include the Coleraine and District Motor Club, Northern Ireland International Youth Football Cup, and the Stendhal Festival, who each applied for £100,000 in funding and received £81,575 apiece.

Causeway Coast and Glens councillors have called for changes to funding for tourism events in the borough such as the Stendahl Festival. CREDIT STENDAHL

placeholder image — Causeway Coast and Glens councillors have called for changes to funding for tourism events in the borough such as the Stendahl Festival. CREDIT STENDAHL

UUP councillor Richard Holmes noted signature events like the Stendhal Festival were “twenty grand shy” of their initial request, and asked if Council could consider a multi-year deal and “guaranteed amount” annually for larger events.

“The other concern is that people start inflating what they need, on the basis that they think they’re only getting a percentage of it,” he added. “And you’d rather be dealing with what people need.”

Chief Executive David Jackson said the £400,000 pot had been in place for several years, and it may be worth Council “nudging that up” next year.

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Mr Jackson added: “In the past we have done a three-year deal and I think that’s better for them, it gives them certainty, so I would be happy to look at that for next year.”

DUP Alderman Aaron Callan agreed the multi-year funding model, which was previously adopted by Council for “marquee events”, gave organisers peace of mind.

“I think that’s something we need to develop, because I know it’s done by other Councils to support major events and make sure there’s that certainty,” he added.

“This fund has stood still in terms of money, it’s a cut essentially over that period of time, so we do need to see that grow.

“Inflation has cut the value of this fund over the last three years in particular, so even if we could include an inflationary increase as a bare minimum year-on-year it would help this fund.”