Review to be held of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's grant funding unit
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s grant funding unit is to be reviewed amid concerns over support for competing elite athletes.
The department distributed £1.6m to 528 individuals, groups and organisations across the borough through 27 programmes during the 2025/26 financial year. after the unit was established in April 2025.
The review will take into account experience of community organisations, voluntary groups, sports clubs, businesses and other applicants’ understanding and accessing of funding. It will also cover processes, grant size as well as timelines relating to applications, assessments, decisions and payments.
Speaking at a meeting of the council’s Community Development Committee, Dunsilly Ulster Unionist Councillor Stewart Wilson asked about the format of the review in order to put forward concerns.
Ursula Fay, director of community and culture, said that it would be face-to-face with members at a workshop.
Antrim SDLP Councillor Roisin Lynch welcomed the review, adding that a “fantastic amount” has been distributed although there have been some limitations to some pots of money.
"Whilst I welcome the distribution of money, it has fallen short in supporting some of our key athletes,” Cllr Lynch remarked.
The director indicated that there are funding streams available to support that kind of initiative.
Macedon DUP Councillor Matthew Brady pointed out that a workshop is “not a decision-making body” and turn-out at workshops is “not the best”. He added that he wanted to see a breakdown of external funding.
The director noted that the intention of running a workshop is to seek feedback, discuss and raise issues to be addressed as part of the review with a report to be brought back to a committee.
Threemilewater DUP Councillor Mark Cooper recalled: “We have a resident of this borough, a great athlete, who was told ‘no’ after an application went in.
"The councillors make the decisions. Officers make a recommendation,” he stressed.
Cllr Cooper reminded that the request should have come to a committee.
"There are decisions being made that councillors are not aware of,” he claimed. “It really is a frustration of mine. I really have lost confidence in the grant funding hub. It must be community-led.
"I do welcome the review. It is a good first step. I am glad to hear there is going to be a workshop for members to feed into.”