Council leaders reject ‘late decision’ claims
ROSSENDALE council chiefs have responded to criticism over the ‘late timing’ of the announcement that they would no longer be funding the Coconutters’ annual Easter Saturday parade.
Acting Conservative group leader claimed the event had been handled in “a shambolic way”.
He also alleged that ‘a political decision’ that the traffic management would not be funded was made as long ago as last summer. However, council chief executive Neil Shaw has refuted this claim, saying it was reached in late January.
Coun Foxcroft said: “We are all too aware of RBC’s challenging financial position, but I’m afraid the idea that funding Remembrance and Jubilee events means that RBC must withdraw funding from the Coconutters is simply not credible.
“Remembrance parades happen every single year, and therefore incur a predictable cost, while RBC are in the process of distributing grant funding for Jubilee events as we speak.
“The CEO is correct that the amount of money required is significant - but such an amount weighs far more heavily on the
Coconutters’ bank balance than it would on the council’s.”
Coun Foxcroft added: “The shambolic way in which this has been handled by RBC is bitterly disappointing. Perhaps if they weren’t having to cover nearly £8m worth of losses to the Empty Homes Scandal, they could find the resources to support the events our communities cherish - and which stimulate our local economy.”
CEO Mr Shaw responded: “In January 2022 the council received a request from the Britannia Coconut Dancers for funding as part of the consideration of obtaining a traffic management order. Given the disruption from the Covid pandemic over the last two years it has been unclear which community events intended to proceed, and in what form, in 2022.
“Upon confirmation of the group’s decision to undertake their Easter event, the council made their funding decision in late January. The group were informed of this on 27 January. This was decision was, in part, influenced by the Government’s funding announcement to local authorities on their 2022/23 budget settlement and the council understanding the
financial implications for the forthcoming year’s budget in the short number of weeks before this decision was taken.”