Lack of finance causes concern

Press, 10 April 1981, Page 4

Lack of finance causes concern

Lack of financial support from local authorities is endangering the existence and growth of the Canterbury Promotion Council. The council’s budget for 1981-82 outlines $95,570 expenditure, and in addition to meeting the costs of continuing existing services it has earmarked $12,000 for promotions. The budgeted income is $89,190, of which 68 per cent is expected from local authority grants, 16 per cent from members’, subscriptions, and 16 per cent from income-earning activities. The amount requested from the 21 local authorities in Canterbury totals $84,000, and is based on 23c per head of population. However, the council can hardly count on receiving

$84,000, because last year only 13 of the 21 local authorities, approved a grant, and some grants were less than requested. The Christchurch City Council policy and finance committee has proposed a reduction of $9OOO on last year’s grant. Mr B. R. Dunstan, executive officer for the Promotion Council, said that other local authorities might be prompted to follow the City Council and offer less money. It is not only the level of support from local authorities which causes the Promotion Council some anxiety. The uncertainty of what income will be available makes planning for future activities difficult. !