Problem of mathematics for grants body

Press, 16 September 1986, Page 5

Problem of mathematics for grants body

One hundred and sixtysix into 191,369 won’t’go evenly — that was the problem facing the Christchurch City Council grants sub-committee.

It had to distribute $191,369 among 166 applicants for grants. The total amount applied for exceeded $491,910. To make it easier, the committee split the applicants into three groups and allocated $12,575 for the cultural area, $50,300 for the active sports area, and $62,879 for the community organisations area. The money came from the Government’s Recreation and Community Development Fund, plus a council arrangement for

$33,000 for the Arts Centre, repayment of previous loans, and grants not collected last year. Summer Times was voted $lO,OOO from the grants fund because the committee felt the withdrawal of P.E.P. funding made such a grant necessary. Last year it decided Summer Times funding should come from the council’s budget rather than the grants funds. The Community Centre Fund, from which community centre's can draw low-interest loans, has been boosted by $lO,OOO. The main recipients are the Arts Centre, $32,712

for earthquake strengthening; the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council, $8609 for finishing its new building; the Christchurch Floral Festival, $5739 for the 1987 festival; Orana Park, $5739 for a visitor information centre and the Canterbury Sports Foundation $6OOO for general assistance.

More than 60 organisations received grants. The grants committee was not able to allocate $4446, the amount provided by the Ministry of Recreation and Sport to compensate for GST, because it was not advised in time how much this would be.