BATHURST Regional Council has declined to be a major sponsor of the Festival of the Bells by rejecting a request to make a $20,000 donation.
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Council had received a request from festival convener Stuart Pearson, seeking assistance to the value of $20,000 for the 2022 event.
The director of Corporate Services and Finance, Aaron Jones, recommended that council waive the fees associated with the road closures for the event.
However, he didn't recommend a donation, and noted in his report that there were insufficient funds in the Section 356 Donations allocation to provide the full amount requested.
During Wednesday's council meeting, councillors debated whether or not to provide a donation, with a motion to provide a $10,000 donation ultimately voted down.
This was despite some measured encouragement from general manager David Sherley.
"I really think you should consider, potentially, some form of cash contribution. And the reason I say that is, it's an event that is unique, I think it's got a good future, and it's something that won't be able to be duplicated by any other council in this region because no one else has got these facilities," he said.
Some councillors felt the organisers of the event should be trying to fund it entirely through business sponsorship.
"Why is it always council's responsibility? Now, I understand council does a hell of a lot to promote this city, but I think this should be on the businesses," Cr Alex Christian said.
"The business community would happily get behind something like this. If it's deemed a success, as it apparently was last year, then I think the business community would have no dramas with sponsorship, getting the names of their businesses out there."
Cr Bobby Bourke made similar comments and also suggested, given the election is just weeks a way, that a donation could be something decided by a new council.
Cr Christian and Cr Bourke were joined by deputy mayor Monica Morse and councillors Warren Aubin and Graeme Hanger in voting down the donation.
Council did agree to waive the road closure fees up to $2500.
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