The focus of events that receive funding from Central Otago District Council grants will now be able to be on community rather than visitors.

The council is reviewing how it distributes its annual promotional and community grants across Central Otago and at a meeting yesterday agreed with councillor Shirley Calvert that a change in definition was needed.

With borders closed and visitor numbers low, groups putting on events could apply for funds now without having to prove they could “enhance visitor experience” to the area. The definition would be changed to enhancing “user” experience.

Cr Calvert also asked that council allow more time for groups source information for applications, when it was requested by council during the process, to avoid more incidents such as one where group missed out on funds due to failing to present information on time.

This would be considered by the council in addition to her third request that profits made by groups be permitted to be retained to allow them to be more financially self-sustaining in future.

Unspent grant money that had been given for specific purposes currently is required to be repaid to council and goes back into the community and promotional grant fund but the rules around profits made was less clear.

Cr Tracy Paterson suggested monies should be able to be held over by groups if unspent in the current pandemic situation when cancellations and postponement of events was frequently occurring.

The council were working to simplify the application process for groups so it was clearer and easier to understand, the meeting heard. The new policy would be published on the council’s website once completed.

The grants are distributed via the council’s four community boards in Cromwell, Maniototo, Teviot Valley and Vincent wards. The next round of applications begins in March.