CITY leaders will direct unused cash to the benefit of an event set to light-up Carlisle as well as pathway improvements in Longtown.
Carlisle’s City of Lights event is set to return over three evenings in October: Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday October 23.
Landmarks like the cathedral, Tullie House and Carlisle Castle will shine with an impressive lights display that celebrates the area’s Roman heritage.
And the event is set to benefit from a cash boost from Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Carlisle.
The committee met in Harraby last week, asked to agree funding allocations from its budget.
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Carlisle’s Area Manager, Paul Musgrave suggested that unused funds be allocated to two good causes.
He said: “We’ve got some underspends from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund in respect of the Hadrian’s Wall bus service and community events.
“So there is a proposal that those funds be reallocated to a footpath improvement scheme for Longtown which was developed by the Countryside Access Team when we first got the COMF funds and it’s one that dropped-off the radar really.
“And another amount would be allocated towards the City of Lights festival next month. Which would be used to enhance the programme quite significantly. You’ve all seen the lighting that’s been used over the weekend to commemorate Her Majesty, so it is a very good scheme and I think it’ll enhance that for the Festival of Lights.”
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Chairman Cyril Weber suggested how the funds could be split to award a portion of funding the improvement of disabled access at the new Swifts Nature Reserve, transformed from a former golf driving range.
“There’s £6,800 for Longtown, £6,428 for the City of Lights and £5000 towards the disabled access that goes across The Swifts. I would suggest that, I think the disabled access is required and it’s an opportunity to do that work.”
The committee has also awarded funds to community organisations to support them in the current financial crisis.
Mr Musgrave said: “I just want to point-out the grants that have been made to organisations, supporting people with the cost-of-living crisis. Those funds have been agreed and gone-out and are being used as we speak.
“The organisations in receipt of those grants are extremely grateful for those.”
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