Langley Township council has rejected a proposed rule that would have required non-profit groups receiving Township of Langley grants to acknowledge the financial support or risk losing the money.
It was the idea of Councillor Charlie Fox, who also wanted a better look at the groups’ behind-the-scenes activities.
The groups should be required to acknowledge the financial support by “displaying the Township logo and appropriate wording” Fox argued, and also be required to list their current executive on their website, to invite Township council to their annual general meetings and to provide a written record of the meeting that includes a financial statement.
If a group doesn’t, they should be denied funding, Fox said.
On Monday (April 14), a majority of council voted against the proposed new rules, with Councillor Kim Richter calling them “mean-spirited” and “vindictive.”
Fox defended his proposal, saying when the Township gives money out, it should insist on accountability.
Council then approved $357,725 in grants to non-profit organizations, including 79 community grants totaling $189,400 and 10 capital improvement grants totaling $63,825.
A Township press release issued Thursday, April 17 noted the 2014 recipients included “service clubs, community and business associations, arts and culture groups, animal care supporters, local social services providers, and organizations that promote health and wellness.”
Beneficiaries included the BC Farm Machinery and Agricultural Museum, Brookswood Seniors Centre, Fort Langley Lions Seniors Hall, and the Langley Playhouse.
The newly-combined Canada Day and Langley’s International Festival will get $15,000, Aldergrove Festival Days gets $10,000, and the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival received $5,000.
Fort Langley, Brookswood, and Aldergrove received $16,500 “to design and install community focused street banners.”
And $35,000 went into the “Nothing Without Effort” beautification campaign.