COUNCILLORS in Belfast are to consider reviewing a multi-million-pound fund for community projects following concerns over how money is allocated.
A motion was brought before the council on Wednesday calling for a review of the Local Investment Fund (LIF) and the Belfast Investment Fund (BIF).
It comes after the Audit Office in November told the council to review LIF to "assess and consider the appropriateness and effectiveness of this method of funding projects".
The motion, which was referred to committee, said future council funding should "follow an open process " and have "measurable outcomes".
Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown, who tabled the motion, said: "After the Audit Office report, it is important we find a way forward which protects not only public money but our reputation as elected members and that of the council itself.
"Many of the projects funded by LIF are excellent and this motion did not seek to take issue with them or the councillors who sponsored them but rather the process."
Last year a row erupted over plans to reallocate a £4m funding pot to nine projects in east and west Belfast without a public bid process.
Alliance accused the DUP and Sinn Féin of a "political carve-up" over the City Centre Social Outcomes Fund, but the two parties rejected the criticism, saying the funding will boost tourism.
The Audit Office had been asked by Alliance to examine both LIF and BIF, but the watchdog said BIF has not yet been reviewed as its projects are still to be delivered.
