Northern Ireland

Audit Office 'satisfied' with council's policy change after DUP dinner probe

The DUP's Ian Paisley speaking to the media after his re-election as MP in North Antrim in December. Picture by Niall Carson/PA
The DUP's Ian Paisley speaking to the media after his re-election as MP in North Antrim in December. Picture by Niall Carson/PA The DUP's Ian Paisley speaking to the media after his re-election as MP in North Antrim in December. Picture by Niall Carson/PA

THE Audit Office says it is "satisfied" with a council's relaxation of its events spending policy after breaking its own rules in paying £1,500 towards a DUP dinner hosted by Ian Paisley.

A year ago the watchdog found Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) breached its policy as it had a spending limit of £500 on attending gala dinners or events.

It issued several recommendations including that the council should consider amending its policy.

In response, MEABC removed the spending limit and also allowed senior staff to decide on payments for future events involving officials without seeking councillors' approval.

Most councillors backed the decision, but some criticised the move and warned it meant "much less transparency" over public spending.

MEABC and another council each paid £1,500 to attend the 2017 event in Ballymena which featured then British government environment secretary Michael Gove.

The payments are being investigated by the Electoral Commission because they are being treated as 'donations' to North Antrim MP Mr Paisley and councils are not considered "permissible donors".

The Northern Ireland Audit Office last year said MEABC's policy change would be reviewed as part of its 2018/19 audit.

Asked for the outcome of this review, the watchdog said it was "satisfied that the recommendations had been actioned".

"Following the 2017/18 audit of Mid and East Antrim Council, the local government auditor recommended that the council should consider amending its policy on attendance at gala dinners and events. These recommendations were accepted by the council," a spokesman said.

"Progress was reviewed as part of our 2018/19 audit, and we were satisfied that the recommendations had been actioned in the year.

"The 'Elected Member and Officer Attendance at Events – Guidelines' document was reviewed and approved at the council meeting on March 4 2019.

"The checklist that accompanies these guidelines includes a section that considers the political impact of any funding."

SDLP councillor Eugene Reid said "lessons must be learned" from the DUP dinner controversy.

"We must ensure that any event the council pays for is value for money for ratepayers," he said.

"At a time where people across Mid and East Antrim are struggling, we must keep the discretionary spend at a minimum and spend hard-earned ratepayers' money on providing high-quality services."