Organisers of events receiving grants from the Dunedin City Council have had one pressure point eased.
A requirement that they return any unspent funds within a year of receiving the money has been suspended, because of Covid-19.
The council’s grants subcommittee has been given delegated authority to determine time periods for spending unallocated funds until October.
The council had received regular requests from groups wanting to retain funding as they rescheduled events to a time when they could be run more safely.
A need to postpone or redesign events had affected most 2021-22 recipients of money for major community grants and premier events.
Dunedin deputy mayor Christine Garey said event organisers had sometimes shifted dates multiple times.
Cr Steve Walker said Covid-19 had put many arts and events organisations into a state of flux and under stress.
The change to the rules would allow for flexibility.
