Political leaders in South Yorkshire sign off funding package for scandal-hit Welcome to Yorkshire behind closed doors
and live on Freeview channel 276
Sheffield City Region, along with contributions from Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley councils, agreed to hand the cash-strapped organisation £300,000 of public money.
The decision was made in private and the public and press were not allowed to listen to the debate and decision over the move at a recent mayoral combined authority meeting.
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Hide AdWelcome to Yorkshire requested around £1.4 million in a bailout package from the region’s councils due to financial problems.
Many have obliged but three councils in North Yorkshire have refused. The Trade Union Congress has also said councils should not be bailing out the body and the Government should be left to pick up the bill.
The tourism board was thrown into disarray after investigations found lavish expenses were filed without receipts and staff felt unable to speak out about bad behaviour following bullying allegations.
Former boss, Sir Gary Verity resigned on health grounds. He denies any wrongdoing.
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Hide AdThe body promotes the county’s tourism offer and was instrumental in bring a stage of the Tour de France to many parts of the region.
A spokesman for the Sheffield City Region, said: “The mayoral combined authority conditionally agreed a contribution to the 2020/21 operating costs of Welcome to Yorkshire of £300,000.
"This was subject to contributions from other local authorities in Yorkshire, greater financial oversight, and the production of a business plan showing how Welcom to Yorkshire will secure their long term financial self-sustainability.”