Stafford Pride refute claims of tax-payer funding

Stafford Pride have released a statement refuting the claims made by the new Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Councillor Ian Cooper, that the local Pride event is funded by tax payers.

Councillor Cooper has stated that although he supports Stafford Pride, he does not believe that tax payers should fund the event. Stafford Pride countered that the event was far from funded by tax payers. Ian Cooper made statements in an interview with ITV Central, that Stafford Pride was funded by tax payer money, saying that the event should approach the private sector instead, and “put their hands in their own pockets”.

In their statement, Stafford Pride explained that in 2024, four sitting County Councillors (Councillors Hood, Cllr Price, Cllr Edgeller, and Cllr Trowbridge) used part of their Community Fund to support the 2024 event, totalling a donation of £1700, as the event matched and fit criteria as set out under the Council's Community Fund. The event itself, however, cost well over £35,000 to run. So, while "the donation was appreciated" it "went far from the total of hosting the event."

The statement continues: "In further support, Amey, as a private company arranged for our road closure for our parade to be done as a donation to the event.

“Staffordshire County Council as a local authority did not pay or fund Stafford Pride apart from the aforementioned, and Councillor Cooper should not make such comments without doing his homework first and without evidence. His comments are defamatory and damaging to the hard work put in by our volunteers.

"Stafford Pride stands by each and every member of the LGBTQ+ community and is self-funded by local businesses, ticket sales, local small grants including support from Stafford Borough Council with services in kind, and all proceeds funding next year's event.

"We wait for an apology from Councillor Cooper and his amendment on the record in due course."