Derry and Strabane District Council says Mayor's Ball claim is ‘factually incorrect’

Claims that this year’s Mayor’s Charity Ball is costing ratepayers over £25,000 is 'factually incorrect', Derry City and Strabane District Council has said.

Council refuted a wide-circulated social media claim that ratepayers were set to foot the bill for the annual event.

A council spokesperson said the Mayor’s Ball is self-financing with all expenditure covered by ticket sales and external sponsorship with the balance going towards the Mayor’s chosen charity.

There had been some criticism since it was announced that tickets for the Mayor’s Ball will cost £150, which is a 150% increase on tickets for past events.

A council spokesperson said the decision to increase the ticket price was made by the Mayor to help raise additional money for her charity. The ticket price of £150 was set to cover the costs of food, wine and entertainment and to include a donation to the Mayor’s charity.

"In previous years, tickets for the Mayor’s Ball were priced at £60, covering the costs of the event with guests asked to donate to the charity separately. The decision to hold the 2025 Mayor’s Ball to the Everglades Hotel and not the Guildhall was made to facilitate more attendees and again raise the maximum money for charity," the spokesperson added.

An SDLP spokesperson said: “There are currently a number of false claims being circulated online in regards to the upcoming Mayor’s Ball hosted by SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr.

“To be absolutely clear – not a single penny of ratepayers’ money is being used to fund this event, the entire cost of the event will be funded through ticket sales with zero cost to council coffers. 

“It’s extremely disappointing that information around this event was deliberately misrepresented for political purposes.

"Any money raised after event costs will go directly to the Mayor’s chosen charity the BUD Club, a fantastic organisation that supports disabled young people across the council area. That’s where the focus on this event should be.”