Payments allocated to various festivals, events and committees in the Ballina Municipal District will be paid out from next week, following a decision by councillors yesterday to increase parking charges in Ballina town.

An increase of between 5 and 10 cent per hour has been agreed in the various parking zones in Ballina town, and this will allow the GMA funding - which has been delayed by several months - to be paid out to clubs and organisations.

Councillor Michael Smyth, Chair of the Ballina Municipal District, says there will be a minor increase in parking charges to meet the Council's financial committments...