article_snippet.sent: Ards Borough Council in Northern Ireland, which will merge with Ards Borough Council neighbouring authority next week, put on the taxpayer-funded dinner to ‘maintain morale’ and to encourage workers to do a good job.
article_snippet.sent: the party is the first Ards Borough Council (offices pictured)  has hosted in recent years, and will be the party last as the local authority no longer exists after a merger with Ards Borough Council (offices pictured)  neighbour .
article_snippet.sent: Ards Borough Council (offices pictured)  recouped £1,920 of the £7,280.85 costs from deposits from workers who attended the party.
article_snippet.sent: The Christmas party is the first the council has hosted in recent years, and will be The Christmas party last as the local authority merged with North Down Borough Council on April 1.
article_snippet.sent: the council said the dinner was ‘a one-off initiative supported by the council to thank staff for The Christmas party dedication and hard work over many years and to acknowledge that this was the last year of Ards Borough Council’.
article_snippet.sent: the local authority merged with North Down Borough Council on April 1 added that funding was approved as ‘the event would maintain morale’ and ‘encourage continued high quality service delivery’.
article_snippet.sent: Staff feasted on a three-course Christmas dinner before moving to the dance floor at the party (file picture) Newry and Mourne Council (offices pictured)
article_snippet.sent: An Ards Borough Council spokeswoman said: ‘An event was hosted to recognise the hard work and dedication over the years of all members of staff in the organisation who had worked tirelessly to maintain the high standards and quality of those living in the Borough of Ards have come to expect.
article_snippet.sent: Due to the reform, morale among staff was low and An event was seen as a way of maintaining morale through a significant period of change.
highlights_snippet.sent: Celebration was to 'maintain staff morale' as Ards Council was closing down .