Latest news with #ArdsandNorthDownBoroughCouncil
Belfast Telegraph
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Orange Order to hold commemoration for members who died in Troubles at park cenotaph after £6k equality assessment
In March, unionist councillors expressed outrage at a £6,000 bill for a council equality impact assessment (EQIA) for an Orange Order Troubles dead commemoration in Bangor. Ards and North Down Borough Council received a request from the Bangor District LOL 18 to hold an Orange Order Victims' Day service of commemoration at the Ward Park Cenotaph this Sunday September 7. The council says it will be a religious service at the cenotaph to commemorate the life of all Orangemen/women lost during the Troubles. Approximately 50 to 100 are expected to attend, with members of the district lodge and a band. Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland, to have 'due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations across a range of nine categories outlined in the Act'. The £6,000 screening involved a public consultation, including an online questionnaire, and in paper, available in alternative languages. Following the 12 week EQIA, council officers recommended that the council approve the request to hold the commemoration service, subject to conditions. The EQIA 'conclusions' section states: 'While the Equality Commission is adamant that an EQIA consultation should not be regarded as a referendum or 'head count', the combined weight of evidence from both quantitative and qualitative feedback would indicate significant local endorsement for the event as originally planned and requested. 'Furthermore, the majority of respondents (73.3 per cent) felt that the event should be allowed to proceed with no conditions attached, and that the likelihood of the event having an adverse impact on the promotion of either good relations or equality of opportunity within the Borough was seen by many respondents as low. 'This is not to ignore the minority who indicated concern that the event may have an adverse impact on other users of the park, or that it may serve to harm good relations more generally. 16.7 per cent of respondents (147) felt that If the request is granted, and the event goes ahead, measures should be attached to mitigate potential adverse impacts. This includes respondents generally in favour of the request concerned about adverse publicity and protests at the event.' At the latest meeting of the full Ards and North Down Borough Council at Bangor Castle, DUP Councillor Alistair Cathcart said: 'This equality impact assessment and consultation was unnecessary. I was concerned about the community relations, because putting up barriers and obstacles in front of people for a commemoration for lives lost due to terrorism in the Troubles is a deeply worrying thing. 'But while I disagreed with the decision to hold it, the response was really encouraging, showing broad support from all sections of all communities. We have two visions of a shared future, we could have a sterile shared future, where traditions are ended, and there are no flags or symbols, the kind of approach advocated by the Alliance Party. 'Or we could have a shared future where traditions, backgrounds, flags and symbols are respected, across all communities. That is the Northern Ireland that I want to see. And it is great to see the people of Ards and North Down, in terms of their response to this, show it is where they want to be. From all backgrounds, they do not want to be stopping someone else commemorating those who had lost their lives.' He said: 'A number of years ago, Bangor hosted the Twelfth of July commemorations and the Ulster Fleadh within a week, there were no issues, loads of people came, and it (the Fleadh) was a fantastic event. There was council funding for that (the Fleadh), while my party and all the unionist parties supported the funding for that. 'As Mayor I marched with the Orange on the Twelfth and I really enjoyed every event with the traditional music. That can be one of the confusing things with our identities. I am a unionist and I will never change that, but an evening would be perfect if I can see Ireland smash England in the rugby whilst drinking a Guinness – that doesn't change my unionism.' He successfully proposed the councillor recommendation to approve the use of land requested from the Orange Order. Alliance Councillor Chris McCracken said at the meeting: 'Members of the Bangor District Lodge believe the EQIA process has been excessive. They believe it was a very bureaucratic, time-consuming and costly experience – and I do in this case empathise with their concerns. 'That is not to criticise council officers who have difficult judgment calls to make, and I do support officers in what they are trying to do. It is difficult trying to build a shared society. I think in this case the screening process didn't really fully reflect the nature of the request, which was a religious service by local members of the community to remember victims of the Troubles.' The council's only nationalist representative, SDLP Councillor Joe Boyle, told the chamber: 'I welcome the EQIA. And I get that I am in a largely unionist controlled borough, but people shouldn't be afraid of an EQIA to put the cards on the table, and show that there are other non-unionists. Believe it or not, and small as we are in numbers, but we actually live in this borough as well. 'I have met very fine members of Orange lodges over the years, gentlemen and women, I've worked with them, done business with them. But behind it all, the Orange order is not a perfect organisation. 'They have had their issues, they have had members involved with things they shouldn't have been involved with, acts of murkiness within our Troubles. The reality is it is an anti-Catholic organisation. It is anti my faith, anti what I am and anti who I am. Watch: Planes struggle to land at Belfast City Airport as Storm Floris hits NI 'I operate my life with people from that organisation, who I have to say, don't all agree with the current laws within the Order. Their own view is it has to step up and step out, to modernise itself into an organisation that is not a dated one. 'Imagine you couldn't marry someone because they were Catholic. There is no other organisation I know here where you can't join if you're a Catholic, except the Orange Order. So there are big questions there with the Order.' He added: 'Certainly any grouping should be able to remember their dead in this dirty little war that we had. That is not an issue. But it is an issue for the Orange Order if they want to step up.'
Belfast Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Council agrees new commemoration to UDR soldiers killed in 1990
On April 9, 1990, on the Ballydugan Road near Downpatrick, four UDR soldiers – John Bradley (25), John Birch (28), Stephen Smart (23) and Michael Adams (23) were killed in a 1,000lb IRA landmine attack. At a June meeting of the Ards and North Down Borough Council's Corporate Services Committee, a motion was unanimously agreed, forwarded by independent unionist Steven Irvine and DUP councillor Stephen McIlveen. The motion states the local authority 'recognises the pain and sacrifice felt by their families, comrades, and the wider community, and acknowledges the bravery of these young men who served their country during a difficult period in our history'. It proposes the council 'supports the installation of a fitting and permanent tribute at the Newtownards cenotaph, either through an upgrade to the existing memorial or the addition of a dedicated memorial bench, in memory of these four brave young men'. It requests the council 'engage with the families of the fallen, veteran organisations, and local stakeholders to develop appropriate wording and design for the memorial addition, and to ensure the tribute is carried out with the dignity and sensitivity it deserves – and asks officers to bring a report back with options and costs.' The four men were part of a two-vehicle patrol from Ballykinlar to Downpatrick. A command wire detonated the landmine bomb hidden in a culvert beneath the road. The four men were killed instantly. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it launched the vehicle over a hedge and 30 yards into a field, leaving a crater 15 feet deep. Four UDR soldiers in the lead vehicle were treated for injuries along with two civilians. The April 1990 attack was the worst attack against the UDR since July 1983, when four soldiers of the same regiment were killed in a similar attack near Ballygawley. Councillor Steven Irvine said at the council meeting: 'I was approached before Remembrance Day last year by North Down Football Club, a local football club with strong community ties, to help their efforts to honour these fallen soldiers. I had no hesitation. 'They had already been approached by the UDR Benevolent Fund about tidying up the Ballydugan memorial site, and through that, they met one of the survivors of the attack. A team cleaned the site, laid weed membrane, painted the existing memorial, cut back the trees, and even installed a new paved entrance. 'Downpatrick Royal British Legion then stepped up their support, commissioning a new fence and gate, in a beautiful example of community collaboration and shared remembrance. But it didn't stop there, North Down FC committee members met with the families and survivors, and together they arranged to raise funds for a bespoke memorial bench, crafted by a local company. 'The families' wishes have been central to this effort, and their support means everything. Their commitment is ongoing – with four clean-ups a year, to make sure the memorial is maintained with care, respect and dignity.' He added: 'It is time that this council takes the next step to provide a fitting, permanent tribute at Newtownards cenotaph, through an upgrade to the existing memorial stone, or the installation of a dedicated bench in memory of these four young men.' Elected representatives agreed for council officials to engage with the families, veterans' organisations and other stakeholders, to return to the council with options and costs.
Belfast Telegraph
17-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Calls for thatch training after ‘tiger trap' health and safety risk spotted at NI folk park
One member of the public warned that the 'tiger trap' was spotted at eye height on a property that was first built in the 1850s in Coshkib, Cushendall before being dismantled and moved to the museum in 1965. They said the pegs 'could have taken someone's eye out'. 'It is unbelievable for a thatcher to leave a job that way so someone over 5ft 10 could lose an eye or worse;' they continued. The unimpressed visitor, who spotted the problem last October, informed National Museums NI (NMNI) of the hazards. But after not receiving an initial response they approached the Health and Safety Executive and Ards and North Down Borough Council with concerns. A spokesperson for NMNI, which cares for 24 thatched buildings across its two outdoor museums, insisted swift action was taken. 'In November 2024, following a complaint about exposed pegs on a thatched outbuilding at Coshkib Hill Farm, Ards and North Down Borough Council carried out an inspection,' they said. 'We acted promptly by closing the area in question, and bringing in a specialist contractor to resolve the issue.' But a trained master thatcher with over 30 years' experience in the trade believes more needs to be done to protect the craft in Northern Ireland. Mark Taggart is demanding that museums which don't properly reflect our thatched heritage be held accountable. Mr Taggart said the blame lies with the training provided to those tasked with carrying out specialist work as there is no set specification currently in place when working on thatched roofs. 'It's a real shame that museums like these — which are supposed to be preserving these trades and old traditional skills — are lacking,' he said. 'Of all the places to be correct, it is a shambles that the Ulster Folk Museum are not representing our heritage properly. 'They are not across the (specification) of the methods used as some are spotted as English methods using English tools, not like what way we would have built them here. 'The state of some of the roofs is appalling as well with huge dips in the thatch.' The 59-year-old craftsman said that an official depth specification for working with thatch — which all workmen need to abide by — is the only solution to 'combat cowboy thatchers'. 'This type of thatching really should be lasting longer, not just a couple of years, and the reason it doesn't is all down to who is carrying out the work,' he said. 'Where are they trained? Who is teaching our future thatchers? Who vets the trainers teaching the craft? 'They say the craft is under extreme risk, but it already is, and if nothing is done about it, it will die out. 'I personally believe that these training schools that are currently running and teaching people these skills are sewing the seeds of total destruction of the trade and something needs to be done about it.' A spokesperson for the Department for Communities confirmed that there is 'no dedicated thatch training school in Northern Ireland.' 'However, the department's Heritage Skills Centre at Moira runs heritage skills training and taster days in a range of areas such as thatching,' they added. CITB NI is the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council for Construction. A spokesperson for the body said that 'there is no British Standard governing the specification of work to thatched roofs'. 'Though there are common depths employed for thatch in England, this is not the case in Northern Ireland,' they said. 'The key issue, therefore, in respect of training, is that students are clear on the implications for weathering, loading and longevity of applying different depths of thatch to roofs and that owners are clear on what they are purchasing when work is proposed.' Earlier this month, CITB NI received £739,878 from the National Lottery Fund for their Future for Thatch project which aims to provide a training programme for a new generation of thatchers and support thatched building owners to care for their roofs. The spokesperson continued: 'Depth will form part of the case-by-case specifications for works undertaken as part of the Future for Thatch training programme.' In 2022, the Department for Communities published a report that recorded 186 thatched buildings in Northern Ireland. The survey recorded that 36 of these buildings had metal coverings and that 29 of these sites were in very poor condition.
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
NI rates: Councils raise district rates
All of Northern Ireland's councils have reported their district rate increases for the next City Council has the highest percentage uplift of 5.99%, while Ards and North Down and Causeway Coast and Glens came in the lowest at 3.65%.Each council sets an annual district rate for their area in Northern Ireland. It helps pay for public services and projects such as events, tourism, and waste management. The council fees come in the form of domestic and non-domestic rates, while there is a regional rate set by Stormont. Antrim and Newtownabbey Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has agreed a 4.96% increase to its district rate for equates to an increase of £3.03 per month for an average year, the council applied an increase of 4.97%.The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Neil Kelly, said: "The council is focused on the ongoing 'financial pressures' we are all facing, and we have worked tirelessly to maintain and deliver the most modest increase to the rates." Ards and North Down Ards and North Down Borough Council has agreed an increase of 3.65% to its district rate for amounts to an average increase of £1.75 each month for the average household and an average of £5 per Alistair Cathcart said: "Together, we are building a sustainable borough that we can all be proud of. There is much to be done and much to look forward to in the year ahead."I want to reassure our ratepayers that we will continue to scrutinise council spending. "We remain committed to making further efficiency savings wherever possible while maintaining and enhancing our services and continuing to invest in the borough," he added. Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council has agreed to increase household rates by 3.91%.This amounts to an average increase of £1.81each month for the average a business in the borough with a net asset value of £50,000 the increase is approximately £49 per year, the council applied an increase of 5.17% to the district rates. Belfast City Belfast City Council has agreed to increase household rates by 5.99%.This amounts to an average increase of £2.76 each month for the average household, an average of £45.01 per for an office unit or £36.87 for a retail members also agreed this year's rate could be re-examined - up until the date by which the rates must be legally set (15 February 2025) - in the event of funds coming from the NI Executive to cover increases in National Insurance contributions. Causeway Coast and Glens Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed an increase of 3.65% to its district rate for amounts to an average increase of £1.80 per month for the average household, or £8.98 per month for a business with a net average income of £10,000."Like all businesses and organisations, council faces significant financial pressures, including utility costs, increased insurance costs and high levels of inflation, all of which are putting a considerable strain on revenue," a spokesperson said. Last year, councillors agreed an increase of 6.86% for householders, following a 7.95% the previous year. Derry City and Strabane Derry City and Strabane District Council has agreed a 4.92% increase to its district will see an average rates bill increase by £2.41 per month. District rates will increase by 6.5% in Derry and Strabane District Council last year. A spokesperson said the rates will allow the council to continue to provide "critical frontline services to ratepayers with a clear focus and commitment to protecting jobs as well as the continued provision of funding to organisations who rely on Council support to deliver community services and projects". Fermanagh and Omagh Councillors in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have agreed to a district rate increase of 3.76% for amounts to an average increase of £1.50 each month for the average household and an average of £4.00 per month for businesses. The council said it expects to generate about £45.4m of rates income to support the delivery of services across the district, including developing waste facilities and leisure centre upgrades. Last year, councillors voted for a 4.72% rise. Lisburn and Castlereagh Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council have agreed to increase the district rate, setting by 3.99%. For the average household, this equates to an additional £1.64 per year, the council agreed a 3.98% increase from last year's rates for the of Corporate Services Committee, Councillor Nicholas Trimble, said: "We recognise that real cost of living pressures continue to impact people's everyday lives and we have worked hard try to keep the rate increase as low as possible. "This small increase will allow us to continue to protect essential services and deliver key projects and initiatives that will shape the future of our area and benefit residents for years to come. Mid and East Antrim Mid and East Antrim Borough Council agreed a 3.99% increase for both domestic and non-domestic means the average household rates bill will increase by £3.92 per month and an average of £44 per week for businesses. Last year, average bills rose by £72.03 a year after a rates increase of 9.78% was agreed."After extensive discussions and a review of our budgetary needs, we have worked hard to keep the rate increase as low as possible in light of ongoing financial pressures for Council – including the Employer National Insurance contributions hike announced last year, the sharp decline in our Rates Support Grant by central government and ongoing rising operational costs," a council spokesperson said. Mid Ulster Mid Ulster District Council has agreed a 5.1% increase to its district rates for rise means the average household rates bill will increase by about £1.96 per year, Mid Ulster District Council has agreed to increase household rates by 5.9%, following on from a rise of 7.3% the previous year."The continuing difficult financial climate, unavoidable pressures including a rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions and National Pay Award increases, and significantly, a shortfall in central government funding received by the Council through the Rates Support Grant meant setting a realistic budget that minimised the impact on local people was extremely difficult," a spokesperson said."A proposed mix of savings, efficiencies, and increased income generation has been identified to offset the additional costs and minimise the impact on ratepayers." Newry, Mourne and Down A 3.98% increase in the district rates has been agreed by councillors in the Newry, Mourne and Down equates to an annual increase of £2.06 per month for the average is down from the increase of 5.99% agreed by the council last council's chairperson, Cllr Pete Byrne, said: "In the next financial year we will prioritise the delivery of our front line services, businesses and vulnerable people and strengthen relationships with local stakeholders and funders to work smarter and better for our residents. "To remain responsive to local needs, the Council will proceed to action its ambitious transformational agenda to improve its resilience, efficiency and delivery so that we can continue to get things done even in the most testing of times."
