Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors to review bonfire programme after 'progress halted'
Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors agreed to a review of the council’s bonfire management programme during a meeting of the Community Development Committee.
An update presented by officers on the delivery of this year’s programme said “progress has halted”.
A committee report stated five of the 21 participating sites were “identified by the PSNI as having ‘hate crime’ flag burning or other offensive displays”.
Last year, flags were burned at four bonfire sites – Neillsbrook where two Irish flags were set alight; Doonbeg in the Rathcoole estate where three Irish flags were burned; Rathmullan Drive, Rathcoole where an EU flag was burned and Ballycraigy, in Antrim. where a flag representing four Irish provinces was burned. All sites were participating in the council’s bonfire management programme.
Asbestos was found by a contractor in bonfire remains at the Neillsbrook site in Randalstown.
The committee report said this year’s bonfire management programme, which cost an estimated £171,000 to deliver, with £60k provided by the Housing Executive, is “no longer delivering against its stated aims and objectives”.
The report stated the aim of the programme is to “work with and support local communities to bring about improvements in bonfire management, particularly in terms of inclusivity, safety and an increased family atmosphere” as well as to “further reduce the adverse health and environmental impacts including the illegal disposal of waste”.
In the longer term, it “aims to reduce the use of flags, images and effigies, tackle sectarianism, racism, homophobia and other forms of prejudice and promote wider cultural links throughout the borough”.
The PSNI reported “a variety of issues relating to the erection/display of racist/sectarian materials and flag burning” at Rathcoole, Doonbeg; Rathcoole, Dunanney Centre; Neilsbrook Community Centre, Randalstown; Carnmoney Hillside, Rathfern and Abbeytown Square, Monkstown.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service reported being called to four incidents in the borough, the most serious of which was reportedly at Doonbeg, Rathcoole, where firefighters were required to hose residential properties “at risk of fire due to the proximity of a large bonfire”, the report noted.
The report also indicated “given the absence of legislation in relation to bonfires the council’s insurers have advised that the council’s insurance cover does not extend to any incidents or issues relating to bonfires and bonfires taking place on council-owned land and are therefore presently an uninsured risk to the council”.
It was noted bonfires are held on council-owned land at Doagh, (Anderson Playpark/MUGA) – bonfire; Erskine and Rashee (Erskine Playpark) – beacon; Rathcoole (Peoples Park) – bonfire; Rathcoole (Dunanney Centre) – bonfire; Rathfern (Carnmoney Hillside ) – bonfire; Randalstown (Neilsbrook Community Centre) – bonfire.
The report stated Ballyduff and Ballycraigy sites in Newtownabbey and Antrim respectively have withdrawn from the programme. Three participants did not hold a fire, six had a beacon and 12 had a traditional bonfire.
Family fun events to the value of £3,500 each are organised by council officers in association with participating site representatives although groups do not receive any funding directly.
Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM proposed accepting the recommendation to note the update on the delivery of this year’s programme with a review to be carried out and recommendations to be brought back to a future meeting of the committee, seconded by party colleague Macedon Cllr Matthew Brady.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter