Causeway Coast and Glens Council approve leisure centre discounts for armed forces and 'blue lights' personnel
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has greenlit plans to offer discounted leisure services to current and former Armed Forces members.
During November’s Council meeting, Deputy Mayor and UUP Alderman, Sandra Hunter, successfully proposed the local authority “extend the commitments contained within the Council’s Armed Forces Covenant”, by introducing a bespoke council leisure discount scheme for employees of recognised emergency blue light services, serving members of the Armed Forces, reservists, and veterans.
Alderman Hunter said the proposed discounts would allow the borough to recognise people who have sacrificed “family time, personal comfort, and in some cases their own safety”.
“If we cannot recognise those who have worn the uniform of our nation and stood ready to defend our freedoms then who can we recognise?” she asked.
“We rightly honour them at remembrance services and Armed Forces events, but gratitude should be more than words delivered once a year. This motion turns recognition into action.
“It’s not about special treatment, it’s about honouring exceptional service [and] giving practical effect to the commitments that this council has already made through the Armed Forces Covenant. Let us show that our commitment is genuine, and we truly value those who serve.”
Sinn Féin councillor Kathleen McGurk opposed the motion saying: “There will no doubt be other, very worthy groups that come forward looking for a similar scheme to be introduced, and I don’t think that doing this in a piecemeal way is the right way forward for council.”
Alderman Hunter’s motion passed with SDLP with Sinn Féin representatives voting against, Alliance members abstaining, and all other members voting in favour.