Mid and East Antrim: Strategic review of programme agreed following claims of 'very poor' number of events
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s civic events programme has been criticised by councillors at a recent meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee.
Committee chair Carrickfergus Castle DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE described the number of events listed in the six-month report as “very poor”.
Party colleague Knockagh Councillor Marc Collins noted a “lack of events compared to legacy councils”.
“It is really frustrating, because during every rates-setting, the events budget is an easy target to shave off a couple of grand. It will impact quite heavily on events we can deliver.”
Cllr Collins asked for an overall review of all events adding: “We want to be involved more with organising events and having more of a say.”
Director of People Matt McDowell said he was committed to a strategic review including events delivered internally and civic events.
Ald Ashe said: “As a seaside town, we need activities. Prior to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the council would have had something starting from Easter. The whole idea was to have the town looking good for the start of the tourist season and something on each week.”
He recalled the establishment of the Siege of Carrickfergus re-enactment and teddy bears’ picnic events in the town.
“The idea is about footfall around town centres. I think we have forgotten that. It is a tick box exercise now. We very seriously need to get back to brass tacks,” he stressed.
A committee report said “a diverse programme of major events” has been successfully delivered during the current financial year, including a ‘Ballymena 400’ parade, park day and fireworks; ‘Siege of Carrickfergus’; ‘Friends Goodwill Music Festival’ in Larne, outdoor theatre performances and summer band concerts which attracted 11,800 attendees overall.
It noted the programme until March 2027 has been designed to “provide a balanced spread of activity across the borough”. Halloween events are planned in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena to include family entertainment, fireworks and street theatre.
Larne Lough Alliance Cllr Maeve Donnelly asked about the potential use of silent fireworks. She was advised 92 per cent of people favour traditional displays. Cllr Donnelly asked when the next survey would take place.
A Christmas programme in the borough’s three towns will comprise of festive parades, Christmas light switch-ons, “community performances and family activities”. This year’s Christmas programme in Carrickfergus will also include illumination of the Civic Centre and an additional Christmas tree.
The schedule of events for the remainder of the financial year was approved by councillors who also agreed to a strategic review of the council’s corporate and civic events functions.
The report said the programme will “continue to deliver a range of commemorative, educational and community focused activities throughout the borough including remembrance, events, veterans’ programmes, heritage initiatives and Democracy Week activities.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has approved a Christmas programme of festive civic switch-on events at a cost of £101k.
Last year, councillors rejected a recommendation by officers to switch to three flagship events – in Antrim town centre, V36 at the Valley andBallyclare – amid concerns over potential impact on shops and facilities that rely on footfall, loss of community spirit and “public relations disaster”.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter