Financial assistance for each community group that signs up to a bonfire management programme run by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council will increase by £500 this year.
The council’s Community Planning Committee, which met at Mossley Mill on Monday evening, has agreed a grant of £3,500 each will be provided to participants for a family fun day/festival activities in each area. Twenty-two community groups are expected to participate in this year’s scheme.
Recent discussions with bonfire representatives have indicated increased costs of insurance and equipment. Inspection dates by council staff and statutory bodies of each site have been agreed. A visit will take place by council staff on May 11, followed by the first inspection in June 1 with the second on June 22 and a third on July10.
Read more: Two NI visitor attractions to be investigated for 'paranormal activity'
Site inspections involve the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Housing Executive, PSNI and council. Two representatives from each site have been invited to attend a four-week accredited course in events management.
Speaking at the committee meeting, Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop said he welcomed new groups “coming on board” and that council officers have listened to concerns about insurance costs.
Glengormley SDLP Cllr Noreen McClelland asked what safety measures are in place for bonfires that are built on council land to prevent serious incidents.
An officer said: “We are aware of what happened in Mid and East Antrim Council area in 2022. We are actively working on the ground on a range of initiatives to engage with bonfire builders, particularly on those sites, to minimise risk.
“Council has extensive public liability insurance. We will be making sure that insurance provides adequate cover.”
A tragic accident claimed the life of Larne man John Steele who had been helping with the construction of a bonfire in the town’s Antiville estate.
Dunsilly Alliance Cllr Jay Burbank asked what the council does to “incentivise groups to join the management programme”.
He was told: “There is a financial incentive to any one who signs up to the protocol. Relationships have been built up over a number of years with the community development team. We would welcome more groups to sign up to the protocol. The financial incentive is quite significant.”
Commenting on the wording of the officer’s recommendation in a report to the committee, Macedon Alliance Cllr Billy Webb stated: “We do not fund bonfires nor do we fund bonfire sites. We fund celebration events on the Eleventh night.”
He asked for the wording to be changed to read “for Eleventh night celebration events”.
“Financial assistance is provided for family fun events,” he added.
READ NEXT:
Belfast rates debate marred by argument over bonfire diversionary fund
The UFO sightings reported to police in Northern Ireland last year
Co Antrim councillors to consider request for paranormal investigations
Mystery-horror movie to start filming in Belfast later this month
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here.To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
