Ards and North Down Council goes against its own policy over funding to orange lodges

Ards and North Down Borough Council has decided to allow local orange lodges to apply for funding despite the move being contrary to its own policy and the recommendations of its officers.

At the last full meeting of Ards and North Down Council before the May elections, unionist elected representatives pushed through a decision to allow Comber District Loyal Orange Lodge and Bangor District Loyal Orange Lodge to apply for up to £20,000 each from the Ards and North Down Events and Festivals Fund.

This is despite council officers recommending elected representatives to reject the request from both lodges, as the applications were “ineligible for scoring.”