A controversy over funding for the Queen’s Jubilee has broken out at Ards and North Down Council after certain Orange lodges were refused grants for being “political” organisations.
At the full meeting of Ards and North Down Council this week, a split chamber voted to change the rules of jubilee funding applications to allow two orange lodges the money - controversially after the application process had already ended.
Last month the council put aside £40K for jubilee funding, with £35K towards the grants scheme and £5K for official bunting and party materials. A council report states the 5K would be made available “to groups who were deemed ineligible to apply for more substantial funding, for example un-constituted groups, religious organisations etcetera.”
