A DUP proposal to place signs identifying ancient townlands across the borough of Ards and North Down has failed after councillors questioned its costs during financially difficult times for local authorities.
At the recent meeting of the Environment Committee at Ards and North Down Council, a DUP motion failed, as questions were raised by other parties about signage spending in the context of a cost of living crisis and the likelihood of rates hikes across Northern Ireland’s 11 councils next year. Seven councillors from Alliance, the UUP, the Green Party and the SDLP voted against the proposal, with six voting in support from the DUP.
The motion, by DUP Councillor Robert Adair, proposed installing signage identifying the townlands of Ballyblack and Kirkistown on the Ards Peninsula. It also urged commissioning a council officer report to “bring forward proposals to incorporate townland signage across the borough”.
