Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council: Preliminary Consultation
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is undertaking an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on a proposal submitted to install a commemorative plaque to Mark Ashton within Portrush Town Hall.
The purpose of this consultation is to gather proportionate, balanced and representative feedback to inform the assessment of equality impacts, good relations considerations and any mitigation or enhancement measures. Responses will be analysed alongside existing evidence including consultation submissions, demographic data and stakeholder engagement already received.
The proposed plaque would be installed in Portrush Town Hall. The wording proposed is:
“In Memory of Mark Ashton (1960–1987) Political Activist, Humanitarian, and Co-Founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) Born in Oldham, Raised in Portrush “One community should give solidarity to another.”
The application received states that the aim of the proposed plaque is,
‘To honour the life and legacy of Mark, a political activist and co-founder of LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners). The plaque would serve as a permanent tribute to his contributions to social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and solidarity movements in the UK and internationally.’
This is a preliminary consultation to help inform the Equality Impact Assessment. The preliminary consultation can be accessed here: Preliminary Consultation
Formal consultation will take place later in the year. Please respond by 21 September 2026 to Tony Steed at steed1999_steed99@yahoo.com or Dorothy McKee at dorothy@dorothymckee.com.