9.    Decision of Council

When the consultation period had concluded the draft EQIA report was revised to reflect the comments made by consultees and a workshop for Councillors was held on 19th October 2022 to inform Members of the contents of the final draft EQIA report and allow for discussion on the findings.

The final draft report was then placed before the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for consideration on 25th October 2022.  Following discussion, the Committee agreed:

“To recommend that the Union flag is flown 365 days a year at the following locations Coleraine Town Hall, Cloonavin Council Headquarters, Limavady Office (Connell St), Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Ballymoney Town Hall, Riada House and Portrush Town Hall.”

Minutes of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee are ratified by full Council and the minutes of this discussion were therefore tabled for adoption at the Council meeting on 1st November 2022. 

At that meeting a proposal was put forward that there be “no change to the current policy of Council in relation to the flying of the Union Flag”. 

Seventeen Councillors voted for this proposal and 22 voted against and the proposal fell.  The recommendation regarding the proposed policy on the flying of the Union Flag was then adopted via the formal adoption of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee minutes by Council.

Following this decision, a “Call In” was submitted by a number of Councillors which resulted in reconsideration of the proposed policy by Council at its meeting on 10th January 2023 following receipt of legal advice. 

Following discussion at this meeting the Mayor put reconsideration of the decision to a vote and 21 Members voted For, 15 Members voted Against, and 1 Member Abstained.  Reconsideration of the decision was upheld, and the Council therefore adopted the proposal that:

“The Union flag is flown 365 days a year at the following locations Coleraine Town Hall, Cloonavin Council Headquarters, Limavady Office (Connell St), Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Ballymoney Town Hall, Riada House and Portrush Town Hall.”