The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has called on everyone to celebrate Easter safely this year.

Opening the full Council meeting held on Tuesday 30th March 2021, Alderman Mark Fielding said Council, alongside the PSNI and Translink, was urging people to follow public health advice during the holiday period.

Further to this, he added: “Just last week, Council took part in a poignant Day of Reflection to remember lives lost in the pandemic and show our support for the bereaved by lighting Cloonavin up in yellow light. One year on since the first lockdown, restrictions and the roll-out of the vaccine are making a difference but we’re not safe yet and we cannot compromise at this point.

“Easter is a very special time of year but please celebrate safely at home, in line with the restrictions, to ensure you’re doing all you can to protect yourself, your family and your loved ones.”

The Mayor has also encouraged the public to support Council’s virtual approach to Ballymoney Spring Fair which begins on Thursday (April 1st) when the first video in a three-part series will be shared online.

All videos will be shared here at 4pm every day.

At the Council meeting, members ratified the following decisions:

Environmental Services

Continue to support food businesses by waiving the fee for a Pavement Café Licence from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022 and withdraw any proposed legal proceedings for pavement café licencing breaches detected during the period 1st July 2020 to 31st December 2020 so as not to impose an additional burden on business at this time.

Adopt a fly-tipping protocol between the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Council, when investigating and dealing with complaints of fly-tipping. This will provide clarity over working arrangements which is vital to efficient and effective services for the public.

Address unauthorised parking at Lansdowne Green in Portrush which has caused significant ground damage by creating a grass bank around the perimeter, incorporating access points to allow for controlled parking for Council events to take place.

Actively plan ahead to increase burying capacity throughout the Borough by exploring options to purchase land adjacent to the existing Coleraine and Ballymoney cemetery sites for future development subject to planning approval, while also looking at options for Ballycastle and Portstewart.

Explore where available dedicated green space areas could be provided for dog parks in the Borough. (Notice of Motion proposed by Alderman Fielding seconded by Alderman Robinson)

Leisure and Development

Approve the allocation of the Tourism Events Recovery Fund, developed as an alternative approach for 2021/22 to assist event organisers who want to run their event in full or in a reduced capacity in 2021 as well as those who are postponing their plans.

Approve a revised delivery of Council-led events in 2021 with a virtual focus for events due to take place between now and August.

Appoint The Glens of Antrim Historical Society as the preferred candidate for the provision of Visitor Information Services in the Glens (subject to clarification of all requested information and agreement on the terms and conditions of contract).

Approve the assertion of a proposed Public Right of Way at Clare Park, Ballycastle, subject to a signed Public Right of Way Assertion Statement.

Provide free sanitary products in Council’s leisure centres on a one-year trial basis in order to assess the viability of implementing the ‘On the Ball’ campaign against period poverty across all Council offices, sport and leisure facilities. The trial will include Roe Valley Leisure Centre, The Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Coleraine Leisure Centre, Sheskburn House, The Jim Watt Leisure Centre and Dungiven Sports Centre.

Progress plans for a Coleraine bomb memorial by approving facilitation and engagement with family members, victims and survivors.

Progress with the repair and renewal of Larchfield Play Park in Kilrea with the appointment of a play equipment provider.

Notice of Motion

During the meeting, the Mayor allowed a Notice of Motion, proposed by Councillor Michelle Knight McQuillan, seconded by Alderman Sharon McKillop, to be heard as urgent business:

'That this council recognises women’s concerns across the UK and ROI after the disappearance and subsequent murder of Sarah Everard which has placed a spotlight on the safety of women and girls. This council calls upon the Northern Ireland Assembly to initiate a violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, commits to endorse and promote the Woman’s Aid petition calling for a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to be implemented, and forms a task force to develop a publicity campaign promoting safety apps and engages with the PSNI, Woman’s Aid and Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland.’

The Motion was passed unanimously.

As per normal Council procedures, all decisions are subject to the ‘call-in’ process.

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