Council reviews lighting up policy after Black Lives Matter proposal

The decision was taken at the July meeting of Council’s policy and resource committee.

The item was on the agenda thanks to a proposal raised at June’s monthly meeting of Mid Ulster District Council.

Councillor Malachy Quinn, Chair of the policy and resources committee, had requested Council light up its buildings in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

During the meeting it was deemed Council’s policy did not cover the request as the movement/organisation is sited outside of Mid Ulster.

Currently, council’s policy aims to ensure opportunities are available for charitable organisations to promote their particular cause through illuminating Council properties across Mid Ulster district, and that requests are processed in a fair and consistent manner.

Addressing the committee Cllr Quinn said: “Several councils have lit up their buildings for Black Lives Matter and I do think that we need to review the policy to allow certain statements to be made on behalf of the council.

“It would be very rare but Council does need scope to allow ourselves to have the freedom to do that.”

Noting that the policy is due for review, Sinn Fein Councillor Dominic Molloy said the review should be carried out.

The committee’s Deputy Chair, Councillor Derek McKinney made the point that all lives matter.

“I want to reiterate that all lives matter,” he said. “What happened was a tragedy, the loss of any life is a tragedy that inlcudes those who are born and those who are not born.

“But this proposal may be discriminating someone of a different colour so when the review takes place we need to be very careful going forward.”

Before drawing discussion to a close, the Chair of the committee let DUP group leader Councillor Paul McLean ask what process the review would take.

“I have concerns about what we do,” said Cllr McLean. “I have read through the whole policy and believe we need to be very careful about what we do as we could be opening up a can of worms.

“We could leave ourselves in a position where we will have to make decisions on behalf of the organisation concerning political themes or religious views.

“Keeping it to the charitable status I think was reasonable and a wise decision made by the council previously and therefore I am asking how is the review carried out?”

Council’s Chief Executive Anthony Tohill confirmed it was for council to form a working group of members. He also confirmed that the committee could make the decision regarding the formation of a working group at this meeting.

As the matter was opened to the floor, Councillor Dominic Molloy said most working groups are made up of 10 members and he would propose that this matter was dealt with in the same way.

This proposal was seconded by Councillor McLean and it was confirmed that members of the working group will be devised by the d’Hondt method – the same method used for other working groups on council.