Not enough time to carry out equality screening, say officials
By Iain Gray
NORTH Down’s MP has lashed out at Ards and North Down Council for blocking an Orange Order commemoration of Troubles victims.
The Order’s Bangor District wanted to hold a 15-minute service on September 8, remembering its members who were killed during 30 years of violence.
It was to be held in line with Orange Victims Day, an annual event for the Order that’s now in its seventh year.
According to Alex Easton, however, Ards and North Down Council blocked the move, with local officials stating they wouldn’t have time to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) before the date of the commemoration.
The MP argues that an EQIA shouldn’t be necessary for a remembrance service, pointing out that Ward Park is a public space that’s regularly used by a wide variety of groups – including the Orange Order, who held last year’s Twelfth celebrations there.
Bangor District Master, Gary Taylor, also hit out at local officials, branding their decision ‘discriminatory against our community’.
However, a council spokeswoman stated that the body is legally obliged to ‘promote good relations’, which, she said, includes running ‘third party requests to use public land’ through equality screening.
And as this specific event isn’t part of customary annual remembrance services, the spokeswoman added, it requires ‘distinct and different’ permissions before it can go ahead.
The blocked commemoration was to be one of ‘remembrance and reflection’ of 343 Orange Order members killed during the Troubles, Mr Taylor said, while also aiming to give ‘hope for the future’ to those left bereaved or injured.
But instead of preparing to attend a solemn service, Bangor District members are left feeling ‘deeply dismayed’ by the council’s rejection of the event.
“We believe that Ward Park, as a public space, should be available for use by all members of the community, including Bangor District,” Mr Taylor said.
“Ward Park is utilised every Sunday in July and August for concerts and picnics, but [the council] can’t let Bangor District have an act of remembrance for those who gave their lives.”
Mr Easton accused the council of creating ‘a bureaucratic obstacle that disregards the significance of this event’, maintaining that equality screening isn’t necessary in this case.
“The EQIA process should not be used as an excuse to block a respectful and solemn remembrance service that is vital to our community’s healing and unity,” the Independent Unionist MP said.
“The council must recognise the deep hurt and disappointment this decision will cause to the families of victims, veterans, and the wider community.”
Calling on the council to overturn its decision and allow the service to go ahead, Mr Easton added: “Bureaucratic delays and policy constraints should not be used as a means to prevent our community from paying tribute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
“The memory of innocent victims and the valour of our service members deserve to be honoured without delay or obstruction.”
Initial equality screening of the Orange Order’s request flagged up potential issues impacting ‘the promotion of good relations between persons of different religious beliefs, political opinion or racial groups’, said the council spokeswoman, which meant it would have to go through a full EQIA – which can take some time.
“Due process requires the council to undertake an EQIA,” said the spokeswoman. “Subject to the outcome, permissions may be granted at a later date. This was confirmed to [Bangor District].
“The council assessed this request as distinct and different from permissions provided for other events of broader remembrance or long-established custom and practice.”
