Sinn Féin to challenge council's decision on Easter Rising funding

Cllr Anne Marie Logue has said that Sinn Féin intends to challenge a decision made by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council not to fund events marking the centenaries of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme on an equal basis.
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Latest council news.

Cllr Logue said: “Last week the council decided to offer £10,000 to groups celebrating the Easter Rising and £50,000 to groups marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

“We have decided to challenge the decision by the council under Local Government Act 2014 in that the decision taken will disproportionately affect those people from a nationalist community background who live within the borough and have a legitimate expectation that the council will deliver services in an equal and unbiased way.

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“In the Equality Scheme for Antrim and Newtownabbey District Council, it states that ‘we are committed to the fulfilment of our Section 75 obligations in all parts of our work.’ The decision taken on February 29 is in direct conflict with this statement.

Cllr Anne Marie Logue. INNT 11-802CONCllr Anne Marie Logue. INNT 11-802CON
Cllr Anne Marie Logue. INNT 11-802CON

“We believe that, in keeping with its earlier decision to fund Somme anniversary events, council should have agreed to the £40,000 funding proposal for both council led and community led Easter Rising commemorative programmes.”