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The Mid Ulster District Council, which intends to roll out a bonfire management policy by 2019, wants feedback.
“The wide-ranging policy sets out the council’s proposed approach to bonfire management, which includes plans to work with local communities to support safe and sustainable celebration events which are family-friendly, as well as an application process where bonfire organisers will seek permission to hold an event and agree to comply with a series of conditions,” said the council when it announced that it will be conducting a consultation on the newly developed policy starting June 04.
According to the council, the proposed process – which will not be operational until July of next year – includes areas such as event management and safeguarding arrangements for bonfires on council property. A pilot is expected for this year’s bonfire season.
Meanwhile a report by The Irish News has zeroed in on insurance, saying bonfire organisers will be responsible for obtaining public liability cover under the council’s policy.
“You cannot expect to run an event and ask the person whose land you are using to provide public liability (insurance),” the report quoted Sinn Féin councillor Brian McGuigan as saying.
The councillor, who sits on the environment committee and bonfire working group, added: “There’s a set of guidelines you have to go by that have to be provided to the insurance company and provided that’s in place they have no issue with it.”
The policy consultation will run for 13 weeks.
