Antrim & Newtownabbey council to decide on lighting up for Queen’s Jubilee

Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors are to decide on Monday evening whether or not civic buildings in the borough are to be illuminated purple on Feburary 6 to mark the date of the accession of Her Majesty the Queen to the throne.

The issue will be raised at the local authority’s January meeting after Sinn Fein abstained during a vote earlier this month.

The request by Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Working Group has been considered under the council’s Light Up Civic Buildings Policy and was referred to the council’s Light Up Working Group.

Approval of this request requires all five members to agree. Four members approved the request while Sinn Fein abstained. As a result. approval must now be given by the council.k

Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Working Group was set up in June to agree funding opportunities for local community groups.

A community asset is to be named/renamed to include Her Majesty the Queen and schoolchildren in the borough are to receive a commemorative coin.

Glengormley Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Goodman, group leader, said at the time that he could not support the motion and the party would be abstaining as a group.

Both Sinn Fein and SDLP councillors abstained during a vote on the motion proposed by Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop who said it would give the council “a chance to celebrate and recognise a magnificent achievement”.

Councillors have been told that plans are “in development” to deliver high profile events over the Jubilee Weekend from June 2 until June 5 to be “complemented by a range of community led events, which will be delivered over this weekend with the support of a special Platinum Jubilee Community Events Fund”.

Funding applications now open for grants of up to £1,000 available for events such as street parties, picnics, tea dances, dinners or tree planting.