Derry bonfire scheme cut with no alternative in place in most areas of the city

Derry City and Strabane District Council will challenge the Education Authority's (EA) decision to only fund a bonfire-discouragement scheme in one area of the district this year.

The Bogside will get a ‘youth cultural expression programme’ this year to replace the SPARK programme, which had its funding cut by the EA.

Creggan, Tullyalley, Glen and Top of the Hill also benefited from SPARK last year but will not have an alternative this year.

SPARK aimed to take a long-term youth work approach to prevent young people getting involved in bonfires. It was intended to be a year-round process, beginning before issues arose rather than taking a ‘reactionary’ approach.

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney brought the motion and said he wanted to see programmes rolled out to combat all ‘contentious’ bonfires in the district.

“I want to be clear I'm not criticising the Bogside for getting this particular programme – I think it's great that there's something there to replace the sparks programme,” he said.

“There are other areas in this city and district where there are unwanted bonfires and in my opinion, the one in my own area of Galliagh is the most contentious bonfire that we have.

“What I want to know is, why is there only one, in this particular council area when we have multiple unwanted bonfires, and we have had multiple organisations over the last number of years from DEAs across this district which were engaging young bonfire builders in the sparks programme.”

Cllr Tierney said he wants to see the programme replaced as a matter of urgency.

“Anyone who's been working in and around bonfires knows the funding for these particular opportunities to attract young people away from that negative behaviour needs to start earlier, the sooner the better. It's already in my view too late but the sooner the better.

“I would beg your indulgence, Mayor, on this particular occasion, given the timeframe that we're on, to accept this proposal and allow officers to engage with EA as a matter of urgency.”

He also asked if the council was consulted by EA about the rollout of the new programme. The Council Director said she was not aware of any consultation.

Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy seconded the motion and said the council needs to do more in combating 'illegal fires'.

“Let's call them what they are, they're illegal fires,” Cllr Duffy said. “We do need to be doing more to address them. We have tried over many, many, many, many years, to address some of the ones in our own particular backyard and have had limited success in different years.

“I think that there are many issues around the illegal fires that need to be addressed, not least of all the criminal behaviour around some of them. But happy to work with this motion and work with the Bonfire Working Group in relation to it.”

DUP Alderman Niree McMorris also endorsed the proposal. She said SPARK was a valuable project for areas in the Waterside.

“It was rolled out with EA last year, and it is disappointing that that's not been rolled out or certainly there's no replacement for it.

“We're happy to support that and just reiterate the importance that these kinds of projects have around this time of year and whilst we have different opinions about bonfires I think it is a valuable service within our communities. And not only in the Waterside, the city and Strabane,” Ald McMorris said.

The motion passed unanimously.