There were concerns that rejecting a proposal to allow a pride event to be held in Lurgan Park would get ABC Council into a hot water.
Despite a lengthy and heated debate the proposal to allow Lurgan Pride to conclude its summer event in Lurgan Park was narrowly passed by Council.
Earlier this month, a report was tabled at the Council’s Environmental Services meeting in relation to a request from Lurgan Pride to use Lurgan Park for an event on Saturday, 16 August from 1pm to 6pm.
Since that meeting, the matter has drawn interest in the public domain, with press coverage both locally and in the Belfast Telegraph and The Irish News.
At the committee meeting, comments were made about Lurgan Pride excluding some political parties from the proposed event.
Following the meeting, the event organisers informed council officers that at no time had they stated that any person or group would not be welcome to attend Lurgan Pride. The organisers also informed officers that all persons were welcome, regardless of community background or political party, to both march in the parade and enjoy the celebrations in the park.
The organisers said that Executive Parties would not, however, be welcome to fly party banners, placards or flags during the parade.
At the meeting, DUP Alderman Stephen Moutray proposed that the Council not accede to this request. This was seconded by Alderman Greenfield.
Sinn Féin Councillor Keith Haughian also sought clarity from officers on whether the Council would be contravening any equality laws by rejecting the request, or whether it was completely in members’ hands as a personal choice.
Councillor Haughian also asked if acceding to this request would place the Council in a difficult position.
A proposal was made by Alderman Moutray, seconded by Alderman Paul Greenfield, that the decision on whether the Council should accede to the request be deferred until the full Council meeting on Tuesday, 27 May, to enable further legal advice to be sought.
Since the meeting, officers have considered the matter further and have sought legal advice.
That legal advice stated that ABC Council does not currently have an established policy outlining criteria for hiring Council-owned premises or specifying types of events that will not be considered.
Additionally, there is no appeal mechanism in place for instances where the Council refuses a request to hire premises.
However, there are by-laws and terms and conditions that apply to the use of the park. These include requirements for insurance to be held and compliance with various legislation. Therefore, each request to hire Council premises should be evaluated based on its individual merits.
Furthermore, any decision to refuse a lawful event hosted by a lawful organisation — where there is evidence it will be well run and managed (e.g. insurance and sound event planning) — may be vulnerable to legal challenge without an agreed, rational policy in place prohibiting it.
This is the first time Lurgan Pride has requested to hire Lurgan Park. No information has been provided by Lurgan Pride, or identified by officers, to indicate that the event will be unlawful or poorly managed.
During Tuesday night’s meeting, DUP Alderman Mark Baxter questioned why there was no policy in place and argued: “It was always my view in the 14 years that I’ve been in council that you weren’t allowed to hold political speeches or political rallies within the public park — it had to be behind closed doors.”
He added: “That has been custom and practice here throughout all my time, so we have a lot more questions than we have answers. We don’t actually have a policy on it; we have custom and practice.”
Alderman Baxter said the Council should defer their decision until further legal advice had been sought and asked for a workshop to be organised to thrash out any issues.
Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery hit back at Alderman Baxter, stating his proposal was “a load of rubbish”.
“We do have a policy in place,” said Councillor Lavery. “[Lurgan Pride] has filled in the required forms. They’ve dotted all the I’s, crossed all the T’s. They have done everything required. They provided the additional advice to officers. We have received fair legal advice, so as far as I’m concerned, my proposal is a lawful one.
“I would be concerned that if anyone did vote against this lawful, legal proposal, they’ll get themselves and this organisation into a lot of legal bother.”
Following a 30-minute discussion away from the public gaze, the meeting resumed and a recorded vote was taken.
A proposal to allow the event as planned was passed on a vote of 16 to 14, with seven members abstaining.
Speaking after the meeting, Sinn Féin councillor Catherine Nelson said: “I welcome the decision to allow Lurgan Pride to proceed as planned this summer, including finishing the event in Lurgan Park, building on the success of last year’s Pride.
“Despite obstructionist tactics from the DUP and TUV, legal advice was clear — there was no lawful reason to deny Lurgan Pride’s request to use the park.
“Pride is a positive celebration of our LGBTQIA+ community. It’s a time to come together, promote equality and embrace the rich diversity within our community.”
Alliance Councillor Lavery, also speaking afterwards, said: “I am overjoyed that Alliance’s proposal to host Lurgan Pride in Lurgan Park has been approved by ABC Council.
“Yearly Pride events recognise the valuable contribution of our LGBTQ+ citizens, and offer an important opportunity for people to celebrate who they are and who they love.
“The DUP and TUV’s campaign to exclude Lurgan Pride from accessing council facilities was shameful and discriminatory, and for the UUP to abstain on our proposal was particularly disappointing. Alliance will always stand for equality, inclusion and respect for everyone in our community.
“I would like to wish the organisers of Lurgan Pride every success as they prepare for their biggest and best event to date, and regret that they have been put through this unnecessary stress and uncertainty.”
