Introduction of bonfire controls an unnecessary move and one that will further alienate unionism

MID Ulster Council has decided to regulate bonfires built on council-owned land.

This is not about safe bonfires, which we support, but is an orchestrated plan by Sinn Fein to stop Eleventh Night bonfires.

With Sinn Fein having a compliant SDLP, unionists in Mid Ulster Council rarely see consensus politics. It’s a Sinn Fein dictatorship.

This proposal was brought to the March environment committee, where the SDLP, Sinn Fein and UUP all supported regulation being introduced.

The DUP opposed council regulation and urged for a voluntary code to be put in place. This has been used in other areas, with incredible success.

I am disappointed that unionism did not speak with a united voice on this matter.

DUP councillors backed option two (working with the communities), whilst a divided UUP backed option three (an unwieldy form of regulation by another name).

Sinn Fein and the SDLP steamrollered ahead with options three and four (full regulation).

There are eight bonfires on council land. Bonfire organisers have already conducted community consultations and published plans to ensure 2018 bonfires are safe and family-friendly.

This haughty [council] approach was unnecessary.

This could have been better managed by working with communities, rather than taking a heavy-handed regulatory approach.

Leading is always better than driving.

Such a dictatorial approach will damage community relations and will confirm for many unionists that the Sinn Fein-controlled Mid Ulster Council has zero consideration for their culture.

CLLR PAUL McLEAN (DUP) Group leader, Mid Ulster Council