Alliance bid to reverse decision on bonfire cash is rejected
Any trees located within the council’s 30 open spaces across the city do fall under its ownership.
Elsewhere, a tree database, compiled by Belfast council in 2015 and available to view via the OpenDataNI website, outlines the variety of tree species that can be found on the city’s streets and in parks.
Cherry, maple, beech, pear and alder are just some of the species listed in the records, along with the condition of the trees, which vary from ‘good’ and ‘fair’ to ‘poor’, ‘dying’ and ‘dead’.
Overall in the UK, the number of trees cut down by councils is equivalent to 67 hectares according to Defra — the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs — which equates to more than 90 Wembley football pitches. And although other UK authorities have claimed they are offsetting the culling of trees by replanting saplings, this has been disputed by experts who insist that fledgling trees cannot match the benefits of a mature-canopy tree.
Research has shown how trees have a positive impact on mental and physical health, as well as helping to reduce air pollution.
Proposal: Michael Long AN Alliance Party proposal to reverse a decision to give £400,000 of public money to community groups for “bonfire diversion” has been rejected at Belfast City Hall.
Last month, the DUP, Sinn Fein and PUP agreed to give £400,000 to community groups for “diversionary activities related to July and August bonfires”.
Several parties accused the DUP and Sinn Fein of a “political carve up” over how the allocation was made, as the council’s ‘call-in’ mechanism, which allows other parties to question decision-making, was removed from the process.
Both the SDLP and Alliance have requested a meeting with the Audit Office over the issue, while the Ulster Unionists have sought legal advice over the process, or lack thereof, that was followed.
At last night’s meeting of Belfast City Council, Alliance group leader Michael Long attempted to reverse the funding decision as no “transparent process” was used to select which groups would get the money.
“It appears the funding on Belfast City Council is allocated on a ‘who you know’ basis as opposed to what you know. Truly, when it comes to the DUP and Sinn Fein, some are more equal than others,” he said.
Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie accused those who were speaking out against it of “hypocrisy”, as previous funding decisions followed the same process and were supported by all parties.
“Next year we hope to have a properly designed community festivals fund, open to all so as to help our city move forward in a positive way,” he added.
The DUP’s Lee Reynolds dismissed concerns that the £400,000 hand out could result in rates increases. He also said those who were against the decision were the same people who would “express concern if we had a negative summer in the city”.
Alliance, the SDLP and UUP voted in favour of reversing the funding decision. It was defeated by 30 votes to 20, with Sinn Fein, the DUP and PUP voting against.