Belfast ratepayers` views sought on Union flag and City Hall displays

13 June 2012

Belfast ratepayers will be given the opportunity to put forward their views on flying the Union flag at Belfast City Council owned property and on displays within the City Hall and its grounds between now and 1 October, 2012.

Views are being sought as part of equality impact assessments on the two current policies in relation to both issues.

The current policy on the flying of the Union flag affects three separate council buildings – the City Hall, the Ulster Hall and the Duncrue complex – out of a total of just over 100 buildings from which the council operates. These buildings have different functions and are used by different groups of people and it is therefore necessary to examine the impact of the policy at each building individually.

The second issue concerns the council`s policy in relation to displays within the City Hall and its grounds, particularly in relation to the promotion of a good and harmonious environment.

Ratepayers are invited to attend public consultation meetings which have been organised on both these EQIAs on 13 September 2012 in the Ulster Hall from 2pm–3pm and from 7pm-8pm.

Comments can also be made through questionnaires and response forms which are available on our website at which are available at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/equality

Among the documents available for download are: • EQIA on the Flying of the Union Flag • EQIA consultation response form (Flying of the Union Flag) • EQIA on Belfast City Hall: Promoting a Good and Harmonious Environment • EQIA consultation response form (Promoting a Good and Harmonious Environment)

The consultation process will remain open for 16 weeks to accommodate the summer period commencing on 11 June 2012 and end on 1st October 2012.

All suggestions, comments on the draft EQIAs should be submitted to Belfast City Council by 1 October 2012 by email: goodrelations@belfastcity.gov.uk or by post to: EQIA, Central Business Unit, Chief Executive`s Department, Belfast City Council, Freepost BEL4010, Belfast BT1 5BR.

The EQIA documents are also available in alternative formats upon request.

ENDS

Printer friendly version

Printer friendly version