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Causeway Coast and Glens Bonfire Framework 13th February 2018

To: The Leisure and Development CommitteeFor Decision

Linkage to Corporate StrategyStrategic Themes Resilient, Healthy & Engaged Communities

Outcomes Council will work to develop and promote stable andcohesive communities across the Borough

Lead Officer Head of Community & CultureGood Relations Manager

Cost: (If applicable) Net cost through Good Relations £ 500Grant aid £1,500

The purpose of this report is to present members with the Interagency BonfireFramework for approval.

Background

In 2014, the Good Relations audit highlighted a need to develop collaborative approaches tomonitor potential challenges in terms of shared and safe space and cultural expression, inorder to identify issues early and work together with local stakeholders to find mutuallybeneficial solutions.

The Good Relations programme has facilitated an interagency partnership approach throughthe establishment of a Safer Bonfire working group involving relevant statutory agencies.

Stakeholders who participate in the interagency group include: Council – representation byboth Good Relations and Environmental Services; Police Service for Northern Ireland, NIHousing Executive, NI Fire & Rescue Service and more recently the NI Environmental Agency.

The overall purpose of the group is to promote safer, stronger and healthier communities whileensuring that both the natural and built environment is safe, respected and valued. Specificallythe group seeks to address both environmental, community safety and good relations issueswhich from time to time are associated with bonfires.

Identified need

The group identified the need to develop an interagency bonfire management framework thatwould assist in the celebration of cultural identify respectfully, whilst promoting safer, strongerand healthier communities, ensuring that both the natural and built environment is safe,respected and valued.

The process of developing the framework provided an opportunity for statutory bodies tocreate a baseline, reach agreement on the partners’ respective roles and responsibilities, anddevelop an agreed approach in terms of working with communities on bonfires.

The desired outcome associated with the initiative is improved relationships between localcommunities, Council and other key partners resulting in safer bonfires for all.

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Process for developing the framework

A number of activities were undertaken as part of the process to develop a framework.

These included:

• Surveys of all public agencies and elected representatives;

• Interviews and meetings with both key public agencies and local communitygroupings;

• Councillor workshop;

• Community meetings with representatives from local groups including bonfire builders;

• Site visits to The Folly in Armagh and Randallstown bonfire initiatives to considercurrent good practice .

• The compilation of a draft framework for consideration by potential delivery partners.

• Consultation with local community representatives / bonfire builders on their thoughtsof the draft framework.

Feedback from consultation

Feedback from community representatives and public agencies resulted in a number ofpotential areas of agreement:

• Local leadership by individuals and community based organisations is critical inhelping to move an area away from problematic bonfire issues to a place where thebonfire is well managed;

• Recognition of current good practice by local communities in the Causeway Coast andGlens Council area, led by local communities;

• That there should be no tyres or other toxic materials on bonfires;

• That there should be no flags, emblems or posters that could be construed as hate-related, caveated with the recognition that achieving that may take longer;

• Local communities need support to improve their bonfire management which mayinclude additional resources, support for training, provision of health and safetymaterials/equipment and support for the collection of unwanted materials;

• Public agencies should be consistent in their approach to both providing support andwhen necessary, enforcement (particularly in relation to fly-tipping and collecting toxicmaterials);

• Long-term support is important on issues such as environmental schemes, buildingrelationships with, and the capacity of young people involved in bonfire management.Of particular note is the need to raise awareness among the young people themselves,and the wider community, on the health impact of burning tyres and toxic materials.

The consultation highlighted that ongoing community engagement is a priority and is vital forthe successful development and agreement of the bonfire framework.

Complimentary Initiatives

Officers have been working on a number of initiatives specifically aimed at engaging withcommunities on an ongoing basis to build positive relations and provide support to help buildcapacity to encourage more positive promotion of cultural identity.

Good Relations, working alongside Environmental Services, have been engaging with localcommunities to consider how existing celebrations of culture can be delivered in a saferenvironment for both participants and the wider community.

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Council’s Good Relations action plan has a variety of projects specifically aimed to engagewith key influencers within communities, as well as those who are involved with buildingbonfires. These include projects targeting bonfire builders on issues of safety and bonfiremanagement, understanding and promoting positive expressions of culture, building positiverelations and peer leadership, to name but a few.

Good Relations is managing the Peace IV ‘Shaping our Space’ project; a re-imaging initiative,working with 8 local communities to look at positive ways to express culture. Some areas haveexpressed an interest in doing some work around their bonfire site.

Good Relations will also continue to facilitate the interagency bonfire group.

Framework

The bonfire framework outlines the roles and responsibilities of partners within the Bonfireworking group and affirms the ongoing, longer term process of continuous engagement withlocal communities in order to embed the principles into practice.

Key Recommendations

There are a number of short, medium and longer term recommendations within the framework.The key recommendations include:

• Council should work pro-actively with other public agency partners and localcommunities towards respectful, legal, safe, environmentally sound and positivebonfires as cultural or historical expressions;

• Where possible Council and other public agencies should facilitate the safest possiblesiting of bonfires to minimise risk to people, property and land;

• An interagency approach should be taken to work to discontinue the use of negativeand harmful health-related materials on bonfires including tyres;

• Partners should encourage innovative approaches including to the design andmanagement of the safest possible bonfires, and support communities if they wish toexplore alternatives to a bonfire;

• Ongoing community engagement to reduce and discontinue the use of symbols,materials, posters or material that could be harmful to good relations;

• Further support local communities through the availability of appropriate resources andthe development of relevant skills.

• Explore alternative, safer bonfire structures.

Initial Developments

The framework has recommended a series of actions, some of which have already takenplace, by way of an action plan. This includes support for training in stewarding, safety, riskassessment, first aid and the production of a good practice booklet which is attached in AnnexB for information.

Additional recommendations within the framework includes piloting an alternative saferbonfire structure and delivering an environmental project in proximity to a bonfire site in onekey location. The bonfire group have therefore proposed delivering a safer bonfire pilot projectfor the summer of 2018.

The project, building on bonfire initiatives previously delivered through the legacy BallymoneyBorough Council, will involve partnership working between Environmental Services and GoodRelations, with additional support from the group’s member organisations. The project willfocus on working with a local community bonfire grouping to develop a safer, cleaner bonfirestructure on an agreed blue print and within an agreed timeframe.

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The bonfire itself and its immediate surroundings will subject to creative environmentalimprovements through agreement and working in partnership with the local community whowould be instrumental in designing and developing an appropriate structure including façade,to contain materials and improve the aesthetics of the site and immediate area. An exampleof a previous environmental improvement project, delivered through Ballymoney, is attachedin Annex C.

Local residents involved in the building of the bonfire will be offered suitable training such assafer bonfires, marshalling, manual handling, design, woodwork, etc to encourage communityownership and positive expressions of culture in terms of the design of the structure. Costsfor the project include artists’ workshop facilitation, training and materials.

If the pilot project is successful in terms of community engagement and buy in, the programmewould be extended further in 2019 (subject to resources) to encourage greater communityparticipation/uptake in the scheme.

Recommendation

1. It is recommended that members approve the Bonfire Framework (Annex A)

2. It is recommended that Good Relations along with Environmental Services develop apilot project exploring safer bonfires for 2018/19.

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Annex A

Bonfire Framework

January 2018

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CONTENT

BACKGROUND 1

INTRODUCTION 2

CONTEXT 3

DRIVERS FOR THE FRAMEWORK 5

LEGAL BACKDROP 7

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 9

EMPOWERMENT 10

FUNDING 12

ENFORCEMENT 13

COMMUNICATIONS 14

MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEWING 15

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 16

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1 BACKGROUND

For a number ofyears public agen-cies1 have soughtto work with localcommunities to tryto ensure bettermanaged bonfires.

The outreach un-dertaken to localcommunities is nowbeing more for-mally acknowledged and recognised inthis framework.

It is in the bestinterests of all in-volved (whetherpeople enjoyingbonfires, organis-ing and manag-ing bonfires, orwith a legal andpublic duty rele-vant to bonfires)that there are le-gal, safe, environmentally-sound bon-fires that respect the tradition they arecommemorating while respecting peo-ple from other traditions too.

While public agencies can facilitate,persuade and encourage improvementin bonfire management, communityleadership is important to make positivechange occur locally; and the better therelationship communities have withpublic agencies the more that can beachieved.

Change may occur slowly, and will re-quire investment of time and effort. It

1 When using the term public agencies the doc-ument refers to those public agencies involvedin the interagency bonfire working group. Not

will benefit from resilience and an un-derstanding of the long-term nature of

this work.

This framework is not aNorthern Ireland widepolicy. Public agencieswill have their ownNorthern Ireland poli-cies and commitments.This is not a substitutefor those wider policiesand commitments.

This framework is part of a process ledby Causeway Coast and Glens Borough

Council, supported byother public agencies, toprovide a local, bespokeset of guidelines for themanagement of bonfiresin the Borough.

Copies of some of thewider policies adopted bypublic agencies may beaccessed in the appen-dices.

all aspects of this framework will apply to everypublic agency. Each public agency has its ownroles and responsibilities.

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2 INTRODUCTION

The framework will be of relevance forany bonfire regardless of the commu-nity or tradition within which it is held.While part of a wider tradition and amore general political/historical con-text, are largely local in how they areorganised and enjoyed.

Therefore, the framework reflects theimportance of community engagement.

Progress on the management of bon-fires and reduction of unlawful or anti-social activities will be long-term. Whilemuch good practice exists, transfor-mation of more problematic areas willnot necessarily happen in a year. Itmay take time and include setbacks andchallenges. Public agencies should beready for the long-haul in a long-termprocess.

It is also a year-long process. Encour-aging better bonfire management,whether in its impact on the appear-ance of an area or on the potential neg-ative impact on health, is also abouthow the area views itself during the restof the year. If residents take pride inthe attractiveness of an area for 11months of the year they will be lesslikely to tolerate unsightly build-up ofbonfire materials over many monthsand are more likely to understand theimpact of dioxins if there is a long-termfocus on the health of local children.

Principal adverse effects of bonfireshave been identified to include:

1. Illegal dumping of waste materi-als;

2 Bonfires, A report by the interagency workinggroup on bonfires, 2004

2. Anti-social behaviour associatedwith the event;

3. Air pollution;4. Visual amenity;5. Health impact of emissions;6. Damage to property.2

In Causeway Coast and Glens BoroughCouncil area:

ᴏ Community representatives havebeen involved in developing thisframework. They acknowledgedthat there are issues that needaddressed and many are willingto work with public agencies toaddress them;

ᴏ Public agencies acknowledgethat they can do more to supportgood practice and encourage lo-cal community leadership to pos-itively respect culture and his-tory;

ᴏ All stakeholders accept it is bet-ter for a common approach tobonfires in a local area;

ᴏ All stakeholders agree to worktoward local action plans in areasthat may be particularly prob-lematic for bonfire management.

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3 CONTEXT FOR PUBLIC AGENCIES

Public agencies recognise the importantrole they have to play. The roles eachplays in the interagency group generallyinclude:

Causeway Coast and Glens Bor-ough Council

Council will:

ᴏ Take the lead in organising andco-ordinating the interagencybonfire group;

ᴏ Engage with local communitiesand continue to develop relation-ships on bonfire management;

ᴏ Provide resourcing and othersupport toward positive, lawfulcultural celebration;

ᴏ Facilitate further dialogue onbonfire management;

ᴏ Consider cleaning up after bon-fires and cultural celebrations;

ᴏ Enforce the law safely where rel-evant to it as a Council and as alandowner.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

PSNI will:

ᴏ Help to enforce the law so thatcultural celebrations are lawful;

ᴏ Investigate potential injury,damage to property or other un-lawful activity;

ᴏ Continue to build relationshipswithin communities related tocultural celebrations;

ᴏ Enforce a number of provisionson roads and help other publicagencies in the enforcement ofthe law.

Northern Ireland Housing Execu-tive

NIHE will:

ᴏ Continue to build relationshipswith local communities related tocultural celebrations;

ᴏ Provide funding and other sup-port toward improving bonfiremanagement to include reducingenvironmental damage, bettercontrol collection of bonfire ma-terial, reduce fly tipping and dis-posal of illegal waste, reduceclean-up costs, reduce paramili-tary and inappropriate displaysof flags and effigies;

ᴏ Consider cleaning up after bon-fires and cultural celebrations onits land;

ᴏ Continue to repair damage toproperty;

ᴏ Enforce the law safely where rel-evant to it as a landowner.

Northern Ireland Fire and RescueService

NIF & RS will:

ᴏ Carry out site visits to: provideadvice on bonfire safety; buildgood relations with bonfire build-ers; ensure crews are acceptedlocally; identify if property orutilities are likely to be impactedfor passing on to other agencies;

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gain intelligence on hydrant lo-cations, the best approach andresources likely to be required;

ᴏ Attend a bonfire related incidentwhen someone from a local com-munity has a concern and re-quires assistance, to protect lifeand property;

ᴏ While not intending to disruptbonfires, NIFRS may extinguisha bonfire based on a dynamicrisk assessment.

Northern Ireland EnvironmentAgency

NIEA will:

ᴏ Provide advice and support toother public agencies;

ᴏ Focus suitable attention on theregulation of waste carriers andespecially those transportingwaste tyres to ensure they areauthorised to do so;

ᴏ Take enforcement action againstany illegal storage of waste tyresthat could subsequently findtheir way on to bonfires;

ᴏ Where evidence as to the perpe-trator is available, investigate se-rious incidents and, where suffi-cient evidence is gathered, takeenforcement action againstthose producers and/or carrierswho allow tyres or hazardouswaste to be deposited at bonfiresites;

3 Other than these bullet points the NIEA is notresponsible for any other commitments in thisframework.

ᴏ Make recommendations on pol-icy and legislation.3

Department for Infrastructure

DfI will:

ᴏ Help to keep roads clear for ac-cess of the public and emer-gency services;

ᴏ If necessary carry out repairs toroads after bonfires have takenplace.

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4 DRIVERS FOR THE FRAMEWORK

It is acknowledged that:

ᴏ Bonfires will occur – the frame-work is not an attempt to under-mine the hosting of bonfires orpeoples’ enjoyment of the tradi-tion of bonfires, where communi-ties support a bonfire. It is aim-ing to promote healthy, safe,lawful family-friendly events orcelebrations that may includebonfires or alternatives;

ᴏ Public agencies will be mindfulof their legal obligations andtheir requirement to uphold thelaw; while mindful also of the tra-dition and history of bonfires,and the support for bonfireswithin communities;

ᴏ All involved – public agencies,communities, organisers andelected representatives – will bemindful of potential positive/neg-ative impact on the health, homeand family lives of people livingand gathering close to bonfires;

ᴏ Consultation with residents andinvolvement of communities inplanning, managing and imple-menting public agency responseto bonfires will be a year-roundprocess;

ᴏ Public agencies will ask commu-nities to play their part in hostingsafe, legal and positive bonfiresthat do justice to their local tradi-tions; and public agencies com-mit to play a wider role in sup-porting communities through re-lated initiatives as outlined in thesections below especially relat-ing to community engagement.

In implementing the framework inter-agency partners agree to:

ᴏ Work pro-actively with otherpublic agency partners and localcommunities towards respectful,legal, safe, environmentallysound and positive bonfires ascultural or historical expressions;

ᴏ Work to discontinue the use ofnegative and harmful health-re-lated materials on bonfires in-cluding tyres;

ᴏ Facilitate, where possible, thesafest possible siting of bonfiresto minimise risk to people, prop-erty and land;

ᴏ Encourage innovative ap-proaches including the designand management of the safestpossible bonfires, and supportcommunities if they wish to ex-plore alternatives to a bonfire;

ᴏ Work to reduce and discontinueuse of symbols, materials, post-ers or material that could beharmful to good relations;

ᴏ Be open to further support to lo-cal communities through theavailability of resources and de-velopment of skills;

Along with local communities publicagencies aim to:

1. Support good relationships withlocal communities within which abonfire is held;

2. Support positive, lawful and re-spectful celebration of historyand culture;

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3. Ensure bonfires are environmen-tally friendly and protect thehealth and well-being of localcommunities;

4. Adhere to their legal and publicduties and obligations.

Public agencies should be mindful, asthey deliver the framework that:

ᴏ Community leadership is im-portant;

ᴏ Some areas that have made sig-nificant improvement in howbonfires are managed, may be-lieve it unfair to focus now onthose areas that have not;

ᴏ Some communities may believethe framework is designed to un-dermine bonfires and culturalcelebration.

However, the beneficial outcomes ofimplementing the framework in thelong-term may include:

ᴏ Safer, lawful, family-friendly andpositive celebrations of culture;

ᴏ Improved relationship betweenlocal communities and publicagencies on a sensitive issuesuch as cultural celebration;

ᴏ Reduced potential for deteriora-tion of community relations.

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5 LEGAL BACKDROP

Public agencies and all involved in con-structing or managing bonfires shouldbe mindful of the law. The frameworkis not a substitute for the legal obliga-tions of those organising and support-ing bonfires or the duties under the lawof public agencies.The framework isdesigned to facilitatecross–sectoral work-ing to better man-age bonfires in thelong-term.

Public agencies areaware of their cur-rent legal obligationsand potential legalissues that may arisein the long-term.

A summary of the relevant legislationapplicable to all involved in construct-ing, managing and supporting bonfiresincludes:

ᴏ Litter (NI) Order 1994

The Order may facilitate Council takingenforcement proceedings usually forfly-tipping at bonfires sites on a rela-tively small scale especially householdgoods being discarded illegally.

ᴏ Waste and Contaminated Land(NI) Order 1997

The Order would permit the NorthernIreland Environment Agency or theCouncil to remove waste on land if itwas to prevent pollution or a risk tohealth. The NIEA may prosecute land-owners for allowing the illegal dumpingof waste materials.

ᴏ Roads (NI) Order 1993

The Department for Infrastructure mayrequire removal of materials on a road,or may remove it themselves if danger-ous. The PSNI are responsible for en-forcement including actions likely to ob-struct roads or cause damage.

ᴏ Public Order (NI)Order 1987 – includ-ing causing damageto roads, obstructionand breach of thepeace

The PSNI is responsi-ble for enforcement ofissues arising fromdisorderly behaviouror breach of thepeace, and in somecircumstances wherethere is hate motiva-

tion.

ᴏ Criminal – civil - Damage (NI)Order 1977

Related to offences for destroying ordamaging property and possessingsomething with the intent to destroy ordamage property.

ᴏ Environment (NI) Order 2002

Places a duty on the Department forCommunities (formerly Environment) tomaintain air quality and on Councils toreview and implement air quality strat-egy.

ᴏ Fire and Rescue Services (NI)Order 2006

Obligates the Fire and Rescue Serviceto do what is reasonable to prevent afire or protect life and property.

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ᴏ Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878

Provides powers to Councils to dealwith a nuisance such as smoke.

ᴏ Trespass or civil trespass

Use of land without the landowner’spermission.

ᴏ Article Eight European Conven-tion on Human Rights

Obligations to respect a person's pri-vate and family life, home and his/hercorrespondence subject to certain re-strictions that is in accordance with lawand necessary in a democratic society.

Public agencies are expected to pro-ac-tively uphold the law including a right tointerfere to protect health.

ᴏ Article Ten European Conven-tion on Human Rights

Upholds the right of people for freedomof expression subject to certain re-strictions that is in accordance with lawand necessary in a democratic society.

Public agencies are expected to pro-ac-tively uphold the law including a right tointerfere to protect health.

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6 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Interagency group agrees todevelop and sustain a communityengagement plan whichit will deliver year-on-year. The communityengagement plan willbe led by CausewayCoast and GlensBorough Council but itwill involve publicagencies as relevant,elected representativesand community leaders.

Early engagement on bonfire manage-ment is desirable, as is early engage-ment in developing the framework.

There are three critical groups for thatengagement:

ᴏ Developing relationships, trustand clarity of roles between offi-cials representing public agen-cies – as members of the inter-agency bonfire safety workinggroup;

ᴏ Developing understanding andsupport from elected represent-atives (Councillors) as primaryinterlocutors between communi-ties, the media and public agen-cies; and as a strategic lead ofone of the public agencies;

ᴏ Developing understanding andsupport from local communitiesand key players within thosecommunities, including those in-volved in constructing and man-aging bonfires.

For bonfires in July and August,community engagement will begin inSeptember the year before.

Causeway Coast and Glens BoroughCouncil undertakes to facilitate aconsultation event to explore what hasworked well and less well for bonfires

over the summer,areas that have beenproblematic andareas that haveimproved.

A communityengagement and

communicationstimetable is outlinedas an appendix.

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7 EMPOWERMENT

The interagency working group willagree a number of interventions,phased over an initial three years, andreviewed every September. Thecommitments will give life to theframework.

These interventions may include:

ᴏ Specific plans for particularareas to tackle with consistencya problematic bonfire in an areaor/and support an area which isworking well and would benefitfrom continued investment oftime and effort;

ᴏ Youth work intervention duringthe year but especially duringthe summer;

ᴏ Environmental improvementwork in and around areas wherebonfires are sited combined withencouragement to collect andstore materials in a reasonabletimeframe;

ᴏ The

discontinuation of tyres frombonfires;

ᴏ Provision of support to increasehealth and safety activities and

measures at bonfires and bonfiresites;

ᴏ Help commuities to explorealternative sites for bonfireswhere relevant, involving wholecommunities;

ᴏ Support for good relations workthat encourages positive,respectful cultural and historicalcelebration;

ᴏ Exploration of innovative waysfor cultural celebration thatpresents alternatives totraditional bonfires;

ᴏ Enforcement where relevant.

Good practice bonfire management willbe recognised and those areas will beeligible for ongoing public agencyencouragement.

In areas of good practice bonfiremanagement:

AS PART OF THIS FRAMEWORK, PUBLIC

AGENCIES AGREE TO:

ᴏ Further encouragewell-managed, legal,and safe celebration ofhistory and culturewhere communitiessupport a bonfire;

ᴏ Develop a goodpractice booklet onorganising a bonfireincluding policies ontyres, other toxins, and

location.

ᴏ Assist local communities identifyalternative suitable sites for abonfire if a bonfire site is lost due

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to regeneration, buildings orother local factors;

ᴏ Assist local communities thatwish to explore alternatives to abonfire;

ᴏ Support local communtiieswhere signage for bonfire siteswould be helpful for crowdmanagement and materialcollection;

ᴏ Develop one new year-longenvironmental scheme at abonfire site to encouragetidiness in the area in thesummer, and sustain thatscheme with local community infuture years;

ᴏ Provide resourcing to support arespectful family orientedcelebration – and helpcommuntiies access fundingopportunities;

ᴏ Advise bonfire managementcommittees or local communityorganisations and bonfirebuilders;

ᴏ Develop a plan for the removalof toxic materials from bonfiresites;

ᴏ Remove unsuitabe material frombonfire sites, when safe, in atimely way.

AS PART OF THIS FRAMEWORK LOCAL

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES MAY

AGREE TO:

ᴏ Identify issues from the goodpractice booklet that will helpthem form a To Do list of actionsfor the future;

ᴏ Collect material for the bonfireno more than ten weeks beforethe bonfire is due to be lit;

ᴏ Build bonfires a sufficientdistance from houses andcommunity facilities to ensurethey are not endangered ordamaged, and that use of thosehomes and facilities by localpeople, families and children isnot restricted;

ᴏ Support public agencies havingaccess to the site withouthindrance to remove materialsthat cause health and safetyissues for local people or thatmay promote hatred;

ᴏ Ensure there are no hutscontained within bonfires topromote the safety of childrenand young people;

ᴏ Light the bonfire sufficientlyearly.

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8 RESOURCING

Public agencies recognise thatproviding support to local communitiesin the form of resourcing, where thosecommunities sign up to the bonfireframework, is an importantencouragement to better bonfiremanagement.

Resourcing could support a variety ofactions to better organise and managebonfires. These may include:

ᴏ Family fun activities;ᴏ Stewarding training for bonfire

management;ᴏ First aid training with focus on

bonfire management;ᴏ Risk assessment training for

bonfires;ᴏ New physical features for a

bonfire such as fences or sandbases.

Resourcing should beavailable in sufficienttime to allow activitiesto take place in the runup to and includingbonfires in the July-August period.

Public agencies will alsoexplore innovativeapproaches to bonfiresand will explore thepotential for a beaconprogramme.

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9 ENFORCEMENT

This framework does not haveenforcement as a central theme – theframework is focused on developingrelationships between localcommunities and public agencies, andtrying to work with people to improvebonfire management.

However, public agencies also havelegal duties and will uphold and enforcethe law as relevant.

A summary of the mostrelevant legislation issummarised in theframework.

Aside from those piecesof legislation publicagencies are mindful ofthe additional civilliabilities thatlandowners may have.This includes privatelandowners but may also include publicagencies such as Council, NIHE and theDepartment of Infrastructure.

Therefore, public agencies, includingthose who are landowners, will taketheir legal duties and their safeguardingresponsibilities seriously.

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10 COMMUNICATIONS

The interagency group will be mindfulof the need for timely, clear andpositive communication to communitiesand the media. The core messages andhow communication is undertakenshould be agreed before each summer.

Each agency should identify a keyperson to co-ordinate communciationsfrom their perspective, whether or notthey take a public role.

Causeway Coast and Glens BoroughCouncil will liaise withCouncillors who bothspeak for communitiesand speak for the Council.Council should work withCouncillors to ensure theyare fully informed ofpositive andcollaboratuive work takingplace, legal obligations ofpublic agencies includingCouncil, and the long-term aspiration ofthe framework.

Councillors also acknowledge theirobligations to keep informed and beaware of work that is being undertakenand their responsibilities to promotegood relations.

Communication should focus on a) howand when public agencies will engagewith local and regional media beforeand during the bonfire season, and b)how good practice will be sharedbetween stakeholders includingcommunity representatives throughoutthe year.

A communications timetable is includedas an appendix.

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11 MONITORING, EVALUATING AND

REVIEWING

The framework should be monitored bythe Interagency Group with regard totimeframes, achievement ofperformance indicators and budgets.

It is anticipated the framework will beformally revisited in September eachyear as part of an annual assessment ofthe summer carried out withcommunities including bonfire buildersand supporters.

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12 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The following additional informationhas been provided by public agenciesfor use by all stakeholders. It includeswider policy commitments andprotocols on a Northern Ireland-widebasis.

Fire and Resecue Service

Bonfire ManagementFramework - V1.pdf

CIB No. 8 - BonfireAdvice.pdf

Northern Ireland Housing ExecutiveFunding Criteria

2017 COH UPDATEDBFM POLICY.DOCX

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Appendix A: Timetable for key actions

Activity 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020Agree the bonfire interagencyframework

September review of thesummer and plan for next year

Production of good practicebooklet

Environmental project inproximity to bonfire site in onekey location

Provision of support focused onareas agreeing to goodpractice booklet andframework

Quarterly estate tidy ups inpartnership with localcommunity and possibly acommunity-based initiativesuch as SupportingCommunities

Support for training instewarding, safety, riskassessment and first aid

Pilot an alternative saferstructure in an area agreed bylocal community

Enforcement where necessaryand relevant

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Appendix B:

Communications and Engagement Timetable

The protocol on engagement and communication will include at least ten key actions each year such as (not all starting in 2017):

Date By: ActionApril Public agencies will agree key messages and communication planApril Development of an enforcement communications plan agreed by public agenciesApril-August Intensive communication April-August with local communities and the media focusing on the real and negative

impact on health of hazardous materials (inclusing tyres) in bonfiresMay A new environmental initiative in a bonfire related areaJune Briefing for elected representatives on role, work anticipated/undertaken, key messages, challengesJune-August Facilitation of visits by public agencies to bonfire sites to provide formal or informal advice on safetyOngoing Engagement with local communities on a gradual basis over the next five years exploring community attitudes

and opinions to bonfires and alternativesOngoing Engagement with young people and bonfire builders by public agencies on an all-year basis but especially April-

AugustOngonig Development of individual plans for areas with bonfiresOngoing Exploration of establishment of a local bonfire forum in areas to act as a focal point for safety and management

issuesOngoing Continued support for, and promotion of, good practice in bonfire managementSeptember Review of each summer in September with local communities, resulting in an updated engagement plan for the

next 12 monthsOctober Production of information on alternatives to bonfiresOctober Youth and community engagement plan agreed for the next 12 months

BONFIRE SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

KEY CONTACTS:CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS BOROUGH COUNCIL Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will engage with local communities and continue to develop relationships to assist in ensuring safer bonfire management.

Our Environmental Services and Good Relations departments can provide some resourcing and other support toward positive, lawful cultural celebrations.

Council can facilitate dialogue on bonfire management and work with local bonfire builders to plan and consider cleaning up after bonfires and cultural celebrations.

However, Council also has a duty to enforce the relevant legislation and protect its property. A number of staff have been appointed within the council to work with communities to fulfil the role outlined above and can be contacted as follows:

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESEnvironmental services can provide advice and support to assist you in planning and organising your bonfire safely to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Resources can also be provided to ensure safety at bonfire sites and assistance that can help to reduce the cost of clean ups.

Contacts:Jackie Barr Tel: 07889 539 353 (Coleraine & Limavady)Warner Kirkpatrick Tel: 07841 970 331 (Ballymoney)Bryan Edgar Tel: 07809 552 931 (Ballymoney)Aidan McPeake Tel: 07525 667 673 (Moyle)

GOOD RELATIONSGood Relations can provide support to ensure positive promotion of culture. Developing new and building on existing relations is key to ensuring continued community engagement. Through our Good Relations Programme we can advise, support and facilitate dialogue and mediation to assist in reducing tensions. The Good Relations team can facilitate bonfire safety training and provide a range of opportunities for communities who wish to promote positive cultural identity.Contact: Patricia Cameron, Good Relations Manager Tel: 028 7776 0304 or Mobile: 07702 331 430OrJulie Welsh, Head of service for Community and CultureTel: 028 7034 7034 or Mobile: 07802 214 901

NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICENIF+RS will on request, carry out site visits to provide advice on bonfire safety, build good relations with bonfire builders, ensure crews are accepted locally, identify if property or utilities are likely to be impacted, identify hydrant locations, the best approach and resources likely to be required.

NIF+RS will also attend a bonfire related incident when someone from a local community has a concern and requires assistance, to protect life and property.

While not intending to disrupt bonfires, NIF+RS may extinguish a bonfire based on a dynamic risk assessment.

HOUSING EXECUTIVEHE’s Community Cohesion Unit, continues to build relationships with local communities in relation to cultural celebrations. Support can be provided to community groups toward improving bonfire management to reduce environmental damage, better controlled collection of bonfire material, reduce fly tipping and disposal of illegal waste, reduce clean-up costs.

HE will enforce the law where relevant to it as a landowner.Contact: Eddie Breslin, Good Relations Officer, Cohesion Unit, Mobile: 07769 977 897 (9am to 5pm only) for help with any bonfire issues relating to N.I.H.E. Estates, within the Causeway Coast and Glens Area.

PSNI:PSNI help to enforce the law. They will investigate potential injury, damage to property or other unlawful activity.

Local PSNI teams continue to build relationships within communities to ensure positive cultural celebrations.

PSNI will also enforce a number of provisions on roads and help other public agencies in the enforcement of the law.

Contact:Inspector Donna Bowden, PSNI 101 Ext 63968 Mobile: 07801 738 181Sergeant Michael O’Loan, PSNI 101 Ext 83020 LimavadyInspector David Burns, PSNI 101 Ext 40946 Dervock / Ballymoney / Cloughmills / Rasharkin

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council aims to engage with local communities to encourage safer bonfire management in order to support positive promotion of cultural celebration.

This Leaflet has been produced by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council through financial support provided by the

Executive Office’s, District Council’s Good Relations Programme.

ANNEX B

CULTURAL CELEBRATION:The tradition of bonfires goes back centuries. Fire was used in early days to celebrate Light’s victory over Darkness and marked the control over fire, lighting the dark of night.

According to the Arcade dictionary of origins, a bonfire was a fire in which bones were burned. Historically bonfires were also used as means of communication, primarily to warn of danger.

In Northern Ireland a traditional bonfire has associations with religious or political events. Generally they are used to commemorate feast days or celebrate victories of historical significance.

CELEBRATING SAFELYBonfires can be great fun but each year some of the events have seen injury to people, damage to property and negative environmental impact.

This leaflet provides some useful advice on managing bonfires to ensure safer, stronger and healthier communities while ensuring that both the natural and built environment is safe, respected and valued.

PLANPlanning is key to having a safe and successful bonfire. Advice and support can be provided if you involve organisations such as community groups, land owners (eg housing executive), Fire Service, Police and the local council.

LOCATION OF BONFIRESLocal consultation should be carried out as to where a bonfire will be located. If residents are consulted, it is less likely that there will be complaints from locals. The site of a bonfire should be in an unenclosed space well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs. Bonfire sites should be well away from areas where kids usually play.

As a guide, the location of a bonfire should be at ratio of at least 1:5, meaning that the nearest property should not be any closer than 5 times the height of the bonfire.

Wind direction should be taken into consideration to ensure that smoke and fumes do not blow across spectators or nearby homes.

Bonfires should not be positioned on tarmac or asphalt surfaces. If the weather is dry, preferably the surface should be damped down. Ideally a bonfire should be in an area and on a surface that can be easily cleared and cleaned afterwards.

COLLECTING MATERIALS FOR BONFIRES Stockpiling material in open sites can be dangerous particularly for children and can make the neighbourhood look unsightly and encourage vermin.

Bonfires are often used as a means to dispose of waste materials, sometimes materials that are subject to legal control because of environmental and health impact. Dumping of this waste should not be supported by local communities. Legal action can be taken against anyone who dumps controlled waste at bonfire sites. Examples of control waste include tyres, chemicals, household waste, flammable liquids etc.

If any controlled waste is dumped at a bonfire site, it is advisable to contact the land owner to have the waste removed. This may be the Housing Executive or the environmental services at your local council (contact details are provided in this leaflet) or possibly a private land owner who can arrange to have it removed.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BURNING OF CONTROLLED WASTE ON BONFIRES The uncontrolled burning of waste on bonfires can produce substances that can harm the environment. Black smoke contains volatile organic compounds and dioxins which affect the air quality and health of people nearby, particularly the elderly.

The burning of tyres, plastics and upholstered furniture or painted materials may cause problems for asthmatics, bronchitis sufferers, and people with heart conditions and children.

Smoke prevents local residents enjoying their garden, opening windows, hanging out washing and also reduces visibility in the neighbourhood and surrounding roads.

The burning of tyres in particular causes the remains of the bonfire to smoulder for several days prolonging the exposure to the toxins produced.

This also creates a negative perception to tourists or visitors to the area.

STRUCTUREStability during the whole burn is key to building a safe bonfire!

When building a bonfire you should think about not only size, but density and dampness. There should be an even distribution of weight and combustibility all around.

The bonfire should be a manageable size.

Remember if it’s 5 meters tall it should be at least 25 metres from the nearest building / structure.

It should not contain any potentially hazardous materials that could explode or give off toxic fumes e.g. tyres, gas cylinders, aerosols, batteries etc.

LIGHTING UPThe fire should only be lit under the guidance and supervision of a responsible adult.

NEVER use flammable liquid such as petrol or paraffin to light the fire as these can cause an explosion. Domestic fire lighters should be used. A few points around the bonfire should be used to ensure it is lit and burns evenly.

BE RESPONSIBLEKeep children away from the bonfire.

Spectators should also be kept far enough away from the burning fire. They should be in an area where they can not be trapped.

Ensure there is plenty of water nearby. Check nearby buildings, out buildings, sheds, tanks etc to ensure they are not subjected intense heat.

In the event of an emergency dial 999.

AFTER THE EVENT:CLEANING UPIt is important to keep the area around the bonfire site as tidy as possible. An untidy bonfire site can make the neighbourhood look unsightly. A smouldering fire remains a risk! It can leave smoke and unpleasant smells for days after the event.

Planning the clean-up is important to ensure the area is cleared and returned to normal as much as possible after the event. Remember, a smouldering bonfire site can remain extremely hot for several days. It is important that the fire is completely extinguished and as soon as safe to do so, the site and surrounding area should be cleared of all debris.

BONFIRES CAN HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS THAT INCLUDE:• Illegal dumping of waste materials• Anti-social behaviour associated with the event• Air pollution• Visual amenity• Health impact of emissions• Damage to property

REMEMBER: Following the advice and information within this leaflet and planning your bonfire sensibly can help to ensure your bonfire is an enjoyable event for everyone within your community. It can also help to reduce and minimize damage to public land, thus reducing clean up and reinstatement costs.

If the bonfire is planned and managed safely and sensibly, these affects can be reduced making them safer for the whole community.

FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVESCages or fences to outline the size of the bonfire, sand bases and willow beacons should be considered for safer and more environmentally friendly methods of having a bonfire to celebrate culture.

Annex C

Bonfire Framework Legacy Ballymoney Bonfire Safety Project at Stranocum