Answers to Public Questions

This page provides the answers to accepted public questions submitted to Council.

Previous responses in this term of Council: September 2025, July 2025

Public Questions and Answers - November 2025:

Rosie Wilson	Question “A public right of way in our area is School lane .This is from the Upper station rd Greenisland leading to Gorman Close whose is responsibile for a public right of way?”
Answer: The responsibility of Public Rights of Way sits with the Outdoor Recreation Officer. This is within our Parks Development Remit. Any specific queries can be sent to Outdoor.Recreation@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.
Denise Russell	Question “Would it be possible to build a dog park such as the one they have in Antrim Castle gardens? possibly in Ecos centre?”
Answer: After consideration, it would be Councils view that Ecos is not a suitable location for a dog park for a number of reasons. A key factor is the environment. Ecos is a nature park, and it is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Any new development would need to make sure that local habitats are protected and that the presence of a dog park does not disturb the animals that rely on the area. Protecting biodiversity is something the community values highly, and it must remain a priority. Council also has to be mindful of public safety. Unfortunately, there have been ongoing problems in the wider area with dog fighting, and introducing a dog park could make these issues worse if not carefully managed. Without proper supervision, there is a risk that the space could be misused. At present, the site is not monitored by wardens, which means there would be limited oversight to prevent unsafe behaviour or to step in if problems arise. Input from the Dog Control Enforcement team is very important, as they can help guide how such a space should be managed to keep both dogs and people safe. We also need to consider whether there are suitable sites that are large enough to provide plenty of room for dogs to exercise without causing overcrowding and with regards to Ecos an area that doesn’t flood heavily. That all being said, Officers will undertake to explore the concept of a dog park in the Borough, and if benefits are identified and a suitable location can be found, further consideration will be brought before Elected Members at some point in the future.
Michael Creighton	Question “Who is right, Antrim council getting rid of blue bins, or Ballymena introducing blue bins?”
Answer: Before Elected Members resolved to move to a comingled recycling collection system, officers researched which councils had the highest recycling rates in Northern Ireland and England. Consistently the highest performing Councils collect their recycling using the single bin comingled system. Based on the research undertaken the Council is confident that the only option for achieving the Government’s recycling targets was to adopt the blue bin system. The Council is unable to comment on whether Antrim and Newtownabbey or Mid and East Antrim Council is right – Antrim and Newtownabbey Council will have had to make their decision based on affordability, acceptability and expected outcome.
David Bruns	Question “When will the clock be returned to the bandstand in Larne town park?”
Answer: The metal housing that used to incorporate a clock was removed a few years ago because it was structurally unsafe and would have put the public at risk if it were to collapse and fall. From records the clock itself has been redundant from the old metal frame for a number of years before this. Initially it was intended to be replaced however after further investigation the structural integrity of the roof itself was not sufficient in today’s standards to carry the weight of a new clock and housing. No further work has been initiated due to financial constraint and priority spending in other essential services
Lloyd Young	Question “If they are going to update facilities for people to use are the going to charge over the odds for teams to use it we were charged 180 for 2 hours training where you can play a match for 120 and have the pitch for the same amount of time was also told through the summer months they are meant to be at a reduced rate for local teams if that is a reduced rate no team bar Ballymena united will be able to afford the to even train once a week on it.”
Answer: The Showgrounds has had a full size 3G pitch located in the complex for 13 years and has kept prices at a similar rate throughout the years despite the annual increases. With the introduction of another 3G pitch in recent months the price also remains the same. The Showgrounds has also introduced four 5 aside pitches to the site and they are the cheapest courts available at present in Northern Ireland. 3G Prices for training are currently more expensive for a full size 3G due to the volume of users on it within an hour slot compared to a matchday scenario. However, we do encourage clubs if they are requiring training to book it as a match because it is the cheapest option. Currently both 3G pitches are block booked Monday to Friday from 6pm to 10pm, and a cheaper rate for a match on a Saturday is available. These pitches are used by all clubs and teams in the Ballymena area. There are currently no more summer rates available in Ballymena. A current price list for the 3G pitches will be made available on the Council website following the Meeting. If there are any queries or concerns and we can be of assistance please email the Ballymena Showgrounds at showgrounds.reception@midandeastantrim.gov.uk and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Mark Young	Question “What is being done to make the area more friendly and accessible to people with disabilities? What has happened to the forming of the working group?”
Answer: Through the work of the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Network, the Inclusion and Equality Sub-Committee, Officer and Elected Member Diversity Ambassadors and the Council’s Equality and Disability Action Plans there are a range of initiatives in place to support accessibility for our citizens with disabilities. The Council offers communications in alternative accessible formats Delivers a programme of accessible/inclusive activities during Council’s Love Parks Week, including use of sensory items and noise-cancelling headphones We have rolled out “Quiet Hour” at the People’s Park for children with additional or sensory needs Council uses the Mae Murray Foundation Toolkit (Adapt My Play) in any new design for playparks to ensure accessibility and inclusivity We have expanded the MEAqua Little Stars Pan Disability swimming lessons across all 3 leisure centres Inclusive sport and physical activity programmes are delivered through the MEActive programme Inclusive bike hire sessions in Carrick & Larne are in place across the summer months We actively engage with disability support organisations via the Labour Market Partnership, to deliver programmes supporting young people with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions Council has rolled out the Autism Friendly Borough initiative, including pre-visit guides, Autism Champions, and training for local businesses and organisations Changing Places facilities are provided at major Council events, alongside the introduction of “relaxed sessions” We have added relaxed and signed theatre performances for Christmas 2025 The formation of the Disability Lived Experience Group is progressing with the first meeting of Elected Members to take place on 10th December. Thereafter, expressions of interest will be sought from the community which will enable the group to be constituted.

Rosie Wilson

Question

“A public right of way in our area is School lane .This is from the Upper station rd Greenisland leading to Gorman Close whose is responsibile for a public right of way?”

Answer:

The responsibility of Public Rights of Way sits with the Outdoor Recreation Officer. This is within our Parks Development Remit. Any specific queries can be sent to Outdoor.Recreation@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Denise Russell

Question

“Would it be possible to build a dog park such as the one they have in Antrim Castle gardens? possibly in Ecos centre?”

Answer:

After consideration, it would be Councils view that Ecos is not a suitable location for a dog park for a number of reasons.

A key factor is the environment. Ecos is a nature park, and it is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Any new development would need to make sure that local habitats are protected and that the presence of a dog park does not disturb the animals that rely on the area. Protecting biodiversity is something the community values highly, and it must remain a priority.

Council also has to be mindful of public safety. Unfortunately, there have been ongoing problems in the wider area with dog fighting, and introducing a dog park could make these issues worse if not carefully managed. Without proper supervision, there is a risk that the space could be misused. At present, the site is not monitored by wardens, which means there would be limited oversight to prevent unsafe behaviour or to step in if problems arise.

Input from the Dog Control Enforcement team is very important, as they can help guide how such a space should be managed to keep both dogs and people safe. We also need to consider whether there are suitable sites that are large enough to provide plenty of room for dogs to exercise without causing overcrowding and with regards to Ecos an area that doesn’t flood heavily.

That all being said, Officers will undertake to explore the concept of a dog park in the Borough, and if benefits are identified and a suitable location can be found, further consideration will be brought before Elected Members at some point in the future.

Michael Creighton

Question

“Who is right, Antrim council getting rid of blue bins, or Ballymena introducing blue bins?”

Answer:

Before Elected Members resolved to move to a comingled recycling collection system, officers researched which councils had the highest recycling rates in Northern Ireland and England. Consistently the highest performing Councils collect their recycling using the single bin comingled system. Based on the research undertaken the Council is confident that the only option for achieving the Government’s recycling targets was to adopt the blue bin system. The Council is unable to comment on whether Antrim and Newtownabbey or Mid and East Antrim Council is right – Antrim and Newtownabbey Council will have had to make their decision based on affordability, acceptability and expected outcome.

David Bruns

Question

“When will the clock be returned to the bandstand in Larne town park?”

Answer:

The metal housing that used to incorporate a clock was removed a few years ago because it was structurally unsafe and would have put the public at risk if it were to collapse and fall. From records the clock itself has been redundant from the old metal frame for a number of years before this.

Initially it was intended to be replaced however after further investigation the structural integrity of the roof itself was not sufficient in today’s standards to carry the weight of a new clock and housing.

No further work has been initiated due to financial constraint and priority spending in other essential services

Lloyd Young

Question

“If they are going to update facilities for people to use are the going to charge over the odds for teams to use it we were charged 180 for 2 hours training where you can play a match for 120 and have the pitch for the same amount of time was also told through the summer months they are meant to be at a reduced rate for local teams if that is a reduced rate no team bar Ballymena united will be able to afford the to even train once a week on it.”

Answer:

The Showgrounds has had a full size 3G pitch located in the complex for 13 years and has kept prices at a similar rate throughout the years despite the annual increases. With the introduction of another 3G pitch in recent months the price also remains the same. The Showgrounds has also introduced four 5 aside pitches to the site and they are the cheapest courts available at present in Northern Ireland.

3G Prices for training are currently more expensive for a full size 3G due to the volume of users on it within an hour slot compared to a matchday scenario. However, we do encourage clubs if they are requiring training to book it as a match because it is the cheapest option.

Currently both 3G pitches are block booked Monday to Friday from 6pm to 10pm, and a cheaper rate for a match on a Saturday is available. These pitches are used by all clubs and teams in the Ballymena area.

There are currently no more summer rates available in Ballymena.

A current price list for the 3G pitches will be made available on the Council website following the Meeting. If there are any queries or concerns and we can be of assistance please email the Ballymena Showgrounds at showgrounds.reception@midandeastantrim.gov.uk and a member of the team will be happy to help.

Mark Young

Question

“What is being done to make the area more friendly and accessible to people with disabilities? What has happened to the forming of the working group?”

Answer:

Through the work of the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Network, the Inclusion and Equality Sub-Committee, Officer and Elected Member Diversity Ambassadors and the Council’s Equality and Disability Action Plans there are a range of initiatives in place to support accessibility for our citizens with disabilities.

The Council offers communications in alternative accessible formats
Delivers a programme of accessible/inclusive activities during Council’s Love Parks Week, including use of sensory items and noise-cancelling headphones
We have rolled out “Quiet Hour” at the People’s Park for children with additional or sensory needs
Council uses the Mae Murray Foundation Toolkit (Adapt My Play) in any new design for playparks to ensure accessibility and inclusivity
We have expanded the MEAqua Little Stars Pan Disability swimming lessons across all 3 leisure centres
Inclusive sport and physical activity programmes are delivered through the MEActive programme
Inclusive bike hire sessions in Carrick & Larne are in place across the summer months
We actively engage with disability support organisations via the Labour Market Partnership, to deliver programmes supporting young people with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions
Council has rolled out the Autism Friendly Borough initiative, including pre-visit guides, Autism Champions, and training for local businesses and organisations
Changing Places facilities are provided at major Council events, alongside the introduction of “relaxed sessions”
We have added relaxed and signed theatre performances for Christmas 2025

The formation of the Disability Lived Experience Group is progressing with the first meeting of Elected Members to take place on 10th December. Thereafter, expressions of interest will be sought from the community which will enable the group to be constituted.

Public Questions to Council

Public Questions to Council

Answers to Public Questions

Public Questions and Answers - November 2025: