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ANALYSIS: Time to call a day on unenforceable bonfire scheme

At a time when essential resources across Belfast are falling victim to austerity and uncertainty as a result of the political crisis, ongoing funding of bonfire groups remains controversial among ratepayers.

Since 2005 Belfast city council has run an annual scheme aimed at reducing problems associated with the loyalist fires, offering grants for family fun days in return for commitments not to burn tires or offensive symbols.

At first considered a success in reducing carcinogenic material on fires, the limitations of a scheme based on incentives but with no penalties has since become evident.

The carrot and carrot approach meant offensive symbols, flags, political posters and even effigies of suicidal teenagers were burnt on some funded fires with no financial consequences for those involved.

Any attempt to promote stricter adherence to the spirit of the scheme has simply resulted in loyalists groups refusing to sign up, knowing funding with no restriction can always be sourced from other bodies.

And so by 2017 you have to ask what are the long term objective of a scheme that is increasingly rejected by the community it is targetting?

Money that is arguably being wasted on a failing scheme might be better spent on much needed youth provision in working class loyalist areas.