Additional costs arise for planning applications and revised locations for three centenary stones in Armagh.
Back in 2020, they planned the Northern Ireland Centenary. The plan included fifteen commemorative stones. They wanted to put them all over the borough. Members originally wanted three stones at headquarters. They agreed on locations for the other twelve stones.
Installation is ongoing, with two stones already placed in Lurgan and Dromore. Three stones need new locations in Loughgall, Portadown, and Magheralin. The stones cost £2,925, already paid. They planned to use council staff on council sites.
The new sites made things more costly. Revised location costs were around £8,400, an amount the council approved before. Nine sites aren’t on council land, with planning applications costing £990 each. The total extra cost is £9,900.
Portadown needed two planning submissions. The council will cover these costs in the current budget. In Loughgall Park, the stone goes near the reception on the grass, not the footpath. In Magheralin, it will be in a flower bed at the Newforge/Steps Road junction.
The Portadown stone goes next to the war memorial bench. They are moving them to prevent tripping hazards. Councillor Savage asked about the late cost awareness, thinking the stone project was complete. He questioned if the £9,900 was just backdated funding.
Rosemary Hughes said the money covers planning applications, not all of which are done yet. The funds moved between departments. The original installation request was £8,400. The council needs outside help for private land because maintenance teams cannot work there. They hired an engineering firm for the installation.
Councillor Savage wanted to be sure about the Portadown site, asking if there were issues with the planning for it and if it will need to be resubmitted. A council officer spoke about the Portadown site issues. They contacted the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) because the plaza was too busy for the stone and they need to be careful during events. The officer talked about the last application and stated DfI said they foresee no problems now.
Councillor McIlwrath thanked the officer and team, appreciating their effort and hard work. He supported the added funding proposal. Alderman Baxter said ratepayers won’t pay extra and noted the long process since the centenary. Planning issues caused problems.
He said the money is moving between council accounts, only costing staff and planner time. The money stays within the council’s budget, which he saw as a transfer in the same bank. Baxter seconded the proposal, commenting it will be nice to see them installed soon. He hoped that they will be finished before the next centenary.