Armagh Banbridge Craigavon councillors to tackle graffiti despite funding differences

Councillors have agreed to tackle a “sudden resurgence” in graffiti despite differences of opinion about how they might fund the plan.

A lengthy debate on the issue, calling on ABC Council to allocate adequate resources to tackle the problem, highlighted the complexity of the issue, at the April 29 monthly meeting of the local authority.

In the end, councillors agreed to explore a way forward which would include partnership-working with other agencies to handle such a mammoth and costly task.

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The notice of motion, proposed by Councillor Kyle Moutray (DUP, Portadown DEA) and seconded by Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath (DUP, Portadown DEA) was worded as follows: “We the undersigned hereby propose: This council recognises the impact graffiti has on communities in terms of the visual appearance of towns and villages, and on the wellbeing of residents across the borough.

“We further acknowledge the public and private damage caused and unsightliness of the growing amount of graffiti within this borough, on walls, shutters, utility boxes and bus stops. As the council has the authority (…) to remove or obliterate any graffiti which, in the opinion of the council, is detrimental to the amenity of any land in its district, procedures should now be put in place to address this blight.

“Accordingly, Council agrees to allocate the necessary funding and resources to tackle the blight of graffiti in this borough.”

Cllr Moutray explained why he felt so strongly on this issue: “The motion I present this evening is prompted by the sudden resurgence of the blight of graffiti across this borough. It comes from a very genuine concern for the impact this has on both the visual appearance of our towns and villages, and indeed the impact this has on the wellbeing of residents.

“The presence of graffiti has been a long-stemming issue that both I, my predecessors, and many other members in this chamber have condemned and sought to address. In recent months, I along with my constituents have noticed an unprecedented amount of graffiti on walls, on shutters, on bus stops and utility boxes.

“Complaints have been brought to me by high-street shoppers, by business owners, and in my own DEA of Portadown, I really fear for the impression this sets on those visiting the town, and for those who have to live with this in their vicinity. Unfortunately, graffiti is the first thing that people see when they disembark at bus stops. It can be seen at our pay and display council car parks, and it can be seen for those exiting our train station.

“The scenic Bann Bridge in Portadown is spoiled by mindless graffiti and in recent months, it is now becoming common in residential areas where this was never the case previously. I have mentioned my own DEA of Portadown, but I am aware this is also problematic and an issue in Craigavon and Lurgan, and members I think we have to be frank and honest, and say this has the potential to rear its head anywhere across the borough.

“Of course there is a wider discussion to be had with the police, with regards to ongoing investigations, enforcement, and education on the matter, but this will not result in the removal of the abundance of graffiti that’s already in place. In my own experience of earnestly trying to report graffiti through Council, I understand that the removal of graffiti is only really limited to graffiti that’s considered by PCSP (Policing & Community Safety Partnership) to be offensive and their resources only extend this far.

“I have engaged with the PCSP previously to have graffiti that falls under this category removed, and they’ve done so promptly. However this constraint does not allow for the removal of graffiti outside this category, which I would argue is likely the vast majority.

“My own DEA, Portadown, is currently littered with tags, and these tags are not deemed offensive but they are very much an eyesore and they’re undoubtedly criminal damage. It is my belief that Council can play a bigger role in addressing this issue, and without intervention we allow it to spiral out of control.

“The only way we are going to get to grips with this is by actively exploring an effective system that works for Council, for residents, and for all statutory bodies involved. At the heart of this, the removal of graffiti increases public confidence and pride for our community and our public shared spaces, it reduces the fear of crime and it helps people feel safer and more secure in the places they live.

“Tonight I am seeking support for this motion, to allow Council to explore options to eliminate graffiti, and in turn to make our communities cleaner, tidier places to live, work and play.”

Councillor Kate Evans (UUP, Craigavon DEA) felt that the council couldn’t do it alone, and that the likes of graffitied road signage needed involvement from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

“The town is in absolute shambles with the graffiti everywhere, and anytime a resident goes out and paints over it again, it’s almost as if they just see ‘challenge accepted’ and they’re back out the next night doing it again,” said Cllr Evans.

“There is also an issue here in regards to road signs all being covered in graffiti, and I would like to propose that we add on an amendment that says that this council will contact DfI to make sure that they take responsibility and swift action to remove any graffiti on the road signs within the borough.”

Councillor Catherine Nelson (Sinn Féin, Craigavon DEA) pointed out that appropriate resource had to be secured first to tackle the issue: “We absolutely agree with the sentiment of the motion. I would like to place on record our thanks to the PCSP, they do sterling work and are very proactive in relation to removing graffiti that is offensive, or indeed where someone is named.

“Obviously legislatively we can’t remove graffiti that is not on land owned by the council. The wording from Cllr Moutray and Cllr McIlwrath was a lot more exploratory than the motion maybe suggests.

“Certainly our party would be up for this forum and discussion, and then us building it into the estimates process going forward. At the minute we have no funding set aside for this, we don’t have staffing for this, we’re already short-staffed across a number of areas, so I would have concern about us being able to deliver in the coming months.

“So if the proposer could just clarify if he is happy that we’re going to explore it and there isn’t a rigid time frame on that. If there is a rigid time frame then we would want to amend it slightly to build it into the upcoming estimates process.”

Cllr Moutray argued that appropriate funding could be sourced: “I think within the estimates process there is room to to explore pots of funding, to explore whether there is means to allow for that, so I’m happy to to accept both amendments that have been raised here tonight.”

But Cllr Nelson was adamant that the funding simply wasn’t there.

She added: “I sat through the estimates process. We don’t have random pots of funding that we can allocate to random initiatives, unless I’ve completely misunderstood months and months of meetings that I attended.”

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