FAQs

The council has powers under the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 to make byelaws, which are essentially local laws designed to deal with local issues. 

Such byelaws can be made by the council for the good rule and government of the whole, or any part of the district, for the prevention and suppression of nuisances, or for any purpose for which byelaws may be made by it under any other transferred provision.

Byelaws must be approved by the Department for Communities before they can come into force.

The council has received a high number of complaints in recent years in relation to loud busking, religious preaching, and various other activities involving the use of amplification devices and/or the display of graphic imagery in the city centre. 

These byelaws will help to reduce the unacceptable nuisance caused by the cumulative impact of these activities in the city centre.  

The council considers that there is a balance to be struck between recognising these forms of expression, whilst at the same time protecting the role and function of the city centre for both individuals and businesses. 

The proposed byelaws would require a person to obtain a permit from the council before they would be allowed to use an amplification device in a public place within the city centre. 

They would also require a person to obtain a permit from the council before placing a stand, stall, or vehicle with promotional literature or information, including the display of graphic imagery, (whether connected to a business, charity, political or any other non-commercial purpose) in a public place within the city centre.

Anyone carrying out these activities without a permit will be in breach of the byelaws. Permit holders will also be required to comply with the conditions of their permit and any code of conduct that may be produced and may have their permit revoked if they fail to do so.

It is proposed that a modest annual fee will be charged to cover the costs of administering the permit scheme.