Ards and North Down Council approved the 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championship and a Fleadh Fringe event for Saturday, August 1, in Bangor. The Fleadh Fringe connects to the All Ireland Fleadh in Belfast and anticipates 5,000 attendees.

The council assigned £40,000 to the Fleadh Fringe at Holborn Square car park and £36,700 to the pipe band championship at Ward Park. Unionist councillors deferred the approval initially to check for another date for the Fleadh Fringe.

Council officers found no alternative date and stated the Fleadh Fringe would likely be cancelled without August 1. Councillors then approved both events.

A DUP amendment passed that requires a review of the council's events strategy. The review will examine support for volunteer-led events and ways to improve communication with councillors. Independent Unionists Steven Irvine and Wesley Irvine opposed the amendment.

Alliance councillor Chris McCracken said a prior Place and Prosperity Committee discussion covered costs, process, and value, and approved the report by a large majority. He stated the selected date, location, and budget suit the events and will provide social and economic returns via musical activities.

DUP councillor Alistair Cathcart proposed the amendment and noted his party's questions on council process and Fleadh Fringe funding. Alliance alderman Martin McRandal backed the approval of both the events and the amendment.