Alliance Councillors call for independent investigation into expenditure on Gondola project

The row in the council chambers continues as Alliance councillors press home their campaign to have an independent investigation into why a large sum of money appears to have been lost as the National Trust pull back on the Gondola project.

Alliance Newry Mourne and Down Councillors Jill Truesdale and Tierna Howie have written calling for an independent investigation by the Northern Ireland Audit Office into the money spent so far in progressing the controversial Gondola project on the slopes of the Mourne Mountains, Newcastle.

Last week, the National Trust announced it would not be considering a bid for the use of land at Thomas’s Quarry to facilitate the Gondola and visitor station. The project received a contribution of £30m through the Belfast Region City Deal, with the remainder of the expenses to be covered by the district’s ratepayers.

Cllr Truesdale said: “Alliance has consistently expressed concerns about the viability of the Gondola project, particularly regarding financial expenditures and environmental impact.

“I have spoken at length before about the glaring lack of transparency and seeming disregard for how best to utilise ratepayers’ money in the case of this project, especially when a great number of local residents expressed deep concerns and frustrations against it. 

“Openness, transparency, and ensuring value for money should be at the heart of decision making at every level of government.

“As a party, we are gravely concerned as to how much money has been spent to date on a project that didn’t have the basic requirement of a lease in place to secure the site. 

“I have written to the audit office to request an independent investigation into how much money has been spent to date.”

Cllr Howie added: “It is essential that any such investigation is carried out by the NIAO to allow for an impartial overview.

“This project has been very contentious and unwanted by a huge majority of people, both residents and visitors to Newcastle and those who love the natural beauty of the Mournes.

“Alliance has been the only party to raise concerns consistently about the severe risk of progressing and spending money without a lease agreement.

“We therefore feel it is only right to look across all the details and for the public to know exactly what money has been spent and how this was allowed to continue.

“In the meantime, my Alliance colleagues and I will continue to explore viable and sustainable alternative proposals for the Mourne Mountain Gateway project and work to ensure that the £30million Belfast Region City Deal money remains in Newry Mourne and Down.”

Notice of Motion received from Councillor Truesdale was deferred under section 16.1 of the Local Government Act. Council chair said it would be heard at the next emergency meeting of the Programme Board at Council over the next week or so.

Jill Truesdale read the motion: “This Council notes the recent announcement that the National Trust has paused discussions with Newry Mourne and Down District Council regarding the Mourne Mountain Gateway Project. The Council further notes the widespread concern expressed by residents across the district, and recognises that progressing this project in the absence of a secured lease presents significant financial and legal risks. This Council therefore agrees to:

• pause all further work and expenditure relating to the Mourne Mountain Gateway Project until clarity is obtained regarding the position of the National Trust;

• undertake a full review of the project, including the exploration of viable and sustainable alternative proposals to the gondola element of the project – such as the development of a visitor centre in Donard Park – to improve access and enhance tourism in the Mournes.“

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Council Chair Makes Statement On The Floundering Gondola Project

Last Monday evening (5th May), at a full meeting of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Council Chair Cllr Pete Byrne (SDLP) made a statement during his opening remarks about the difficulties around the Mourne Mountain Gateway Project, namely the ‘Gondola Project’.

He said that Councillors Oonagh Hanlon (Sinn Féin) and Laura Devlin (SDLP) had requested an emergency meeting of the programme board to see where the Council stands with this project now that the National Trust has decided not to agree on a lease leaving the project in limbo.

One of the proposals in trying to move forward was to call the National Trust to a full meeting with Councillors and officers. Another included engaging quickly with the Belfast Region City Deal team as soon as possible to work out next steps “so we can know what we can do and not do”.

Cllr Byrne said: “We need to inform the public what is happening, and we we need to try and keep the funding within the Newry Mourne and Down area.

“We have three meetings planned this week and into next week then have another emergency meeting with the Programme Board after all that. We will inform and update the full council on these details.

“There has been a lot of media coverage and this has been a disappointing decision [by the National Trust] on the project. It does not fall at the feet of council officers.

“The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Council and the National Trust and we were asked to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment which we were doing. The National Trust have pulled out of this.

“We tried our best to get more information to the Belfast City Deal team. The funding is in the hands of the City Deal team not the Council. There are 6 city deal areas through councils and five areas have drawn down funding so far.

“We will do all we can to retain the funding in the district. If anyone has any ideas please contact the Council management team about alternative projects.

“It is important to get all the the information in so we can better understand a way forward. It was a very competitive process and our Council succeeded in identifying two projects.”

CAMPAIGN GROUP IS ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST COUNCILLORS SITTING ON THE FENCE

The Mourne Gateway Info Group which has coordinated much of the campaign along with the SOD OFF group against the Gondola Project along with the Alliance Party councillors and South Down MLA are holding councillors’ feet to the fire.

A row on the Facebook campaign page saw Councillor Gareth Sharvin (SDLP) severely rebuked. It may well be yet as more information becomes public that Councillors could be reported to the Local Government Ombudsman for allegedly making incorrect actions as the Info Group indicates, but hopefully common sense will prevail and positive solutions will emerge.

But a lot rests in the hands of the Belfast Region City Deal team who yet have to assess the fallout over the National Trust not agreeing to provide a lease and the Council ploughing ahead assuming a lease would be forthcoming.

If the Council has to foot the bill for a major project failure, who will pay the huge costs already spent on consultants etc ? The Council managers and councillors too will be working overtime to address these issues. But importantly, the importance of keeping the funding earmarked for South Down in place to drive economic well-being etc will indeed be a gargantuan task.

Check out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mournegatewayinfogroup

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Background:

September 2023.