Down District CAB Faces Increase In Local Queries
A PROGRESS report on Down District Citizen Advice Bureau has been released during a recent Down District Council Recreation & Community Services Committee meeting. The report entails a statistical analysis of targets and results achieved, covering the period from 1st October 2010 to 31st March 2011. The report was presented by Mr Damian Brannigan, Community Relations Officer for Down District Council. Mr Brannigan said there has been a very high demand for the services the Citizen Advice Bureau offers adding this was attributed to those using the Citizen Advice Bureau presenting with more than one problem or query at one time. This is reflected in the results table below. Councillors present at the committee meeting praised Sandra Ogle, Downpatrick CAB manager and her staff for their key role in the community and their continuing hard work.
Black Grouse Award for Jim Shannon
STRANGFORD MP Jim Shannon has been recognised for the outstanding contribution he has made to country sports in Ireland.
He is the first recipient of the new Great Game Fairs Black Grouse Trophy, awarded in memory of the late Major William Brownlow and formally presented by his widow, Mrs Eveleigh Brownlow, at the official launch of the 2011 Irish Game Fair which will be held at Shanes Castle on 25th and 26th June.
Bangor Coastguard Received Strong Support Says Ritchie
SDLP leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has said the consultation into the closure of Bangor Coastguard station shows the British government underestimated the strong feeling within the local community and the ramifications that would be caused by its closure.
Ms Ritchie was speaking during a debate at Westminster on Tuesday where she congratulated the case put forth by local people and organisations to the consultation.
Ritchie Says Taoiseach Should Visit Assembly
SDLP Leader and South Down MP Margaret Ritchie MLA has written to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly suggesting that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny should be invited to Parliament Buildings to address the Assembly.
She said, “With new administrations in Dublin and London and a new Executive in Belfast there is a real opportunity for a recalibration of politics in Ireland.
Sinn Féin Call For End To Fly Tipping
Sinn Féin Councillorxa0Éamonn Mac Conxa0Midhe has called on those people involved in fly tipping inxa0Downpatrick and surrounding areas to use the amenity centre inxa0Downpatrick in the interests of both health and the environment.
Councillor Mac Conxa0Midhe said,xa0“We have seen an increase in fly tipping in the area since Down District Council introduced charges for household bulk collections, as a small minority of people have been loading up their vehicles with household rubbish and dumping it in both their own housing estates and in the countryside.”
“When the arguments were being put forward by our political opponents in regard to the introduction of charges, Sinnxa0Féin was the only party to strenuously oppose the introduction of these charges along with the removal of the rubble skip in the amenity centre. We warned that it would not only lead to an increase in fly tipping, but a policy built on a false economy, in that the number of people paying the £10 removal charge would not compensate for the amount it costs Down District Council to remove such illegal dumping.”
He also called for a more “transparent” system of dealing with decisions taken in regard to Council rates and charges, and added,xa0“In an effort to re-connect people with their local government I believe it would be in the ratepayers’ interests to have the Rates Working Parties meetings open to the public, or at the very least minutes could be published, so ratepayers can see how parties are voting on the issues that affect their everyday lives.”]]>
Beyond NI Business Programme Calls For Mentors
Could you be a Mentor for the Beyond Programme? xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 xa0 (Advertorial)
The Beyond NI Programme which aims to support local businesses in the Down District Council area is currently calling for mentors to work with local companies to support their future development.
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