Jim Shannon MP and Rowallene Councillor Billy Walker have met with Communities Minister Paul Givan regarding Ballynahinch Social Security Office and demanded that a public voice must must be heard on consultation.
Jim Shannon MP for Strangford, speaking after a meeting with Minister f Givan said:
“We had a very forthright and constructive meeting with the Minister and his team regarding the consultation for the closure of the Ballynahinch Office which has now opened.
“A consultation consultation process will now last for eight weeks and what was made abundantly clear was the fact that if the public in BAllynahinch want a Social Security Office in Ballynahinch, they MUST respond to this consultation.
“Whether collectively in a standardised letter, or individually worded, it is essential that the consultation shows how the Ballynahinch and surrounding areas will be adversely effected as a result of this closure.
“The proposal on the table is to close the office as the works that are needed to bring it up to standards are excessive and that as the other offices in Lisburn, Downpatrick and Knockbreda are only just over 10 miles away the services can be provided there.
“I immediately made it clear to the Minister that it is not an easy payment for a 19 year old on JSA who gets £57.35 a week to spend £13.80 on bus fares to get to his nearest office twice a month.
“These proposals were made in 2010 before the idea of Universal credit was mooted – the work load of the office will increase and to believe that people can have an acceptable level of service by travelling to other extremely busy offices is just not logical and the consultation process must reflect this.
I understand that an accountant works with figures – but this is working with the lives of the vulnerable, those who need help and support to get in to work and this cannot reasonably be achieved by closing this office. Whilst I accept that some work must be carried out I believe that it can and will house the universal credit team well and that it is essential for the people of the area that this is retained. I ensured the Minister understood this and now I am saying to all of those with an interest – please take the time to respond – as it is only with a huge response to underscore the importance of this office that the department will take note. The onus is on us for our office in our area – we must respond – I undertake to do and hope that you will do the same”
Cllr Billy Walker also said: “This consultation process is the only opportunity that we have to retain this office and although the Minister can be under no illusion as to our opinions, this must be backed up with the support of the people and this is what needs to happen.
“I know how busy that office is and I do not believe it can be successfully merged with other offices and this is our chance to influence the decision. I am available to supply figures if needed and ask most sincerely that you do a few lines or a few pages response to show how needed this office is for so many in the area.”
Sinn Féin Call For review Of SSO Closure In Newcastle
Sinn Fein Councillor Willie Clarke has called for the public to respond to a consultation that will determine the future of Newcastle Social security office.
Cllr Clarke said: “There is currently a public consultation into the future of a number of social security offices, they are; Newcastle, social security office and job market, Cookstown Social Security Office and JobCentre, and the Ballynahinch social security office.I would urge all users to respond to this consultation which will have dire consequences for the most vulnerable.Local staff have a number of concerns from their perspective, including possible job losses as a result of job-redeployment, as well as the very real practical difficulties as a result of having to travel to job redeployment.
“The primary concern in all of this should be the claimant and as we head into further economic uncertainty and hardship, the Minister for Communities should ensure these closures are not realised, The Social Security Offices across the North are a vital service which will no doubt act as a further assistance as we face into darker economic uncertainty due to the Brexit result.”
The public consultation will run for eight weeks, closing on Tuesday 15 November. The consultation documents will be available via the DfC website:
www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations
and a number of hard copies will be available from the affected and neighbouring offices.
