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Lisburn and Castlereagh Transitional Committee Welcomes Minister Poots16 October 2009
The Lisburn City Council and Castlereagh Borough Council Transition Committee welcomed Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, to its meeting today.
The Transition Committee, representing both Lisburn and Castlereagh elected members is progressing the Review of Public Administration work, which will see a new Council entity created by the 2011 timescale, as set by the Department of the Environment.
The Chairman of the Castlereagh and Lisburn Transition Committee, Councillor Jonathan Craig, MLA, welcomed the Minister to the meeting of the Transition Committee:
“On behalf of the Transition Committee, I would like to thank the Minister for meeting with us to day, giving us the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues that are unique to the proposed Lisburn and Castlereagh merger. It is critical that the Minister listens to these questions and that meaningful answers are given, either during the meeting or by the Department of the Environment following our discussions today,” said Councillor Craig.
He continued: “We cannot overemphasise how serious the situation is, that Lisburn and Castlereagh now face. Unlike any other proposed Council area in Northern Ireland, the new arrangements will see a 3-way split with up to 40% of Lisburn and Castlereagh being lost to Belfast.
“There have been no proposals brought forward on how to address such a radical cull and these are now desperately needed if we are to move ahead.
“While our Transition Committee has initiated discussions with Belfast, clarification and answers must be provided by the Department.
“Staffing, estate and building transfer and its associated debt management are alI issues that are significantly more complicated under the regime proposed for Lisburn and Castlereagh. How these issues are handled will have serious repercussions for the new Council area and I urge the Department to provide urgent clarification on the way forward,” said Councillor Craig.
Vice Chair of the Transition Committee, Councillor Brian Hanvey, added: “The Minister’s visit demonstrates the importance of the work being carried out by the Transition Committee representing Castlereagh Borough Council and Lisburn City Council. The two merging Councils are working well together and progress has been made in developing our strategy for the provision of services within the new council. In conclusion the Transition Committee members found the Minister’s visit helpful and productive.”
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