Following Environment Minister Edwin Poots announcement in the Assembly today that he is going to return planning control to councils, Alliance Environment Spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said that his plans do not go far enough to save money in local government. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “The Minister failed to implement the Review of Public […]
Alliance Employment Spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has spoken in the Assembly today supporting the ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign to tackle violence against shopworkers. Here are excerpts from his speech (subject to change) East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle said: “Community safety is the foundation for any democratic society and a prerequisite for economic development and investment. […]
Alliance Education Spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said that any prep school closures will have a negative impact on public finances as they mean that the public purse will have to foot the bill for the cost of educating the children affected in the state sector. His comments come following plans being outlined regarding the […]
East Antrim Alliance Assembly Candidate Stewart Dickson has expressed fears that the newly-introduced Air Passenger Duty could make people who travel from Northern Ireland airports want to use airports in the Republic of Ireland instead. The first of two increases in air passenger transport duty took effect here at the start of November. He also […]
On the day that a new coalition of local business organisations wrote an open letter calling for a reduction in the corporation tax rate, Alliance Finance Spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA has said the Westminster government must heed that call and must not be found wanting in relation to the economic challenges Northern Ireland faces. Dr […]
East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed confirmation that funding for the Ballymac Centre Playzone Afterschools Club has been extended by OFMDFM until March 2011. Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said:”The parents and children who benefit from Playzone have been waiting on this confirmation of funding since May 2010. There were serious breakdowns in communication […]
The Alliance Party has selected sitting Councillor Barney Fitzpatrick to retain his seat in the Skerries ward on Coleraine Council, a seat he won by topping the poll a by-election in 2006. Alliance has also selected former party chair, Yvonne Boyle to stand in Coleraine East and University student Graham Scobie to stand in Coleraine […]
North Down Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has raised concerns that the area around Twisel Bridge, Holywood could soon be flooded if immediate action isn’t taken. The Alliance representative has been pressing the Rivers Agency to take action but fears it may soon be too late. Cllr Muir stated “In late September I asked the Rivers […]
Today South Antrim Alliance MLA, David Ford, welcomed the outcome of the court case taken by McQuillan’s Envirocare against Antrim Borough Council. Last week, judgement was given in the case, which was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in October, and the judge found for the council. During the case, David Ford was the […]
Antrim Alliance Councillor Oran Keenan and local MLA David Ford have condemned an incident involving a pipe bomb being left outside a house in Portlee Walk in Parkhall estate in Antrim. The army bomb squad we called to the scene around 8.30pm last night and this is the second time the house has been targeted […]