McGrath reminds people of local school uniform support scheme

Alliance Councillor Julian McGrath has reminded local people there is support locally to avoid getting into debt over school uniforms, with an official scheme in place for the second year running. Brought forward by Alliance to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the uniform scheme benefits all who need it. Alderman McGrath encouraged all those considering […]

Questions remain to be answered over Runwood Homes profit, says McGrath

Questions remain to be answered after Runwood Homes made an almost £20 million profit despite receiving public money to support it during the worst of the pandemic, Alliance Councillor Julian McGrath has said. The company, which operated Glenabbey Care Home in Glengormley, received £2 million in government grants, while accruing a profit of £19.8 million […]

McGrath appeals to those behind war memorial attacks to stop, following latest vandalism

Alliance Glengormley Councillor Julian McGrath has appealed to those behind attacks on the local war memorial to stop. Councillor McGrath was speaking after another attack on the town’s memorial, which has been desecrated a number of times in the past few months. The latest, which took place in broad daylight today (Thursday), saw poppy wreaths […]

Alliance pushes for openness and transparency as Council meetings move online

The Alliance Party has pushed for greater openness and transparency at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, ensuring officers investigate how to live cast meetings going forward, allowing the public full access. The move follows a meeting of the local government authority on Thursday, as Councillors agreed how Council business would be carried out in the […]

Webb says Alliance will continue to push for value for ratepayers

Alliance Councillor Billy Webb has welcomed Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s setting of its residential rates to 1.99 per cent, the lowest increase across Northern Ireland since the creation of the ‘super councils’ in 2015. Councillor Webb was speaking after the Council announced the increase, which comes into effect on April 1. “I am pleased […]

School uniform burden will be lifted for many with scheme, says McGrath

A huge burden on families across Antrim and Newtownabbey will be lifted with easier access to pre-worn school uniforms, Alliance’s Julian McGrath has said, after his proposal for a scheme providing them took a step closer to being realised. Alderman McGrath said he was delighted with the backing from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Community […]

Campbell hits out at Department for removing streetlights on roads

Alliance Newtownabbey Councillor Tom Campbell has hit out at the Department for Infrastructure (DFI), after it confirmed it intends to remove faulty streetlights on unadopted roads rather than repairing them. Councillor Campbell was speaking after a presentation to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council by the DFI, in which he quizzed them over the issue of […]

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council shows #MenstruationMatters – Finlay

Alliance Councillor Glenn Finlay has said that Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has shown it is a progressive council, following acceptance of his proposal that free sanitary products are provided in council buildings and leisure centres. Councillor Finlay said: “Having worked with period poverty activist Katrina McDonnell from the Homeless Period Belfast, I was inspired to […]