Clarke welcomes dog control order proposals for Newcastle promenade and beach

Newcastle Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the approval by Down Council on recommendations for dog control orders under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act regarding Newcastle Promenade, Newcastle beach and foreshore. Councillor Patrick Clarke said: “For many years certain irresponsible dog owners have used Newcastle beach and promenade as a recreation and dog fouling […]

Dickson condemns arson attacks in Greenisland

Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has condemned three arson attacks that happened overnight in Greenisland. Mr Dickson has visited the location of the fires in Mullaghmore Park and Knocksallagh Park, in which a car, a shed and an unoccupied building were set on fire. Stewart Dickson MLA said: “I utterly condemn the people responsible […]

Bid for concessionary rate on high hedges defeated.

Castlereagh Alliance Councillor Carole Howard has expressed her disappointment after a proposal to introduce a concessionary rate for the elderly and those on low incomes who want to make complaints about high hedges in the borough was defeated by councillors from the DUP, UUP and SDLP, who only agreed to review the matter of a […]

NI missing the opportunity to get the most out of Post Offices

A new report ‘A front office for government services’ by Consumer Focus Post, the postal consumer champion in Northern Ireland (NI), says post offices could and should be providing more key government services. This would have dual benefits of improving access to services for consumers and increasing the sustainability of the post office network that […]

Cochrane concerned for impact on charities from Treasury proposals on tax relief

Alliance Finance Spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA has expressed concern on the impact on charities from the Treasury’s proposals for reducing tax relief for donations to a charity. Her comments were made during an Assembly debate on this issue. Judith Cochrane MLA said: “I have been contacted by a number of representatives from a range of […]