Lagan Valley Jobs and Benefits Office workers forced out of Lisburn
UUP Policing Spokeperson Basil McCrea MLA showed serious concern for the how the office relocation may create security issues, and hinder staff's family life
Three weeks ago an unexpected decision was taken by the Jobs and Benefits Office to relocate their Lisburn based Job seekers and Income support staff to Andersonstown.
MLA Basil McCrea stated how the decision will affect locals; “There is no doubt that some of the 350 new claims, or hundreds of individuals who use the centre each month will now have to travel to Andersonstown to speak to specialists on certain issues.”
“Speaking as a Policing Board Member I feel the interests of ex-service PSNI officers, or currently serving military officers claiming benefits such as income support or pensions are not being given adequate consideration Read more
Killultagh UUP Council Candidate and local Ballinderry residents group call for an end to ‘No Man’s Land’
Ballinderry resident Darren Leavesley son, Harry Leaveley stuck in a pothole. Joined by Downshire UUP Candidate Alistair O’Hara, Basil McCrea MLA, and Killultagh UUP Candidate Roy Hanna
UUP Council candidate Roy Hanna and Lagan Valley election candidate Basil McCrea MLA, have called for a resolution to an extraordinary ongoing road maintenance issue on Moss Lane in Lower Ballinderry, a 400m portion of which has not been tarred in over 25 years.
Aptly nicknamed by local residents ‘no man’s land’, the inertia of the local authorities and the increasingly dangerous state of the road has continually been putting residents and road users at risk of serious injury.
Killultagh Council UUP Candidate Roy Hanna stated, “Attempts to resolve the issue have fallen on deaf ears, with the Eastern division of road service leaving the burden to the Southern division.” Read more
Basil McCrea comments on prosed changes to Planning applications
UUP MLA for Lagan Valley and Lisburn city councillor Basil McCrea
Today the BBC reported on the prosed sweeping reforms to the planning system;
“Edwin Poots said a planning bill would return control of planning to councils and would eventually mean councillors making most planning decisions.
He added that the Planning Service would be abolished and staff absorbed into his department.”
However, UUP MLA for Lagan Valley and Lisburn city councillor Basil McCrea said that the new system could prove a double-edged sword for local representatives. Read more
A-Level Courses axed from South Eastern Regional College Lisburn Campus
The decision to axe second year A-Levels from the Lisburn campus of the South Eastern regional College has been described as a moral betrayal of educational trust by Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea.
Students who either wish to complete A Level courses started last year or embark on new courses have been left, said Mr. McCrea, “between a rock and hard place.”
“The only way that those students can now complete their courses is if they are prepared to travel to the Bangor campus of SERC.
“It is bureaucracy gone mad and is a public relations disaster for SERC. Read more
YFCUs Rural road safety campaign launch ‘great success’ says local MLA
Last night local Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea attended the Young Farmers Club’s of Ulster launch of their Northern Ireland wide Rural Road Safety campaign for 16 – 25 year olds with their County Armagh and Down members.
“YFCUs efforts have really paid off,” said Mr. McCrea. “Without a doubt, our young people are the most vulnerable on the roads; 1 in 8 drivers in the UK are under 25, but a quarter of drivers who die in traffic collisions are in this age group. The YFCUs campaign is a running start in the right direct for the promotion of road safety and reduction of accidents that could leave otherwise healthy and happy young people with drastically altered lives or worse.” Read more
Milwaukee Festival welcomes a unionist MLA from Stormont Assembly
MLA Basil McCrea left this morning to visit the internationally renowned Milwaukee Festival which this year is focusing on Northern Ireland. Mr McCrea, as a strong Unionist voice abroad, will represent Northern Ireland’s cultural diversity and, will take this opportunity to present the benefits of investing in Northern Ireland. Read more
New programme to raise benefit awareness
MLA Basil McCrea has welcomed a decision by the Land and Property Services to begin a new informative programme for Lisburn residents, making them aware of their entitlements to rate reliefs, postponement, and housing benefits.
“This is a very important new initiative, especially for the elderly and disabled members of our community” said Mr. McCrea. “There are many on lower incomes that struggle to meet these costs and without knowing could be paying more than they ought. Read more
McCrea responds to DUPs tabled report for extension to Tescos in Lisburn
Commenting on a Tabled Report informing the Council of the decision by the Planning Service to approve a large extension to Tescos, Basil McCrea MLA stated;
“I was extremely surprised that such key information was brought forward in this way. I was also disappointed that Jonathan Craig and other DUP representatives seemed to want to stage manage a response to this planning application.” Read more
Portable Toilet currently only solution to vandals
At the beginning of this month, a portable toilet was installed adjacent to the bus-stop opposite the High School, as the public toilets within the park have been vandalised simply too many times.
Banbridge District Council have found that it has become too costly to continually clear up the mess left by youths time and time again, and instead have opted to make the Dromore Park toilets only available for use by disabled persons, or authorised groups such as primary, pre-school or playgroup organisers and teachers. Regrettably this list of authorised groups or persons does not include elderly persons in the park, or parents with the young children who will both be forced to use the portable toilet outside the park. Read more
Boyles Restaurant Scores Top Marks
Basil McCrea outside Boyles, with Darwin Martin and Raymond Murry
Local restaurant, Boyle’s of Dromore, has received the highest score ever achieved in the recent Taste of Ulster Inspection- 99%! Manager Darwin Martin, award winning chef Raymond Murray and their team were awarded this honour as a result of their exceptionally high level of commitment to local sourcing and their passion and enthusiasm for good local food.
Tucked away in an historic 220 year old building in Castle Street, Dromore, Boyle’s is a sophisticated, modern Irish fusion restaurant. This Taste of Ulster Award is the most recent acknowledgment of Boyle’s exceptionally high level of commitment to local sourcing and professional customer service. Read more
