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 in this decision.”

“The relocation of some claimant matters will create security issues that do not currently exist at a time of increased dissident activity.”

Speaking on the disruption to office staff Mr McCrea stated, “The staff have told me that they were only informed that they would have to relocate less than a month ago, and by the 4^th of July.”

“Many of the staff were only able to commit to part time hours at this office due to caring responsibility of elderly loved ones or very young children at local schools.”

“This interruption has put staff in a position where they may have to look for other jobs and since we are still battling high levels of unemployment this is simply cruel.”

One staff member from the Bow House Office added; “The Jobs and Benefit’s Office aims to have all staff with similar specializations located at the same office, whether it is convenient or not.”

“We will be provided with financial assistance to cover the costs of the extra distance to travel.”

“This money would be better spent on retraining staff members with skills that will allow them to stay in the Lisburn office.”

Mr McCrea added “It is a disgrace that the Minister for Social Development, Alex Attwood, has given so little consideration to the disruption to family life and the difficult position this decision has puts local inhabitants in.”

“I have contacted the Ministers offices and am doing my best to find a reasonable solution to this matter for all parties involved.”

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.”

“The Southern division had previously agreed to provide the maintenance of this area, however in practice they have seriously neglected their obligation claiming to only be obligated to provide superficial road repair.”

A local resident described how dangerous the road has become; “My five grandchildren walk this road every morning to get the bus to school.”

“The road is so badly potholed that cars have to weave in and out large openings; this was extremely hazardous for the children during dark winter mornings when the roads were icy.”

Mr. Hanna then continued, “Local business has also increased, which has meant that large vehicles now use this stretch of road. Yet the DOE has not helped support this crucial increase in economic activity by providing sufficient maintenance to the roads.”

Lagan Valley UUP Assembly candidate Basil McCrea added, “This is bureaucracy at its worst. It seems ridiculous that a division would leave the last 400 meters of road un-tarred. This issue is symptomatic of an unwillingness of authorities to work together to improve the local area.”

This issue will remain as one of UUP Council Candidate Roy Hanna’s priorities coming into the Council elections. Supporting local resident’s key concerns and lobbying for better efficiencies in all departments of Government.

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.

“Councillors often take populist views because they do not have to take decisions,” he said.

“Now, they are going to have take decisions that in the main will not popular.”

Mr McCrea also warned of the dangers of councillors making the wrong decisions and ending up in extensive and potentially expensive litigation.

Read more on BBC News NI by clicking here

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.

“The credibility of the organisation has taken a very serious hit in the eyes of the public. Individuals will be reluctant to sign up for courses if they know that at a stroke they might be axed.

“It is absolutely illogical to expect individuals to carry that additional financial burden in terms of travel costs simply to acquire educational qualifications.

“I understand that as far back as June the management of SERC had intimated that there was a possibility of this happening as part of a reorganisation plan.

“However well intentioned that restructuring was it lacks basic commonsense. Students were allowed a year ago to buy into the prospect of being able to complete their A Level studies over a two year period.

“Now they find that they have been misled. SERC has a moral and ethical responsibility to complete the delivery of the courses that they advertised and promised to finish.

“To try and argue the point that the courses are still available within SERC, if on a different site many miles away is being economical with everyday realities.

“I am extremely angry that these students have been betrayed. SERC has a huge potential contribution to make to the educational needs of people living in the Lisburn area.

“But there are growing fears that the management of SERC is placing far too high a premium on financial rather than educational return.

“SERC appear to have lost sight of the fact that educational provision has to be relevant to the community.

“There is no way that the decision to get rid of A-Level course after they had been started can be justified, especially if SERC is relying on having the support of the Lisburn public,” Mr. McCrea warned.

“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.”

The YFCU’s event also focused on the dangers of drunk driving.

“In light of my colleague, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, efforts this week with Department of Social Development presenting new proposals to investigate cheap alcohol sales in pubs and clubs, I am particularly pleased to see these dangers focused on. We must aim to protect young people from alcoholism and related anti-social behavior, and part of that behaviour can manifest as drunk driving. Seeing the young people here tonight really engaging with the presentations has shown that the YFCUs efforts have gone a very long way.”

The opening event lasted ninety minutes included an interactive road safety presentation from the PSNI and an outdoor reconstruction of a road traffic accident by the Fire and Rescue Service.

Tomorrow Mr. McCrea will begin his programme meeting with  local Police Chief Ed Flynn and Lt. Alan Johnson to discuss the World Police and Fire Games due to be held for the first time ever in Belfast in 2013. The games will see the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Prison Service hosting approximately 10, 000 – 14,000 Law Enforcement Officers and Fire-fighters from around the world who will compete in a wide variety of sporting events.

Following this, Mr. McCrea is to have the distinguished honour of adding his name to the prestigious Milwaukee Press Club’s ‘Signature Collection’. As the longest standing Press Club in North America, the Press Club has a long standing tradition of inviting both national and international dignitaries to add their name to the their wall on specially designed chalk board.  Mr. McCrea’s name will join the list of dignities which includes previous American presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt, and many international Sport’s athletes.

As part of his continued commitment to the Voluntary sector, Mr. McCrea will also be meeting the Milwaukee Chapter of ‘Friends of Saint Patrick’ at the Festival.  The ‘Friends of Saint Patrick’ work alongside the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick to welcome around 12 people aged 20 – 25 from America to Northern Ireland each year. These young people gain a greater cultural understanding of Northern Ireland, and learn about the strong ties between the two countries. On their return to the USA they become Young Ambassadors for Northern Ireland.

During his visit, Mr McCrea will be promoting his own cross- community charity, ‘Friends Forever’, who bring 30 young people aged between 15 -17 to the US annually from Northern Ireland for a 2 week ‘Life-Raft’ program. This begins a year-long experience for the young people to become leaders for peace and reconciliation in their own communities.

Later that afternoon Mr. McCrea will tour the Menomonee Valley and promote Northern Ireland as an investment opportunity to the 21 companies that have recently located there, and to the 7 existing companies which have expanded there too. The impressive redevelopment of this historic area, that played a huge part in Wisconsin’s industrial boom in the last century, has created over 4,200 jobs in Wisconsin over the last 10 years.

Over the next two days of his visit, Mr McCrea has been invited to speak to young people and adults at the Irish Festivals Cultural village as part of their ‘Summer School’ experience. His talk on ”Northern Ireland Government – Moving Forward” will  demonstrate the advantages of having a locally elected NI assembly which has promoted peace and reconciliation between the two communities in Northern Ireland.

Looking forward to his visit Mr McCrea said “The biggest challenge to Northern Ireland is the continual loss of our talented professionals and young people. Due to financial crisis we are currently in there are less jobs available and for every graduate job there are at least 72 applicants. More and more of our young people are moving abroad for work.”

“I am keen to explore new prospects of investment for Northern Ireland, so we can curb the loss of our talents. Business is all about building relationships and it has never been so important to create new connections to revitalise our economy.”

Over 130 thousand people attend the festival each year. Mr McCrea continued “This is a golden opportunity to sell Northern Ireland; to encourage tourism, by my involvement with the World Police and Fire Service games which attracts 10 to 14 thousand annually – and that’s just competitors; and to promote greater understanding between our two countries. As always, there is much to be gained by our continued relationship with the United States.”

“I am pleased to have opportunity to represent the unionist community, with its rich culture, abroad as part of Northern Ireland’s wider cultural identity. I am eager to discuss and promote peace and reconciliation from a new prospective at the Milwaukee Festival too.”

“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. Fortunately as part of the new program, the Land and Property Service should be contacting many of those who are facing these difficulties directly over the next few weeks to see if they should be availing of these benefits.”

“However there are many more people who are entitled to help that the Land and Property Service are not aware of. I would urge anyone who is on a lower income to contact them immediately by telephoning 101, or visiting http://www.nidirect.gov.uk

“The Land and Property Service also now has a full time Outreach officer who will be available to speak to community groups, sign posters and community leaders to help them to give guidance to those in need.”

“If any community group in the area would like to take up on this assistance, a talk on rate reliefs and the processes and procedures involved can be arranged with the Outreach Officer by calling Lenny Peden on 028 90 543877, or Stuart Young on 028 90 543897. Alternatively they can be contacted by post; Based Rate Relief, Take-Up Team, Ground Floor, Queen’s Court, Upper Queen’s Street, Belfast, BT1 6FD”

“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.”

“The entire focus of their argument appeared to be avoidance of the blame being attributed to the DUP or Edwin Poots. Their approach indicated how vulnerable they felt on this issue – and rightly so. They have exploited the genuine fears and worries of residents for party political advantage over many years and their attempt to restrict debate is self-serving and undemocratic. The residents of Benson Street deserve better than this.”

“People who seek the support of elected representatives on issues of concern should value those who are able to explain the situation to them, rather than those who promise them the sun, the moon and the stars but are ultimately only able deliver excuses. The decision on the Tesco application is approaching the end game and the people of Benson Street need politicians they can trust to advise them properly.”

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.

“The Council has informed me that the portable toilet is only a temporary solution to the problem.” Stated Mr. Basil McCrea, local MLA.

“The Director of Environmental Services, David Lindsay, has assured me that the temporary toilet not be a permanent fixture, and will be serviced every day by a Council toilet attendant and weekly by the rental company who supplied it. All steps have been taken to ensure these short-term facilities are up to the best standards, while the Council decide on the right solution to the on-going vandalism problems.”

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.

Speaking on behalf of Boyle’s, Raymond and Darwin said, “We’re proud of our food and our service and invite visitors and locals to come and experience Northern Irish food at its best.”

Awarding Darwin and Raymond their award, local MLA Basil McCrea said:

“This is an amazing achievement and a well-deserved victory.

“I eat in Boyles Restaurant as often as I can and every time I go I’m more and more impressed. They not only provide truly world class food but they also have the friendliest staff I’ve ever come across – the atmosphere is fantastic.

“Their award winning Head Chief, Raymond Murray has experienced working in some of the top restaurants in Northern Ireland, and

Celebrating the win!

his unique style with Northern Ireland cuisine is by far the best I’ve ever tasted.”

Commenting on behalf of Taste of Ulster Michele Shirlow Chief Executive said “Darwin Martin and Raymond Murray are a winning team and this is an outstanding achievement. They are doing a great job of upholding the reputation that Taste of Ulster membership is building. It is hoped that in the years that follow, more and more establishments will join up and strive to meet the high standards set by Darwin, Raymond and their team.

Taste of Ulster cannot thank everyone involved in the running of Boyles enough.  It is an honour to work with them and long may it continue.  They are living examples of why Northern Ireland is proud to embrace and promote local food.”