Other NI News In Brief

Elections '26' Confirmed

The coming local elections will be held to the existing 26 councils model. This follows confirmation from the Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots that the proposed reorganisation of local government in 2011 will not now go ahead. Minister of State, Hugo Swire MP, has written to the First and Deputy First Ministers with the anticipated news: "Like many, I am disappointed that the reorganisation will not now go ahead in 2011, not least because Parliament agreed to postpone the 2009 elections to provide for this. It would be unacceptable for the elections to be further postponed beyond 2011 given that there is no sign of the situation being resolved in the immediate future. There is now no option but to hold these elections to the existing 26 councils notwithstanding the fact that their boundaries have not been reviewed since 1992."

Legacy Examined By Paterson

NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson has 'begun a process of listening' to the views of people across the community on dealing with the past in Northern Ireland. "I recognise the importance of the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. I intend to listen to a range of views on how best I can contribute to dealing with this issue. The Minister of State, Hugo Swire, and I will conduct a number of meetings with people from all parts of the community over the next few months," he said. Commenting on the first of the meetings held yesterday with the Victims Commissioners, the Secretary of State said: "We had a useful and constructive meeting and I look forward to receiving their further written views later this week."

Poots Says 'Go Green'

Environment Minister Edwin Poots has marked the start of Recycle Week by calling on businesses to recognise the potential opportunities which recycling presents to boost the economy. The Minister highlighted his recent visit to Crumlin-based Cherry Polymers Plastic Recycling - one of the largest plastic bottle sorting plants both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Mr Poots said: "The recycling sector is a vitally important part of the Northern Ireland economy. In 2007 the sector accounted for around 1,000 jobs with turnover of over £180m.

Work Disputes Bill

New industrial dispute and employee rights legislation passed its second stage in the Assembly on Monday. The Employment (No. 2) Bill, which is aimed at changing the current statutory grievance procedures and the enforcement of industrial and fair employment tribunal awards, also grants employees the right to request time off for training. It will reduce the legal process that allows awards made by industrial tribunals and fair employment tribunals to be enforceable. It is intended that the Bill will complete remaining Assembly stages by the end of the year.

Fined For Planning Offences

A Co Armagh man has been fined a total of £30,000 with £95 legal and court costs for non-compliance with two Planning Service Enforcement Notices at Armagh Magistrates' Court. Kieran Burke of Greenmount Property Limited, Bessbrook Road, Mountnorris, was issued with an Operational Development Notice seeking the demolition and removal of an unauthorised shop and concrete yard and the demolition of associated storage sheds adjacent and south of No 271 Mowhan Road, Glenanne, Co Armagh. He was also issued with a Change of Use Notice seeking the cessation to the use of the land at the same address mentioned above for the sale of vehicles, the washing of vehicles, the storage of portacabins and the use of one of the portacabins as a café. Mr Burke was fined £15,000 for the non-compliance with of each of the two notices.

(BMcC/GK)