Other News In Brief

Dale Farms New Ballymena Facility Opens

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today officially opened Dale Farm's new best-in-class milk and cream facility at Pennybridge, Ballymena.

The facility is the result of a £10 million investment by Dale Farm and Nampak, supported by Invest Northern Ireland, and is part of an overall £39million investment in Dale Farm’s three local production facilities which was announced in 2010.

The new facility includes new high speed milk and cream filling lines, a new inplant plastic bottle blow moulding facility operated by Nampak Plastics Europe Ltd and a new chilled distribution centre.

Speaking at the official opening the Minister said: "This state-of-the-art facility, which is now the company’s chilled distribution hub for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, will significantly strengthen Dale Farm’s capacity and capability to compete in export markets.

"It provides a cost-competitive, high-hygiene operation that will support the company’s growth in sales. The inplant bottle blowing partnership with Nampak, which will increase the recycled content of the packaging and reduce the company's carbon footprint, will also deliver major efficiency gains."

McCausland Introduces Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the introduction of a Code of Practice and Guiding Principles for Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships.

Neighbourhood Partnerships have been established in each of the 36 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas as a vehicle for local planning and implementation. Each Neighbourhood Partnership includes representatives of key political, statutory, voluntary, community and private sector stakeholders. Together, they have developed long term visions and action plans designed to improve the quality of life for those living in the area.

He said: "Partnerships are essential, to the delivery of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. The introduction of this Code, allows us to build on the good work of Neighbourhood Partnerships, and will provide clarity, on the roles and responsibilities of everyone in the delivery of Neighbourhood Renewal.

"I thank all those who responded to the recent consultation, and I am encouraged that the Code has been broadly welcomed, and in many areas, seen as a helpful document which offers positive and constructive guidelines."

(CD)