Other News In Brief

Alliance Proposal To Cut Rates Increase Defeated

An Alliance Party proposal to reduce the Belfast City Council rates increase and set up a new support package for bonfires has been defeated at Committee by Sinn Fein, the DUP, the SDLP and People Before Profit.

The proposal would have cut the Summer Diversionary Scheme fund of £500k and set up a new fund for 2024 which would focus on capacity building for those communities involved in bonfires.

Councillor Michael Long said: "We have seen the huge impact of the cost of living crisis in recent months, most recently in the heavily oversubscribed Council Hardship Fund.

"We believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that the rates increase is minimised and this £500k cut would see the increase reduced from 7.99% to 7.7%. At this stage every penny counts and many people will wonder why we need this scheme, in which over half of the fund is spent on Performance Artists, DJs, Stage management, security, marquees and planning.

"At this time, I don't think spending ratepayers money on DJs which are bought in for concerts can be justified.

"We recognise the need to tackle bonfire issues, but simply using diversionary means does not address the fundamental issues in communities with bonfires.

"We want a scheme which will actually build capacity and we want a new scheme for 2024 which would make long-term impacts rather than being a sticking plaster.

"Unfortunately, other parties opposed our proposal, so ratepayers will continue to fund this diversionary fund, which fundamentally avoids dealing with the problem."

PSNI Investigate Attack On Newry Orange Hall

The PSNI are investigating reports of criminal damage at an Orange Hall on Martins Lane, Newry.

Inspector Macdonald said: "A report was received at around 11.15 am on Saturday morning, January 21 that damage was caused to a doorway and graffiti had been sprayed on the walls.

"Enquiries into the incident, which is being treated as a sectarian hate crime, are ongoing, and anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area, or who has any information which could assist, is asked to contact police in Newry on 101, quoting reference number 688 21/01/23."

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

DUP's Ian Paisley Welcomes Full Reinstatement Of Rathlin Ferry Services

DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has welcomed the full reinstatement Rathlin ferry services.

Mr Paisley said: "I have spoken with the director of public transport operations for an update on the Rathlin ferry service.

"I am pleased to say that it was a very helpful meeting and the intention is to have the main boat - the spirit of Rathlin - back in full operation by the end of this week. There are several checks that must be completed but the director was pushing ahead to get this service operational.

"The reinstatement will bring back a complete ferry service to the people of Rathlin. The workers who staffed the previous service will be offered the same jobs in the new service, so the change in service is as seamless as possible. I understand that redundancy payments are available also and employees have the right to claim these.

"Rathlin is an important coastal community and is unique in Northern Ireland. It is essential that services to and from the island are maintained to allow the island to flourish."