Other News In Brief

Fire Engine Pull Returns To L'Derry

Following the success of the 2023 'Fire Engine Pull' fundraiser, Children in Crossfire has announced that the event will return to L'Derry again this year.

This year's event will take place on Saturday 28 September at Guildhall Square in Derry. In partnership once again with the City of Derry Airport Fire and Rescue Service, the challenge will feature teams of ten competing to achieve the fastest time pulling a 32-tonne fire engine across Guildhall Square.

Fundraising Co-ordinator Aishling Cunningham said: "Our Fire Engine Pull will be great fun – as well as a genuine challenge for all who take part. We are delighted to be bringing this very novel fundraiser right to the people again by holding it in Guildhall Square.

"We are asking local gyms, sports clubs, businesses, community organisations or even friend groups to take part. Anyone who does sign up will be supporting Children in Crossfire’s education, nutrition, healthcare and water programmes in Ethiopia and Tanzania. We proudly support some of the most vulnerable children in the world, targeting our resources at those with least. Funds raised will help us to extend our reach and maximise our impact. Anyone who would like to find out more should either give me a call on 028 7126 9898 or email me at aishling.cunningham@childrenincrossfire.org.

"I want to sincerely thank Steve Frazer from City of Derry Airport and Sean Feeney from the Airport’s Fire and Rescue Service for so strongly supporting Children in Crossfire once again this year. Having them and their colleagues on our side is a massive boost and we are really grateful for their goodwill. We are looking forward to a great day in Guildhall Square – and a terrific result for the children we support."

Steve Frazer, Managing Director at City of Derry Airport, added: "We are so proud to support Children in Crossfire and the amazing work they do in our local community and throughout the world. We have a fantastic team at the Airport who are delighted to be involved again this year. I would like to pay a special thanks to our dedicated Airport Fire and Rescue team as this event simply wouldn’t be possible without them. We look forward to seeing everyone at Guildhall Square on 28th September for a great time."

Infrastructure Minister Supports Taxi Industry Amidst Further Tax Burdens

Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, has expressed his support for the local taxi industry against further tax burdens.

The Minister spoke after sending a letter to Rt Hon. Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, expressing support for the local taxi industry in relation to a current consultation by the Treasury, Revenue and Customs and the Department of Transport on the VAT treatment of private hire vehicles. The consultation period ends on August 8.

Minister O'Dowd said: "I very much value the contribution of the taxi industry to our local economy, employment, tourism and social inclusion. I believe that, wherever possible, we should strive to support them.

"I appreciate that this consultation is to understand the potential tax impact of recent court judgements on the sector and to invite views on potential government interventions to manage that impact. But with the decreasing number of taxi drivers and operators locally and the negative impact that those changes are having on society especially the most vulnerable, I am concerned about what additional tax burdens may mean. I would be concerned that people may be discouraged from staying in the industry and small operators could go out of business altogether.

"I encourage our taxi industry to make their views heard in this consultation because a strong response will provide powerful evidence to negate the need for further tax burdens on the sector."

LPS Extends Reval2026 Rent And Lease Deadline

Land & Property Services (LPS) has announced an extension, giving businesses until 31 August 2024, to submit the Reval2026 rent and lease questionnaire for non-domestic properties.

Reval2026 offers businesses the opportunity to have a say and help inform future rates bills by providing up to date information that will contribute to a new valuation list published on 1 April 2026.

Regular revaluations help keep business rates current and aligned with local economic changes. LPS will be evaluating more than 75,000 non-domestic properties for rates.

Filling out the questionnaire is straightforward and Land & Property Services offers support from experienced valuers to assist business owners who need help. The most convenient way for businesses to submit their information or seek advice is online, by visiting the Reval2026 page on the Department of Finance's website.