McKinty supports "Everybody is Somebody" campaign

Larne Deputy Mayor Cllr Mark McKinty has shown his support to Anti-bullying week, 19-23 November 2012. Speaking to a group of students, the Ulster Unionist representative welcomed the "opportunity to tackle the long-standing plague of bullying".

He continued: "There are over 650 schools and youth groups across Northern Ireland on board this week exploring bullying based on difference and prejudice. The theme "Everybody is Somebody" may relate to sectarian, racist, homophobic, or disablist bullying. Any difference, whether actual or perceived, often remains unexplained and can unfortunately lead to many forms of bullying."

"It is wrong to attack or oppress someone because they think, act or believe differently. Difference should be embraced, not used as a weapon."

Photo courtesy of NIABF

Anti-Bullying Week is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) and supported by Translink. Lee Kane, NIABF’s Regional Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, explains the opportunity that Anti-Bullying Week provides for teachers, youth workers and parents to talk to young people about respecting difference and to challenge bullying: “The interest from schools, youth groups and parents in this year’s Anti-Bullying Week shows how important the issue of bullying is in our society and reaffirms our commitment to educate young people about diversity. By challenging negative stereotypes and reinforcing anti-bullying messages we can all emphasise that such behaviour is unacceptable. Children and young people’s participation is critical to implementing effective anti-bullying strategies.”

Ulster Unionist spokesperson for Children and Young People Sandra Overend MLA indicated her particular interest in internet safety and child protection. “We must work hard to drive bullying out of our schools, our homes and beyond. It is important to remember that bullying is no longer confined to the playground, but is also increasingly being found on the internet, and via instant messaging. Cyber bullying is on the rise as more and more children come into possession of mobile phones, electronic devices and laptops with which they can access Facebook and other social media, often anonymously."

Concluding, Cllr Mark McKinty highlighted how bullying has adapted over time: "Bullying is a severe problem for young people: this is a constant battle for our schools, youth groups, and parents, with statistics showing around 39% of P6 children having experienced some form of bullying. I fully endorse the work NIABF are carrying out, and the work and effort that each individual school or youth organisation puts in to fighting this problem. Cyber bullying is a particular concern of mine since it infiltrates the homes and private lives of young people, offering no form of escape. We cannot divorce the problem of bullying from the worrying levels of youth suicide, and I pledge to continue to work with local schools, youth groups and voluntary groups to lobby government for funding and services to tackle bullying in all its forms".

Larne Young Apprentice Final

Last week I had the great honour of opening the live final of Larne's Young Apprentice with the BBC's Apprentice finalist Jim Eastwood. The competition is part of the Larne Youth Opportunities Programme, supported by Larne Borough Council, and developed as a response to the high levels of youth unemployment in the Larne Borough.

Photo courtesy of Bernie McAllister @ Argyll Images

The Youth opportunities programme has included a Youth Opportunities Fair held in June 2012 which was attended by 139 young people and approx.20 employment and training providers. 85% of young people who completed a survey felt that their job or training prospects had improved as a result of attending this Fair. 

There has also been a Youth Exploring Enterprise Programme, running from August to October this year.  This provided 10 young people under the age of 30 with the opportunity to explore self- employment as an option and improve their employability skills. 2 achieved employment before completing the programme and the others will receive mentoring support to help them to achieve their goal.

Larne Borough Council recognises the particular challenges faced by young people in the current economic climate and is committed, through Larne Development Forum, to helping address the challenges by positive actions and suppor.

Photo courtesy of Bernie McAllister @ Argyll Images

The Larne Apprentice Competition has been designed to develop and assess the young person's business acumen, attitude, social understanding and leadership and to help young people gain new work related skills within a commercial environment enabling them to make contact with potential business owners and leaders within the greater Larne area.  This has been an innovative programme that has been developed by Larne development Forum

I would congratulate all six candidates that took part in the programme and in particular our final two candidates Chris Taylor and Zarak Bartley who we will be hearing form shortly

This final task is about the marketing of Larne to the tourist market outside of Larne, so I was very interested in what the final two candidate’s ideas were and their presentations.

The candidates had done outstandingly well in their final task. Both presentations aimed to design a marketing plan for Larne, and while both presentations were different, each candidate learnt a lot about what Larne has to offer. I was extremely encouraged by the enthusiasm and effort demonstrated by both candidates, and am pleased that Larne Borough Council will be able to actively involve both finalists in forthcoming workshops.

Finally, my sincere congratulations to Zarak, the deserving winner of the competition, and Chris for a well-earned second place. I would also like to thank Jim Eastwood for his inspiring contribution to the event which I am sure will have had a positive impact on the contestants and audience in general.

Glenarm Salmon deal a “confidence boost for local economy”

News that salmon from Glenarm will soon be served in some of Hong Kong's top hotels comes as a “confidence boost for the local economy” according to Larne’s Deputy Mayor.

Speaking after the announcement was made at the Food Hotel China exhibition, Cllr Mark McKinty welcomed the news and its repercussions within the local economy: “I congratulate all the staff at Glenarm Organic Salmon, and those members of the Executive delegation to China for securing this important deal for local business.

Glenarm Organic Salmon, established in 1989, is the only Atlantic salmon producer in the Irish Sea and Northern Ireland’s only salmon farming business, recently named Best Agriculture and Rural Business in the 2012 Larne Business Awards. The company produces over 500 tonnes of organic salmon each year which is distributed throughout the UK and overseas markets. This latest deal will see it export its fresh salmon to China for the first time and will add to its existing Asian custom in Singapore and Thailand.

John Russell, Glenarm Organic Salmon Managing Director, said: “The business that we are developing in Hong Kong will give us an important foothold for growth in China, an increasingly affluent market with a rapidly growing middle class with an interest in quality food from European suppliers. It’s a market that we’ve targeted for fast growth during 2013.

“The interest that we are now attracting from high-end hotels in China carries forward our existing business in other parts of Asia such as Singapore and Thailand, markets which we have been shipping fresh salmon to since 2008.

“What sets our fresh salmon apart from competitors is fantastic quality that comes from our fish farm location in the cold, tidal waters of the Irish Sea. This environment produces a highly textured and delicious fish. Foodservice operators worldwide are now recognising the quality of salmon that we produce in Glenarm. We expect our sales in Hong Kong and mainland China to grow steadily over the next 12 months and beyond,” he added. 

Cllr Mark McKinty also praised the hard work by Glenarm Organic Salmon and Invest NI in forging these trade links: “In difficult economic times, it is important that small and medium businesses are encouraged to explore expansion and diversification opportunities both at home and abroad. I am confident that Glenarm Organic Salmon’s exposure in China is only the start of further important trade links which will benefit local indigenous businesses in Northern Ireland.”

Larne Ulster Unionists promote Armed Forces Community Covenant

Ulster Unionist Councillors on Larne Borough Council have brought forward a motion to facilitate a local Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Photo courtesy of Bernie McAllister @ Argyll Images

 

On 5th November, Alderman Roy Beggs submitted the following motion: “We the undersigned hereby propose that Larne Borough Council recognises the sacrifices of the many fallen and injured service personnel of the Borough serving in recent international conflicts; realises the potential for this Council and other statutory bodies to provide practical and moral support to service personnel, veterans and their families; and commits to give meaning to its support for our personel and veterans by signing the Community Covenant, as a voluntary statement of our support for the local Armed Forces Community”.

Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA has given notice of his Party’s intention to call for an Armed Forces Community Covenant as a voluntary statement of our support for the local Armed Forces community and to ensure local projects access some of the £30 million of funding set aside to promote projects UK wide.

Mr Nesbitt said: “The Ulster Unionist Party has taken the lead in calling for Westminster to rectify the shameful position whereby Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that does not offer an Armed Forces Advocate to support service personnel and veterans from, or based in, Northern Ireland”.

“However, there is another element to this support network, the Armed Forces Community Covenant which we are keen to see adopted by all 26 Councils in Northern Ireland. The UK Government has set aside up to £30 million over four financial years 2011-15 to help communities undertake projects that promote greater understanding between the military and civilian populations. The Ulster Unionist Party is extremely keen to see local projects avail of this funding.”

In proposing the motion, Ald. Beggs stated: “The Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community and is intended to complement the Armed Forces Covenant which outlines the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces, at local level”.

“Its purpose is to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in each District Council area and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces Community. It encourages the integration of Servicemen and women into civilian life and encourages members of the Armed Forces community to help their local community.”

“The Community Covenant grant scheme has been set up to fund local projects which strengthen the ties or the mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces Community and the wider community in which they live.”

The motion was seconded by Larne’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Mark McKinty, who described the ‘debt of gratitude’ owed by all residents for a peaceful and prosperous place in which to live.

“This motion is to support the service men and women from various walks of life, in every age bracket, and in all fields of service, principally frontline services but also including support, medical, chemical and logistical backup. Returning personnel often require physical rehabilitation and financial, educational and health advice. Often they require emotional and mental support to help them cope with the drama and trauma which many witnesses in active service.”

In conclusion, Cllr McKinty stated: “It is our duty to act as advocates for those who fought for peace and our freedom, and for the families and friends of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice”.