Islandmagee School case taken to Minister John O’Dowd’s desk

The campaign for a new school to cater for young people in Islandmagee has been taken directly to the Minister’s desk by a delegation from Larne Borough Council. 

The group representing the council consisted of Cllr Martin Wilson, Cllr John Matthews and Cllr Mark McKinty, who headed the delegation.

Speaking following the meeting, Cllr Mark McKinty spoke of positive signs: ‘I would like to thank the Minister John O’Dowd for the opportunity to put forward the case for a new school in Islandmagee. Initially I had requested this meeting back in November 2013. However, when Council suggested sending a cross-party delegation to meet the Minister, I offered my meeting as an option to speed up the process”.

“I was very pleased to be able to present Minister O’Dowd with a strong case in favour of a new school for Islandmagee. The Minister is well aware of the facts and figures of this case, and a number of representations have been made by various organisations and individuals, including myself. The purpose of the meeting was therefore to present to the Minister a local viewpoint, a perspective that would not necessarily be included in a Departmental report.”

“We were able to share with the Minister the frustration of 3 or 4 cycles of children who have been awaiting a new school in the area for over a decade. We also raised the current state of buildings at both Mullaghdubh and Kilcoan Primary Schools which are unfit for purpose, being over 160 and 100 years respectively. Staff have made very good use of the facilities available to them, however the cost of necessary improvements would be better spent on a new school.”

Cllr Mark McKinty visiting the site already acquired by the NEELB for Islandmagee's new school.

 “With over 120 pupils currently enrolled in the two schools, a new school would surely welcome over 150 pupils upon opening, with this number set to rise dramatically when parents – who currently send their children elsewhere due to the uncertainty over primary provision in the area – decide to educate their children in Islandmagee. In a nutshell, a new school in Islandmagee would be very sustainable in its own right.”

“Road safety at the two schools, particularly Mullaghdubh, is another concern for staff, parents and local residents. The fact that the NEELB already owns the site for the new school means off-road car parking would be available, and a pedestrian link between the school and the new Gobbins Visitor and Community Centre would make walking to school a better option for many children. The proximity to the new visitor centre will also allow the school children to learn more about their local history, take part in tourism events and play an active role in the community.”

“Whilst the Minister was unable to give a definitive answer, I am satisfied that the case has been well put to him, and I am very hopeful that a positive outcome of this issue will finally be forthcoming in the near future.”

The Council delegation invited Minister O’Dowd to visit Kilcoan and Mullaghdubh schools both verbally and by letter (see attached).

Translink assault "irresponsible"

On Wednesday, 8^th January 2014 at approximately 16:15 a member of Customer Services staff at Larne Town Railway Station was assaulted by a male who had caused criminal damage in the station. The PSNI were tasked to the scene, where the offender was arrested. Our member of staff sustained injuries to his face and lower legs.

Local Councillor Mark McKinty, who has also been active in lobbying for service retention and improvement on the Larne Line, has called the act "irresponsible". "Public transport is a very important infrastructure in our society. For many it is the only means of transport, and so it is important that all rail and bus users act responsibly and in a courteous manner towards other passengers."

"Thankfully, last week's irresponsible attack on property and a member of staff is isolated, however such incidents must not be allowed to continue. I, along with others, have been lobbying for improved services on the Larne Line, which has seen vastly increased usage in recent months. Inconsiderate actions cost time and money, which could inhibit future progress on the line. Anyone with any information should contact Translink or the PSNI".

Supporting Small Business Saturday 2013

Cllr Mark McKinty has welcomed support for the UK's first Small Business Saturday and is hopeful of future success.

Speaking on Small Business Saturday (7th December 2013), Cllr McKinty said: "With the continuing difficult economic climate, it is important that we support our small, independent retailers across the country. I fully support the Small Business Saturday initiative as one way of encouraging and sustaining support for local business".

"Small Business Saturday is an idea which has been imported from the US, where over $5.7bn (£3.4bn) was added to the pockets of independent shops and local service providers across America. There, Small Business Saturday – established in 2010 – takes place on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving celebrations, one of the busiest shopping days of the year."

"It encourages people to shop at small independent businesses in their local area and celebrate small businesses’ contribution to their local economies. Last year’s Small Business Saturday helped drive sales and has led to an increase in longer-term custom."

"Today, I prepared a shopping list, including regular household purchases and a number of gifts for Christmas. Not only was I able to purchase everything on my shopping list, but I was also able to avail of a wealth of special offers, top-quality products and excellent customer service, all provided by local businesses within Larne Borough."

"I look forward to initiatives such as Small Business Saturday being rolled out throughout the year, and would encourage everyone to support our local retailers who, for so long, have been the backbone of our local communities."

ENDS

Some photographs from Small Business Saturday:

Top quality meat produce from The Village Butcher, Ballycarry.

Great special offers in the Spar, Islandmagee.

Locally-produced ice cream from the Rinkha, Islandmagee.

Finishing off Small Business Saturday 2013 with a treat!

Letter to Larne Times

Letter to the Larne Times.

Dear Madam,

I write with reference to your coverage last week (04/12/2013) of the Jubilee Crown in Larne and, in particular, to comments made by Mr Oliver McMullan MLA.

Mr McMullan is quoted as advocating a "shared space" in Larne. I wondered would this be the sort of shared space he had in mind when, as Chairman of the East Antrim National Graves Association, he organised the unveiling of a plaque in memory of the Hunger Strikers?

I know not everyone is fully supportive of the Crown, however I am confident there is a wide range of public approval, from "both sides of the community", as he stated, and that the Jubilee Roundabout has been generally good for the town of Larne, not least in terms of encouraging tourists to stop and enjoy our town.

I note from Facebook that not everyone is in favour of the Hunger Striker memorial, however. One resident stated: "The 'Hunger Strikers', as far as I'm aware, have no connection with Shore St, High St or any other spot in Cushendall. How many residents of the village were consulted .... and agreed to the erection of this new plaque on what is a very important local historical site?" So much for a shared space!

Mr McMullan's lacklustre campaign against the Crown does nothing more than perpetuate the sectarianism and division which he claimes to challenge. To my knowledge, no-one has been bothered enough to write to the Council on this matter. The only objections to planners included one terribly shoddy email from Mr McMullan (complete spelling and grammar mistakes) and a series of photocopied letters.

If that is the extent of the opposition to the Crown on the Jubilee Roundabout, I look forward to its remaining in place, and Mr McMullan should perhaps focus on real issues instead of creating problems where none exist.

Yours, etc,

Cllr Mark McKinty

McKinty welcomes Larne Christmas bonus

Cllr Mark McKinty has welcomed a special Christmas parking rate of £1 for five hours is to be introduced in Larne next week.

Larne is one of twenty-five towns across Northern Ireland which are set to benefit from the special parking rate over the festive period.

Speaking following the announcement, Cllr McKinty said: "Over the past number of years retailers have particularly suffered from the current economic situation in addition to increased use of online shopping. The festive season is a key period for these retailers, and I welcome this latest effort to support Larne's traders".

Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy, made the announcement which will see the introduction of a new reduced tariff of five hours parking for just one pound in 95 Road Service car parks.

The Minister said: "Retailers across Northern Ireland have been suffering from the economic downturn and I know that the festive season is a key period for them financially. Last week I announced a Christmas transport package for shoppers and traders. This included free Park and Ride services in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry and Londonderry during late night shopping days and also on Saturdays, fare promotions and an embargo on road works over the Christmas period.

"I also wanted to ensure that other areas received some assistance which would encourage shoppers to go into towns over the Christmas period. That is why I have decided to introduce a new reduced tariff of five hours for one pound across 95 of my Department's car parks. “

The new tariff will be introduced from 2 December and will continue until 11 January and will apply to car parks that have a tariff of 30p or more per hour. Drivers will still be able pay the minimum tariff in each car park, for example most car parks have a tariff of 40p per hour so if someone wants to stay for less than an hour they can simply pay 40p.

Concluding, Cllr McKinty said: " I trust that this small gesture will provide a welcome boost for traders and would encourage the public to continue to support their local economy and shop locally.”

"Police arrests positive news for Larne"

Ulster Unionist Councillor Mark McKinty has welcomed news of a number of significant police arrests durimg the first week of the PSNI's Service First programme.

The most recent news saw police arrest and charge a man on suspicion of burglary and intent to steal after they responded to a call in the Lower Cairncastle Road area of Larne at the weekend. The man was arrested after the alarm system of a local school was activated on the evening of Saturday 26 October at around 10:30pm. The 29 year old man was arrested by response officers in the area a short time later.

He will appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court on 22 November 2013. As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Responding to the news, Cllr McKinty, also the Chair of Larne Policing and Community Safety Partnership, welcomed the news. "Last Monday saw the implementation of Service First within the PSNI's H-District. I am aware that there have been issues of community confidence within the community regarding the rolling out of this programme, however we should welcome the news that the PSNI is responding to emergency calls within Larne to an equal if not better standard than before".

"These police arrests are positive news for Larne. In the first week of Service First, 100% of emergency calls were responded to within 15 minutes, and it is important to recognise that there is no place for criminality of any sort in Larne. The PCSP will continue to work with the PSNI and other bodies to ensure that Larne is a safe place in which to live, work and socialise".

SF commitment to policing and community safety 'questionable' - McKinty

Larne Policing and Community Safety Partnership Chairperson Mark McKinty has called into question the dedication of SF representatives in supporting the Police.

 Speaking following recent comments from PCSP Member Cllr McKeown in the press, the Ulster Unionist representative said: "I am deeply disappointed, although not entirely surprised at Cllr McKeown's comments in last week's paper. His attitude is sadly indicative of Sinn Fein's appalling lack of support for local policing and community safety, and I would challenge their local representatives to seriously reconsider their dedication to a safer, more prosperous Larne."

"For Cllr McKeown to brand the PCSP as 'toothless' is a bit rich, given that it has been an age since he last attended a meeting of the partnership. There are certain issues of procedure which I inherited upon assuming the Chair of Larne's PCSP in June, yet I have worked hard to ensure that we are able to move forward in the interest of the people of Larne. In all that time, not once has Cllr McKeown darkened the door..."

"The setup of the PCSP is unique. In attendance at meetings are 10 elected representatives and 9 community representatives - from all walks of life - and representatives of the PSNI, including the local Chief Inspector, Inspector and Sergeant. Questions or concerns about community safety or local policing can be put directly to those who patrol our streets. Sinn Fein, of course, prefer to boycott meetings and report their concerns to the press."

"In addition, a number of other bodies also attend meetings, including the Housing Executive, NEELB, Department of Justice and Fire Service, allowing the PCSP and PSNI to plan strategically with the support and benefit of the experience which these representatives offer."

"I repeat my sentiments from last month: SF made lots of noise in 2012 to ensure that they were afforded a seat on the Larne PCSP, and I would now call on them to stop acting up to the press, to get serious about supporting policing and community safety in our area and urge their representative to turn up to meetings."

 

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1. Original article in which I challenged Oliver McMullan MLA to report crime to the police and not to the press:

 

2. Cllr James McKeown's response to my article: