Pages tagged "Barry McKee"
North Down Councillors blast DUP and UUP over climate hypocracy
The recent Ards & North Down Borough Council decision, backed by the DUP and Ulster Unionists, to approve the Climate Action Plan but simultaneously call for a review of legally binding climate targets, reveals a dangerous contradiction rooted in fear and political expediency.
On one hand, they acknowledge the necessity of a Climate Action Plan - recognising climate change as a reality that demands action. On the other hand, by demanding a review of the targets and suggesting councils are “being set up to fail,” they sow doubt and delay at a critical moment when urgent delivery of strong, science-based targets is paramount.
“This motion is a gift to vested interests who want to water down climate action and block real progress,” said Cllr Barry McKee. “Families are already facing flood risk, energy insecurity and rising bills - that’s the cost of climate breakdown, not climate ambition.”
Cllr Lauren Kendall added: “Let’s be honest - poverty and hardship aren’t caused by climate targets. The real threat comes from politicians who keep blaming climate action, instead of taking responsibility and defending communities. Only strong legal targets will deliver safe homes, green jobs and a fair transition and fair economy.”
Northern Ireland’s communities, farmers and workers urgently need leadership that stands firm behind legally binding targets, not one that seeks ways to escape them.
Climate action is not the cause of hardship - climate denial and inaction are.
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Leisure outsourcing "shortsighted" - Green Party AND Councillors
We are deeply disappointed that, despite a close vote, the DUP and UUP have chosen to maintain the current two-tier leisure model - keeping Ards leisure services in-house while outsourcing those in North Down.
While we welcome the decision to keep Ards Leisure public, it is unfair, shortsighted, and economically unsound that North Down’s Aurora and Queens Leisure Complex continue to be outsourced.
“Residents and staff in North Down are clearly being treated as second-class,” said Councillor Kendall. “It is unacceptable that the Council supports this two-tier system.”
Cllr Barry McKee added:
“Ards residents benefit from publicly-run leisure, but Holywood and Bangor are stuck with outsourced services lacking transparency and accountability. Tonight was a missed chance to ensure fairness across the Borough. The Green Party has opposed leisure outsourcing from the start and will keep fighting for services that are fair, transparent, and fully public.”
Cllr Lauren Kendall said:
“Leisure services are essential for health, wellbeing, and community connection. By refusing to bring all services in-house, the Council lets inequality persist for Holywood and Bangor residents, many of whom rely on affordable, accessible public leisure.”
The Green Party will continue campaigning for a fully in-house, publicly accountable leisure service that ends the two-tier system and ensures equal standards for all.
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Bangor West Councillor welcomes announcement that the Promote Learning Disability Service has been saved from closure
Bangor West Councillor welcomes announcement that the Promote Learning Disability Service has been saved from closure
Cllr McKee said "I am delighted that charity & social enterprise, Orchardville have signed a contract to take over the running of the Promote Day Opportunities Service in Bangor. It's disgraceful that vital day opportunity placements for 52 adults had been under threat."
Cllr McKee continued "There has been a callous disregard shown by the South Eastern Trust in their handling of this difficult situation, but this news has brought great relief to the families. As someone who has worked in Learning Disability Day Opportunity Services for over a decade, I know how important places like Promote are to those who attend. The distress and uncertainty caused to all including families, staff and volunteers is shameful. It’s appalling that hard-working staff have been at risk of redundancy after providing such valuable opportunities for those who attend. Action Mental Health had been left in a difficult position, unable to continue to cover the increasing costs to provide this service when uplifts from the Health Trusts and Department were not forthcoming."
Cllr McKee said "Although the focus of this issue is local to Bangor, we cannot lose sight of the crisis in public financing all over Northern Ireland and the punishment budget introduced by the Tory Secretary for State, that has led to services like this one, being at risk of closure. This is a prime example of why Northern Ireland needs a return of the Executive at Stormont. With a potential return of Government here, I hope we can see the end to ransom holding of much needed pay rises for staff that has been a political choice. We need to see work done to tackle unstainable public finances that are causing crisis in health, charity, community and voluntary sectors"
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Bangor West Councillor welcomes impending refurbishment of historic railway heritage
Bangor West Councillor welcomes impending refurbishment of historic railway heritage