Green Party representatives Cllrs Barry McKee and Rachel Woods have passed a motion calling for Ards & North Down Borough Council to explore becoming Living Wage, Living Hours & Living Pensions accredited with the Living Wage Foundation.

Representative for Bangor West, Cllr McKee said "We don’t believe that any worker employed by Councils or workers that provide Council services as employees of other companies should be paid a wage that is below one that gives a decent standard of living as a minimum.  

By seeking accreditation, Ards & North Down Borough Council would be able to keep wages fair, year in yearout for those on the lowest pay. TheReal Living Wage rate iscalculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence about living standards in the UK.

Even though Council employees at Ards & North Down all earn above the Real Living wage, this could slip in the future, so accreditation canhelpensure that wewillcontinue to be a good employer andretaina solid commitment to social responsibility for those on the lowest pay.

Cllr for Holywood & Clandeboye, Rachel Woods said " The Living Hours standard calls on employers to provide the right to decent notice periods for shifts: of at least 4 weeks’ notice, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period, the right to a contract that reflects accurate hours worked, a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours a week (unless the worker requests otherwise). It's a huge statement of dedication to not only pay a good wage rate, but to guarantee financial stability for our team and their families.

The living pensions is another accreditation that can be considered.It is a voluntary savings target for employers, to help workers build up a pension pot that will provide enough income to meet basic everyday needs in retirement. It is independently calculated based on the real cost of living, based on 12% of a full time living wage and provides some future assurances, which given what we are all experiencing now, and many of us have been for a while, could help with cushioning against poverty in years to come. By introducing a Living Pension alongside the Living Wage, employers can help employees meet the real cost of living today and in the future.

There is real opportunity for parity of pay for workers who provide services for this council but aren’t employed by this Council. There is also opportunity in providing benefits to Council, potentially making us a more attractive employer in difficult job market and demonstrates to all employees connected to providing council services that they deserve at minimum, a fair wages & conditions.

"We are glad that Members of the Committee have agreed to explore this, and look forward to the next stages progressing, should it pass Council at the end of the month.”

ENDS 

Cllr Rachel Woods welcomes a successful final attempt to establish financial assistance in Ards and North Down

The Green Party NI’s representative for Holywood and Clandeboye has welcomed a successful final attempt to establish financial assistance for those who need it in Ards and North Down.

Cllr Rachel Woods said, ‘ A report was brought back to Council last night which recommended that Council noted its contents and recognised the financial situation being faced currently, along with a number of options outlined by Officers. I submitted an amendment tonight after a Special Council meeting was held in January on fuel poverty and hardship in the Borough, to a proposal by the UUP to establish a fund of £50,000 to be made available from current reserves for a funding stream to be used by local foodbanks and other partners in our Borough, if willing. This is not a silver bullet, nor will it help everyone, but it is a start.

The Green Party Councillor said, ‘Anyone reading the report presented to the Council this evening who is not feeling ashamed and disgusted at what has become of our so called developed society needs to take a look at themselves. We heard that lots of people who are asking for help across our Borough’s support organisations work full time and fall outside the criteria for free school meals and don’t get help with childcare costs, we heard that demand for Bangor Foodbank has increased 88%. There has been an increase in illegal money lending from organised crime groups, the fact that we have warm spaces operating, there are increasing levels of loneliness because of the cost of living by younger and older age group, that poverty exists in Ards and North Down - of course it does, it always has.

I do not think that Council should only signpost, or rely on other funding streams to help people in this current crisis but step up. We have a lot to do to sort this out long term, but in the short term if we can help as a council I think that we should, even in a small way to identified partners. In an ideal world more would be distributed, to community organisations supporting people, however the appetite was not there this time.

I thank all members for for supporting this third attempt by the Green Party NI to introduce this to try and help those who need it, even in the very shortest of terms.”

ENDS

North Down Green councillors attempt to halt Greenway plans

The Green Party NI representatives in Ards and North Down are seconding a motion this evening, Thursday 26^th January to pause the current planning application for the Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway.

Bangor Central representative Cllr Stephen Dunlop said: “I am pleased to second the proposal brought forward by Cllr Ray McKimm. Having listened to neighbours and residents across the Borough, and taking on board their concerns, I will not be supporting the current proposals. We are seeking other options to be considered, and brought forward with meaningful community input. Officers have been ambitious with some 31.5km of greenway which is to be commended but really the project needs to be broken down into much smaller sections and working groups created to see what could happen to parts of the length. I know from my own experience the sea wall at Ballyholme esplanade needs repointed where it has weathered many storms. Other parts need drainage to allow the flora and fauna to dominate more. There are lengths that could be more accessible and I urge Council to implement this as soon as possible.

Cllr Rachel Woods, Councillor for Holywood and Clandeboye, said: “I am in support of the plans to install greenways across Northern Ireland to facilitate outdoor exercise, foster connectivity and to ensure that everyone has equality of access to pathways with appropriate surfacing, away from major roads. I also fully support the improvement and upgrade of cycle lanes in order to facilitate safer active travel for commuting, something which I have called for over many years. It is unfortunate that the Department of Infrastructure has not delivered on this for Ards and North Down. 

“However, given the current plans for the Kinnegar to Donaghadee Greenway, in our opinion, represent significant and disastrous environmental damage to certain areas of our coastal path, it is impossible for us to support the current plans. They must be revised. This whole process has shown the failings of our planning system. We have tick-box exercises instead of genuine community consultation, we have no equal rights of appeal, and environmental protections can be ignored. The whole system is opaque, confusing and subject to misinterpretation.

“It is paramount that any new proposals are developed with local residents’ input, rather than being imposed on them.”

ENDS

Cllr Rachel Woods slams recent domestic abuse statistics

ENDS