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Commenting following his meeting with Planning Minister David Cairns yesterday morning, and the launch of the Belfast Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Subject Plan, UUP South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey said:

“I welcome the launch of the strategy. Putting proper controls and policy in place to deal with unscrupulous landlords is something that I have been campaigning for, alongside others, for a number of years now.

“This strategy ought to provide a measure of control and discipline in the area of HMO development. There’s a draft policy in place – let’s see the Planning Department and Planning Appeals Commission use this to protect the quality of life of families in South Belfast in particular, and for those further afield.

“The local community should not be prey to landlords whose sole motivation is profit. Instead of councillors being forced to suspend HMO applications on a case-by-case basis, the safeguards must be there to ensure inner city areas are not swamped with haphazard development. And that’s what the HMO Subject Plan ought to be about.

“The real solution for an area like the Holylands is for Queen’s University to produce purpose-built accommodation so that the local community is protected and the student body is not exploited.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid- Ulster and Chairman of the Board Of Governors at Stewartstown Primary School has welcomed the funding from the Local Community Fund for the purchase and installation of Interactive Whiteboards at a total cost of £42,267.19 to Stewartstown No 2 Primary and St. Mary’s Primary School.

Billy said:” There is little doubt that the interactive whiteboards have proved to be an excellent ICT resources which will greatly assist in raising standards at both schools. Interactive whiteboard technology can make a significant positive contribution to embedding ICT in every classroom and to raising standards through positive improved teaching and learning. The cost of this technology often prohibits schools from considering this technology and we are fortunate that the necessary funds were made available through Local Community Fund

I also appreciate the funding of intensive teacher training for the use of these resources and compliment all members of staff for their dedication and enthusiasm in the implementation of this technology and will greatly assist in the quality of teaching and learning at both schools. This means that rural schools can keep abreast of the latest technology and can offer the highest standard of education to our children. These latest facilities will encourage parents to send their children to the local schools who can now offer the same high standards of larger schools.

I was pleased to attend the official launch on Wednesday 27 June 2006 to show appreciation to Department of Social Development through the Local Community Fund of their support to the people of Stewartstown and who have contributed over £123,770 to the town over the past three years.”

Unionist Environment Spokesman, Sam Gardiner MLA, giving evidence to the Review of Environmental Governance said today that the Ulster Unionist Party believes that an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  is the best way forward for a system of environmental governance in Northern Ireland. This was the only part of the UK which did not have such an independent body, he said.

He also called for this new Environmental Protection Agency to be a champion of the environment and not merely an administrator of environmental regulations.

Mr Gardiner said, “We want the new Environmental Protection Agency given a significant input into the planning process with a strong remit to intervene where there was a significant environmental impact involved in any planning decision. The EPA should have statutory consultee status in all planning applications where sensitive natural and built environmental impacts are involved. Experience has shown, he said, that expert advice from the Environment Agency already established in England is not being fully taken into account in planning applications.

“Statutory consultee status would mean that if any planning authority went ahead against the Environment Agency’s approval, the matter would automatically be referred to the Minister in charge. In Northern Ireland that would mean that our new Environment Protection Agency when it is established should be able to force any planning decision taken against its considered advice by one of the new Council Planning Authorities proposed by the Government to be referred to the Minister in charge for a decision. In Northern Ireland we must learn from the mistakes made elsewhere and we must give the new Environment Agency real teeth by giving it statutory consultee status in all planning matters.”

Mr Gardiner added, “The Environmental protection Agency has to stand at a distance from Government and must be able to prosecute the Government for environmental damage on the polluter pays principle. This has been evidenced in the past by Government failings over sewage, waste management and historic built environment protection.”

Continuing, Mr Gardiner said, “We believe that an independent EPA should have executive responsibility for the protection of both the natural and built environment as this would be more efficient, cost-effective and rational. To divide these responsibilities would be to introduce a disjointedness to the management of the overall environment and could create unnecessary delays and duplication.”

Mr Gardiner commented, “Any new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must have full control over its own budget which must, in turn, be adequate. The standard of adequacy should be independently established and not be a matter for purely internal Government decision. The adequacy and independence of its budget will determine the ultimate effectiveness of the EPA.”

“We also want to see the Environmental Protection Agency calling on the existing expertise which exists within a range of Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) in the Province and the Environmental Protection Agency should, wherever possible, develop partnership arrangements with the existing Non-Government organizations.”

North Down MLA and Regional Development spokesperson Leslie Cree has welcomed plans for a new scheme for widespread exemptions from domestic rates in NI but has said that these new measures don’t go far enough.

Under the new plans, people in full-time education or training will pay no rates and reduced water charges. The move is the first in a series of rates relief packages for what the government terms “vulnerable groups”.

Mr Cree said:

“While I would initially welcome these plans, there are greater issues to consider, such as the implementation of such a scheme and the bigger problem of water charges in general, something which Ulster Unionists have been continually opposed too.

“Obviously, anything which lightens the financial burden for students should be applauded, especially when students are leaving university with increasing debt. I hope the government works in partnership with our universities and higher education colleges to help make students aware of their new rights and application process to ensure a substantial uptake.

“However, I’d be interested in seeing how the Government plans to help other vulnerable groups, including pensioners, the unemployed and indeed, first time buyers. Half a million people here are living below the poverty line and we need to ensure that no one is left out in the cold.

“The rising price of utilities is placing unbearable pressure on low-income households who are already struggling and these problems are intensified as government ups domestic regional rates and continues to push water charges.  A reduction of any kind would certainly be a welcome announcement to many and I look forward to seeing plans for the Government’s implementation and extension of the scheme to others”.

The UUP has made a formal submission to the Council of Europe which challenges both Governments on their shortcomings towards the people of Northern Ireland.

Party Leader Sir Reg Empey and Dermot Nesbitt will be raising the issue when they meet both Prime Ministers on Thursday. A copy of the submission has already been forwarded to Peter Hain and Dermot Ahern in preparation for Thursday’s meeting.

UUP Equality and Human Rights spokesman Dermot Nesbitt, who made the formal submission to the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee, says it calls into question the Governments implementation of its human right commitments. Speaking today Mr Nesbitt said,

“We are making clear our deep concern at the attitude of not only the UK government but also of the Irish Government in their handling of the situation in Northern Ireland.

The Government views rights and equality as important for a peaceful and stable Northern Ireland. Well, what of the Government’s record? It has a legal obligation to inform the Council of Europe how it is dealing with these issues. That the Government is now over two years late in fulfilling this obligation is appalling. We say simply to Government; do not come and lecture us about deadlines when it is you who are in major default.

Our question to the Prime Minister is simple, why the delay? Of the 35 countries in Europe required to make a submission to the Council of Europe there is only one – Cyprus - in a worse position than the UK. Such is the bad faith of the UK Government towards the people of Northern Ireland.

We call on political parties and, in particular, human rights organisations in Northern Ireland to make clear their dismay at this lack of accountability by the Government to its international commitments on human rights.

We call upon the UK Government to not proceed with its Plan B without clarity on how the Government plans to fulfil its international human rights commitments to all in Northern Ireland. To do otherwise is a derogation of its duty to those living in Northern Ireland.

We have been informed by the Council of Europe that a start to monitoring the UK’s implementation of its human right commitments is imminent. This is a clear challenge to Government to stop delaying. We will be expecting initial comment to our challenge when we meet the PM later this week.

We call on the Irish Government to make clear its position as a neighbouring State in regards to fulfilling international human rights standards.

These issues are fundamental to a stable and peaceful society: effective participation by local elected representative; rationale for North-South co-operation; citizens rights and individual choice; and good neighbourly relations between States. There are standards on these matters that both the Irish and UK Governments are obliged to adhere to. To date neither Government is fulfilling its commitments. No wonder the UK Government delays in being accountable to international scrutiny.

I make it clear that the meeting with both Prime Ministers is not a simple skirmish or seeking a slick sound-bite for party political purposes. It is a serious strategic challenge to Government coupled with a sense of clear purpose. We will continue to monitor and challenge both Governments in regards to their lack of adherence to international human rights standards.”

UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has today urged the Government and policy makers in the EU to make more funding available for research and development into the use of biomass and bio fuels as an alternative energy policy.

Mr Nicholson said that the countries across Europe which have made significant steps in developing renewable energy had done so “because of substantial government investment in research and development sooner rather than later” and added that the £15.2 million set aside for research and development in the Government’s environement and renewable energy fund “was not enough to unlock the potential of renewable energy in Northern Ireland, especially in bio fuels and biomass.”

Speaking from Brussels Mr Nicholson said,

“I told the European Parliament’s agricultural committee last week that energy security, rising energy costs and climate change are perhaps the greatest challenges facing us in the 21st Century.

“This was illustrated in no uncertain terms by the gas dispute earlier in the year between Russia and the Ukraine and we cannot afford to allow ourselves to be held to ransom by Russia or by countries in the Middle East. In the future we must look to alternative energy sources that we have control over.

“With Northern Ireland farmers coming under intense pressure from low prices on world agricultural markets, more could be done to encourage the use of crops for bio fuels. CAP reform and the introduction of the single farm payment mean farmers can now look at alternative uses of their land to create innovative new markets and provide new business opportunities.

“While bio fuels and biomass are not the only answer to Europe’s energy concerns, they should be an integral part of easing them. Bio fuels are good for the environment, the agriculture industry and our worsening energy dilemma but it is important that a certification system is introduced for both domestic and imported bio fuels to mitigate against any environmental impact of bio fuel production.

“We must make renewable energy cost effective for both the producers and the consumers. The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, should consider offering bio fuel producers more than a three-year reduction in duties so that producers can recoup their setup costs. Currently, the three-year period is not long enough to encourage more investors to venture into the bio fuels sector.”

Ulster Unionist South Belfast assembly member, Michael McGimpsey, will meet with Planning Minister David Cairns on Tuesday to highlight the problems associated with “unscrupulous developers” and the proliferation of Houses Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) which includes flat conversions.

The South Belfast MLA will call for:

- a cap to be placed on the numbers of HMOs in residential areas

- an effective moratorium on new HMO development in the Holylands

- and proper controls and policy in place to allow planners to clampdown on unscrupulous developers.

In a statement, the South Belfast MLA said: “According to the Housing Executive’s recent ‘South Belfast Housing Study’ there are more than 10,000 HMOs in Northern Ireland, half of which [4,806 properties] are in South Belfast alone. Clearly, HMO development and flat conversions is smothering communities in South Belfast.

“The Belfast Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Subject Plan is due for publication on Tuesday. Assuming it comes back with appropriate controls, I will be calling for a Ministerial statement pledging to immediately adopt it as policy.

“Jeff Rooker produced a Ministerial statement for rural planning. While the PPS 14 document was out for consultation, it was treated as policy. Urban development should be approached in the same way. If they can protect the countryside from rural bungalows, they can protect South Belfast from unscrupulous developers.

“Therefore, I will be calling on the Minister to give immediate effect to safeguards and controls contained within the HMO Subject Plan. If these are immediately adopted it will guillotine applications – and avoid the inevitable rush from developers over the coming months.”

He added: “Newly proposed HMO applications must be banished from the Holylands. Indeed, in all areas of South Belfast there must be a cap placed on HMOs and flat conversions allowed in the area.

“For example, in Glasgow there is a 10% cap on HMO development placed around the university area. There needs to be a similar approach for Queen’s University – a 10% cap must be the absolute maximum.

“We need to put proper controls and policy in place to allow the Planning Department to deal with unscrupulous and profiteering landlords. But in particular we need to bring the Planning Appeals Commission into line.

“What has happened in the Holyands could not have happened without the lax approach of the Planning Appeals Commission. This is unacceptable in a public body.”

Concluding he said: “Just to get an idea of where all this could be heading - one landlord remarked that there should be no residents in Holylands, that it should be exclusive to HMO development.

“I think that’s an outrageous suggestion for anyone to make. But this indicates that landlords and developers are now sufficiently emboldened to now be opening talking in this way.

“The Planning Minister should now immediately send out the clear message that South Belfast communities will be protected. Their quality of life must be given primacy in the decision-making process.

“The trend over HMOs must be stopped in South Belfast. Communities should not be smothered by haphazard and unregulated development.”

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA, has reacted to the recent revelation that the total number of noise complaints received by District Councils in Northern Ireland during 2004-2005, totalled 10,047 and during this period a total of 340 noise abatement notices were issued and only 17 prosecutions took place.

Tom said: “These figures clearly demonstrate that the present legislation is not working and is ineffective when only 17 prosecutions were successful. This is only the second year for which complete results are available> In comparison to 2003/2004, there were an additional 1,650 or 20% more noise complaints during 2004/2005. I am certain when the next report is published by 31 August 2006 we will see further increases.

I have already been made aware of the plight of many residents in Dungannon that they have to endure due to the actions of noisy and inconsiderate neighbours. Many weekend nights some residents cannot get a wink of sleep due to all night parties and anti social neighbours.

This problem appears to be commonplace in many towns and villages in Northern Ireland.

It has been compounded by the huge increase in the number of private rented dwellings currently in Northern Ireland and this massive increase has now brought about the problem of excessive noise.

It is now time that Councils should adopt The Noise Act 1996, which provides additional powers to deal with noise at night from domestic premises. These powers include provision to issue warning notices, fixed penalty notices and in certain circumstances to seize noise-making equipment. To date in Northern Ireland I understand that only Belfast City Council has adopted the Noise Act and I am calling on Dungannon District Council to adopt this act as soon as possible.

Noise can affect the quality of life of everyone and can cause severe distress and if Councils get more powers these must be enforced and it is not sufficient to have only 17 prosecutions out of a total of 10,000 complaints”.

A Belfast man who suffered an injury to his back in 1994 and who has been waiting for an operation for 8 years has been told his condition is incurable and that he will have to live with it.

Mr Jason Herron blames gross negligence and inept bureaucracy on behalf of the Health Service for the extraordinary 8 year wait and subsequent incurable diagnosis on what should have been a routine operation. He is now unable to work.

His initial injury, sustained when working in 1994, resulted in Jason having 3 discs in his back. After a lengthy paper trail and back and forth referrals, appointments that were not appointments, lost files and paperwork, Jason’s wife, in desperation, contacted UUP East Belfast MLA Michael Copeland for help.

In a statement Mr Copeland said,

“Mr Herron has been awaiting treatment for a condition that impinges greatly on his well being since 1998. His condition needed rapid and urgent attention. He didn’t get it. Instead he was subjected to a bureaucratic paper-chase, administrative errors, referral after referral which were subsequently cancelled or didn’t exist, and ultimately - due to the eight year wait – final confirmation that his condition is now deemed incurable.

The experience has been a utter nightmare for Jason and his wife Diane. They waited patiently to be contacted by the Royal Hospital until 2004. Then, out of sheer frustration, they contacted the specialist’s office at the Royal only to informed that he no longer treated back injuries. This is shoddy treatment.

I have written to the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland highlighting the case and demanding action. It seems only fair that the Herron’s receive a formal apology but are entitled to some sort of compensation given the gross negligence displayed that have turned what should have been a routine operation - that would have enabled a young man to carry on working and earning a living – into an incurable condition which effectively incapacitates him.”

Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament Jim Nicholson MEP has said today that the entire community in Northern Ireland must unite to condemn the recent spate of racially motivated attacks in the Province and work together to ensure that these disgusting attacks become a thing of the past.

In a statement Mr Nicholson said,

“There is no justification whatsoever for these disgusting attacks. People have a right to work in this country, to live in their homes and go about their daily business safe in the knowledge that they are free from intimidation by mindless thugs.

“Migrant workers have made a positive contribution to Northern Ireland’s economy and it is essential that the message gets out that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“People from Northern Ireland have made a valuable and in some cases vital contribution to societies and communities across the world and I am certain that nobody in this Province would want our fellow citizens who are abroad and far from home to be treated in the same way as some foreign nationals have been in this country.

“I don’t want to have to face my colleagues in the European Parliament coming from a country that is regarded as the race hate capital of Europe. These attacks must end and I would appeal for the entire community to unite and ensure that these barbaric acts become a thing of the past.”