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Ulster Unionist South Antrim assembly member Jim Wilson has voiced his deep disappointment that Conservative Peers failed to support a fatal amendment on the Water and Sewerage Services Order submitted by UUP Peer Lord Trimble last week.

In a statement, the UUP MLA said: “I am sure that the people of Northern Ireland will feel sorely let down by Conservative peers. If householders here had hoped that the Tories would see sense and back our motion of deferment, they will now see how misplaced those hopes truly were.

“Due to the Tories’ failure to support our amendment, householders could now see bills arriving on their doormats in April – an outcome which was easily avoidable.”

He added: “Water charging is a critical issue. This is the bread and butter politics that Tories are fond of talking about. But sadly, they could not translate their warm words into firm action.

“Conservatives now stand complicit, alongside the Direct Rule administration, of denying people here a proper say on this issue. Having lectured people about involvement in grassroots politics, they should instead hang their heads in shame.”

Ulster Unionist Review of Public Administration (RPA) spokesman Jim Wilson MLA, speaking during a break in today’s debate on the RPA said,

“By close of play today the Assembly will have sent an important message to the Secretary of State on the RPA.

This Assembly has been labelled Hain Mark 2. He pulls the strings. So what exactly is Hain going to do about the outcome of the debate?

I am calling for the Secretary of State to listen to MLAs and act on the basis of what he has heard today. After all Northern Ireland Ministers have in the past said that they will listen to what is said during Assembly debates, reflect and act accordingly.

Having denigrated us and told us to get off our backsides and make decisions,  it would be utterly ridiculous if the Secretary of State did not act on today’s decision by the MLAs.

Mr Hain should stand up now and say that, given the majority will of elected representatives, the seven council model is now shelved.”

Ulster Unionists have welcomed the announcement by the Irish government that it will adopt key recommendations of the Independent Working Group on Salmon and back a compulsory buyout of drift netting licences.

UUP South Antrim MLA Jim Wilson said: “Ulster Unionists have taken this issue very seriously. Through MEP Jim Nicholson, Lord Maginnis and our local government representatives, we have lobbied long and hard on this issue in Ireland, and in the UK and European Parliaments.

“Drift net practices have been preventing salmon from reaching upstream spawning grounds – the result has been a significant reduction in both North Atlantic and inland river populations.

“This practice had the capacity to beach around half a million salmon every year. That cannot but have devastating effects on local tourism, conservation and the rural economy.

“It is vital for local fisheries that drift netting of salmon is ended completely and upriver salmon populations are allowed to thrive once more.”

He added: “The hardship fund which the Irish government has introduced for netsmen is a welcome and responsible measure.

“With fund resources targeted toward rural regeneration, I trust that local economies can diversify and that the end of drift netting is managed sensitively.

“Alongside partnership organizations, such as the North Atlantic Salmon Fund, Ulster Unionists have been campaigning hard on this issue across all levels of government. We will be monitoring the situation to ensure that proper enforcement measures are taken and that the goals of the buyout scheme are achieved.

“I trust that this long-overdue decision by the Irish government will now see salmon stocks quickly replenished.”

Ulster Unionist Spokesperson on the Review of Public Administration, Jim Wilson, has restated his opposition to the seven-council model and added that the UUP will now be consulting on the details of the local government boundary commission provisional recommendations.

In a statement, the South Antrim MLA said: “The Party, in tandem with our constituency associations, will be closely consulting on the detail of this document.

“The names for these proposed new councils are neither interesting nor imaginative. Indeed, Mr MacKenzie himself has said that he consulted historians on council names, but without success.

“Given that no unifying names could be found, does this not emphasize the utter lack of local identity within the seven-council model? These councils have so defied and divided public opinion that they even defy academic opinion on appropriate local description.

“Whatever structures are created it is important that they reflect local identity, particularly in rural areas. This is obviously not the case under present plans.”

He added: “In January Belfast City Council supported a motion by Sir Reg Empey which stated that the seven-council model ‘will inevitably create democratic deficit, limit local accountability and identity and, in the longer term, will negatively impact on community relations’.

“In Belfast, as indeed across Northern Ireland, I believe the political will exists to turn government over on this issue.”

Concluding he said: “I understand that these proposals are due to go before a legislature in July next year. I want that legislature to be the Northern Ireland Assembly. Because at that point, the UUP will lobby hard on opposition to the seven-council model in favour of a much more equitable system.

“We support a more efficient and more effective local government. But the seven-council model is the most ineffective and divisive of all options on the table.”

South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Jim Wilson says he is astounded by the reduction in funds allocated to the upkeep of Newtownabbey’s roads.

“Figures published showing annual expenditure over a five year period since 2001 show that 2005-06 has seen the lowest investment with only £2.548 million being directed towards road maintenance compared to a high of £3.676 the previous year.

“Spending tops £3million in each year except last year,” says Mr Wilson.  “In fact Newtownabbey shares second lowest place with Carrickfergus - only Moyle council area has been allocated less funds.

“The year 2003 -04 saw the highest overall spend across the province with a total of £129 million spent on roads maintenance compared with almost £121 million last year.  This represents a 6% decrease in overall spending, however Newtownabbey has suffered a 27% decrease in the same period.

The other council area in the South Antrim constituency, namely Antrim, I am pleased to say has had a better year in 2005-06, but there still is a 15% reduction in funds allocated compared to 2003-04.

“This expenditure includes all maintenance costs, including resurfacing, reconstruction, surface dressing, patching, grass cutting, gully emptying, traffic management, street lighting and car park maintenance costs.

“With some of our roads in a bad state of disrepair - particularly those in rural areas where surface dressing exercises in the hot summer months were nothing short of disastrous - it is clear that these funds are simply not enough if we want our roads to be of a standard that can cope with 21st century traffic levels,” said Mr Wilson.

Ulster Unionists have launched ‘North South Watch’ – a regular monitor of developments which shines a light on what has been “gradual mission creep” of North South Bodies in recent months.

The Party has asked South Antrim MLA Jim Wilson to join Esmond Birnie’s team to oversee the initiative and updates of this work will soon be available on the UUP website (www.uup.org).

A comprehensive report has been compiled detailing some of the more worrying aspects of North Southery. For example:

In December 19 2005, the Northern Ireland Office announced an extension of terms of appointment to North/South Body boards (Foyle, Carlingford & Irish Lights Commission; North/South Language Body; Intertrade Ireland; The Food Safety Promotion Board and; Tourism Ireland.

On May 2nd 2006, a Joint Communiqué from the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference stated that matters under discussion were: security situation and continuing cooperation between PSNI and An Garda Siochána; a range of issues in relation to Policing, Parades, Loyalism, Inquiries (Hamill, Wright, Nelson, Finucane); human rights and equality; and North/South matters including the Northwest region, Northwest Gateway Initiative, Derry/Letterkenny Gateway and the 4 local council areas of Derry, Strabane, Limavady and Donegal.

On September 8 2006, Dermot Ahern told the British-Irish Association that “there will be a step change in North-South cooperation… We have agreed on this and are prepared to give practical expression to it.” He went on to say that “we will look at health, education and other public services in border areas and on an all-island basis.”

In a statement, South Antrim MLA Jim Wilson said: “We are greatly concerned that North South Bodies have gone into mission creep. Internal and external issues were supposed to exist as mutually dependent entities. If the Assembly falls, the North South element should also fall. But regrettably this has not been the case.

“Not only are the organisations formalised under the Belfast Agreement operating beyond a care and maintenance basis, but a substantial sub-strata of north-southery has evolved which is entirely independent and unreflective of the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland.

“Jeff Rooker in the House of Lords last July in reply to Lord Kilclooney, said: “If the noble Lord is concerned about discussions between the United Kingdom government and the government of the Republic, he will be more worried after 24th November because discussions will deepen.”

“That’s why the Ulster Unionist Party has created North South Watch. This gradual expansion of North Southery must be highlighted and challenged.”

“We will not allow the rights of the people of Northern Ireland, according to international norms, to be set aside by any government.”

“Ulster Unionists will be keeping a close eye on North South developments in the coming weeks. We will not take our eye off the ball on this issue.”

Visit our new North/South Watch section

Back in May 2002 when Her Majesty the Queen came to Stormont she said, “Here in the Assembly you have an historic opportunity to bring the administration of Northern Ireland closer to the people whom you serve”. She also said “By working together in this place, in the interests of all your constituents, and those too young to vote, in whose hands, ultimately, the future lies, this Assembly can demonstrate that it is possible to build trust, and in so doing continue the building of a new Northern Ireland.

She also said that she welcomed the real sense of normality that has over recent years been returning to the lives of ordinary people, even if tempered from time to time by moments of disappointment and pessimism.

I agreed with everything Her Majesty said at the time and it still my fervent belief that a devolved Assembly with locally elected politicians held to account by their electorate is the only way forward,” said Mr Wilson.

“Last week the Secretary of State admitted that a Direct Rule administration could only have “limited influence”.  Addressing local business leaders he said, “You need to have direct access to a local minister, taking local decisions and being accountable to a local electorate.”

“Any politician who believes that Direct Rule is a better alternative than devolution is a fool.  Northern Ireland Office Ministers can ride roughshod over the people who live here because ultimately they do not depend on any of us to re-elect them on polling day. They hold responsibility for up to three government departments on a part-time basis – how can that equate with having a locally elected Minister with a full-time presence and responsibility for just one department?

The Assembly did work. We made progress through being able to speak directly, face to face, with Ministers across the Assembly chamber and in the corridors of Parliament Buildings.

The Assembly put an extra £1.2 billion into the Health Service, an additional £500 million into roads like the Toome by-pass and the Corrs Corner-Larne Road; it put 100 new ambulance service vehicles on the road; it put £530 million into railways and buses and £2 billion into the reinvestment and reform initiative. The Assembly put a Commissioner for Children in place and £8 million into Irish Football; it introduced free travel for Senior Citizens and disabled war veterans; it provided free nursing care for the elderly and £420 million into school buildings like Antrim Grammar and Loanends Primary.

Much more was done in support of services that benefit us all. There is unfinished business; there is more to be done.

“On 24th November we have, once again, and probably for the last time, an historic opportunity to bring the administration of Northern Ireland closer to the people whom we serve.  The people must put pressure on their local politicians not squander this opportunity.”

“My office staff rang the DVLNI County Hall Ballymena on behalf of a constituent who had difficulty getting through to the department to enquire about the whereabouts of his driving licence,” says South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Jim Wilson.

“Over a period of 3 days my staff tried to get through to someone to make enquiries on the constituent’s behalf but were unable to speak to anyone other than the switchboard as the telephone number of the Vehicle Licencing Department was constantly engaged.  Upon making enquiries from the switchboard re the difficulty getting through to the department my staff were told that “no-one answers the phones in the Vehicle Licencing Department at the end of the month, they are too busy at the counters”.  Upon questioning this my staff were told that this was common practice at the end of the month in all DVLNI offices.

“My constituent applied six weeks ago to have his licence renewed.  He sent along his passport and old licence, which were returned to him, but he is still waiting to receive the new licence.  Three weeks ago he was told by the department that they had posted out the new licence but it turned out they had sent it to the wrong address.  The occupiers of the “wrong address” returned the licence to the DVLNI who in turn, they say, sent the licence out to the correct address.  To date it has not turned up.

“The answering service attempts to address frequently asked questions, however this is a case that requires a rather more personal touch.  As an elected representative I in turn am referred to the same answering machine.  If DVLNI know - and they have admitted it - that they are busier at the end of the month why have they not put the necessary measure in place to cope with this and maintain an acceptable level of customer service?

South Antrim MLA Jim Wilson has criticised Minister Hanson for his recent comments claiming that ‘Anti-social behaviour is being confronted in every part of Northern Ireland’ and has accused him off ‘sugar-coating’ reality in a bid to placate growing concerns about anti-social behaviour.

Mr Wilson said:

“Minister Hanson is living in la-la land if he truly believes that his government is effectively tackling anti social behaviour in Northern Ireland. We’ve only seen 13 Asbos issued since their inception, despite Minister Hanson’s claims that ASBO’s ‘will continue to be deployed with energy and confidence in Northern Ireland’.

“The Minster’s sugar-coated review of anti-social behaviour in Northern Ireland will not wash with Ulster Unionists. Furthermore, the Minister’s comments encouraging ‘anyone who is suffering anti-social behaviour to stand up for their neighbourhoods’ will not happen until the public are given the confidence to know that by speaking out, something will actually be done. The reality is that people have lost confidence that the courts have the ability do something and so they suffer in silence.

“The Government needs to reassure the public that they are taking these issues seriously - not with a bland diatribe of empty words and promises, but with affirmative action and by employing the full force of the law. This will make others think twice before embarking on similar disruptive behaviour, ending the cycle of disrespect and disregard these yobs espouse regarding the rule of law in Northern Ireland. We need to get the message out loud and clear that perpetrators will be caught and will be punished accordingly”.

South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Jim Wilson, who has been campaigning vociferously for legislation to control the heights to which hedges on neighbouring properties are allowed to grow, says he is disappointed that the necessary steps may not be taken until 2007.

“I first raised the matter of high hedges back in 2000 when I asked the Minister of the Environment during oral questions in the Assembly Chamber if he would introduce legislation similar to that being considered in England and Wales to place height restrictions on the growing of Leylandii trees on private property,” says South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Jim Wilson.

“Since then I have continued to lobby Ministers and have engaged the support of party colleagues at Westminster to help pursue the matter.

“The Department subsequently completed a public consultation in October 2005 to assess the scale of the high hedge problem and has recently published a summary of the responses to that consultation on the Planning Service website.

The Department says it accepts, on the basis of that consultation, that legislation is necessary but this cannot be brought forward due to a number of pressures on the legislative programme. It is now unlikely that consultation on the draft legislation will take place prior to the end of 2007.

“On the one hand I am pleased that the public have responded to the consultation exercise and proved that there is a widespread problem in this regard right across the province - a total of 641 responses were received - 95% of these were from members of the public. It is frustrating however that we now face further delays in having the necessary legislation in place,” said Mr Wilson.