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North Down Ulster Unionist candidate Leslie Cree was encouraged this week after receiving an email from a young RE student who suggested that the Ulster Unionist Party were successfully reaching out to ethnic and minority groups on his Party’s main website.

In his comments to the politician he wrote, “Can I just note how pleased I was to see how people from the Arabic, Chinese, Lithuanian, Polish and Portuguese can read the UUP website. Something as simple as this is missing in other party websites but I am glad someone has thought of them.”

In response Mr Cree stated,

“It is refreshing in this period of extremes that young people including foreign nationals are taking a real interest in and are asking questions about what should be normal politics in our society.”

If we are to become a normal pluralist society it is essential that we all recognise our cultural and ethnic differences. All of us working together will make a stronger and more cosmopolitan society in this modern world. “

This must be the way forward if we are to engage meaningfully in the areas of economic development including tourism, a flexible labour market, an improved educational climate and health and prosperity for all.”

Speaking at the Strategic Investment Board Conference, Ulster Unionist Candidate for North Down, Leslie Cree, has said that if Northern Ireland is to seize opportunities of the future then overcoming the legacy of decades of under-investment in our infrastructure is not an option – it is an economic imperative.

Addressing the conference at Newcastle’s Slieve Donard Hotel, Mr Cree said: “There is a consensus across all the key stakeholders in Northern Ireland – government, business, civil society, political parties – that investment in our public sector infrastructure has historically fallen far short of what was required.

“The Troubles were, of course, the key contributor to this underinvestment. And the three decades of unaccountable, remote, unresponsive Direct Rule are a reminder of the importance of good governance and accountable political structures to delivering strategic public investment in infrastructure.”

He said that there must be partnership between the private sector, public sector and elected representatives to effectively deliver the infrastructure needed for a competitive economy and cohesive society.

“The task facing the next Northern Ireland Executive is to deliver investment in strategic infrastructure projects which allow Northern Ireland PLC to grow, compete and prosper,” he said.

Ulster Unionist North Down MLA Leslie Cree has welcomed today’s launch of the All-Party Animal Welfare Group at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.In a statement, Mr Cree said: “The creation of this all-party group is a welcome advance toward pushing animal welfare issues up the political agenda.

“Public awareness is increasing and I think it is only right and proper that MLAs as elected representatives reflect the public mood.

“Protection of our native species – such as the Irish hare – is vitally important if future generations are to enjoy the beauty and diversity of wildlife we share on this island.”

Ulster Unionist North Down MLA Leslie Cree has welcomed today’s launch of the All-Party Animal Welfare Group at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

In a statement, Mr Cree said: “The creation of this all-party group is a welcome advance toward pushing animal welfare issues up the political agenda.

“Public awareness is increasing and I think it is only right and proper that MLAs as elected representatives reflect the public mood.

“Protection of our native species – such as the Irish hare – is vitally important if future generations are to enjoy the beauty and diversity of wildlife we share on this island.”

As an MLA there are many consultation documents that appear on my desk.  Some relate to change in operations and improvements to services.  Others are not in the interests of improving services and are concerned with the reduction of costs and/or employees.

I have just studied a consultation document from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), formerly The Fire Authority for Northern Ireland, entitled Draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2007/08.

At first glance it would appear innocuous but on closer examination the proposals contained init are fundamentally flawed.

In the North Down area there are two front line appliances based in Holywood.  One of these would be removed and the Station downgraded. No financial savings are contemplated and the recent investment of £40,000 in the training of ten new fire fighters would be wasted.

This is ironic since Holywood is one of three Centres of Excellence in Northern Ireland and provides NVQ Learning Standards to new recruits.

The Holywood Station covers a wide area from Knocknagoney Road to the Devils elbow and includes the development at Holywood Exchange which will include the new IKEA superstore.  It is also part of the emergency response plan for the Belfast City Airport.

The Consultation Document is based on a review of the usage of second appliances and does not appear to consider the actual demand.

For example at the time of the survey Holywood’s manning levels were 50% of its intended establishment due to severe staff shortages.

This seriously compromised Holywood’s ability to mobilise its two appliances in 2005 and therefore the figures contained in the document are not representative of the reality.

In previous years the response of the second vehicle was up to five times that of the 2005 figure.  Holywood is now back to full capacity.

The proposals from the Service’s Consultation Document envisage replacing the second front line appliance with a small Fire Safety Unit which would seriously compromise their ability to provide adequate cover for our community.

It is difficult to see how NIFRS could guarantee its pre-determined response times if appliances were required to come from other areas.

The very successful and proactive Community Fire Safety initiatives would also suffer through lack of resources.

It also follows that strategic cover for other areas would be difficult to provide from a reduced Holywood resource.

The second Holywood appliance has been there for many years and has probably been fully depreciated.

The staff is all part time volunteers and therefore represent no stand by cost.  Why dispense with such an economic and valuable service?

I will be writing a response to this Consultation Document to oppose any reduction in this crucial service which is provided to a high standard and at little cost to the taxpayer.

UUP Regional Development spokesperson Leslie Cree MLA today responded to the High Court ruling against the Direct Rule administration’s water charges legislation.

In a statement Mr Cree said,

“The High Court’s decision is a stinging indictment of the Direct Rule Administration’s handling of the water charges issue.  Unaccountable to the people of Northern Ireland, the Direct Rulers refused to heed the concerns of Northern Ireland’s political parties, the Consumer Council and the social partners.

“In the absence of the accountability provided by devolution, the Courts have fulfilled their proper role as a check on government.  The Consumer Council is to be congratulated for taking this case to Court, and injecting some element of accountability into the entire process.  This is a reminder of the vital, independent role of the the Council in holding government and other service providers to account.

In light of the High Court’s decision, the Ulster Unionist Party strongly urges the Direct Rule Administration to accept the obvious implication flowing from the judgement - that local Ministers and elected representatives in a devolved Assembly are best placed to address this issue, working in partnership with the Consumer Council and civil society.  We trust that the Secretary of State will now publicly declare his intention to leave this matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly.”

North Down Ulster Unionist politician Leslie Cree visited Sharon Hill, Development Worker at Whitehill Community Association this week to congratulate her and her colleagues on meeting the criteria to qualify Skipperstone Glen Project as one of six in the final of the Peoples Millions Competition that will be televised on UTV on 14 November.

Once a beautiful waterway, the Glen has slowly degenerated into a communal waste disposal ground as a mountain of household rubbish as gathered there over the years.

Feedback received from local residents shows that they want to have Skipperstone Glen developed into a safer cleaner area where they can enjoy time with their families and friends.  The children that enjoyed it 20-30 years ago now have their own families and would like their children and grandchildren to enjoy its restored natural beauty.

“Not only will the stream and surrounding area benefit from the injection of cash, the project will turn a negative black spot into an attractive environmental, health and educational project.  It will also prove to be a useful local community project where everyone can take ownership of the area and maintain it.”

Whitehill Community Association are to be congratulated for their vision for their local community but if the project is successfully voted as a winner on November 14, it will become a local attraction and recreational area for all residents and the wider community.

It will also improve working partnerships with statutory, voluntary and community organisations and will prove that by working together great things can be achieved.”

“The prize of £50,000 will be a major winner for the people in the Whitehill/Bloomfield area.  To make this happen we need everyone’s vote for Bangor!”

Ulster Unionist DRD Spokesperson Leslie Cree has welcomed today’s decision at the High Court which has forced water charge legislation to be delayed.

In a statement, the North Down MLA said: “The position is clear – there is sufficient concern not only about the conclusions but also in decision-making processes involved in this legislation.

“It is vital that government reconsiders their position and abandons plans to force these measures through in the absence of devolution. Decisions of this nature – the results of which have far-reaching implications for society here – ought to be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

“If government were to carry on regardless it would send out the unpalatable message that the opinions of political and civic representatives, the findings of consumer watchdogs, the views of unions and lobby groups, and the considered judgment of our legal system are as nothing compared to the dictates of Direct Rule Ministers.

“The Consumer Council has achieved cross-party and cross-sectoral support for its case. Government could avoid the financially and politically costly mess of ongoing legal action by choosing to show faith in local representatives and their capacity to govern on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

“After all, the desire to establish local decision-making here is what St Andrews was all about. By transferring this decision to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the government would be showing commitment not only in the present political process but also in the potential for a new era of politics to emerge in post-agreement devolution.”

We have ten days to make a case to Government was the clear message of Ulster Unionist DRD spokesman Leslie Cree speaking at a Water Charges Seminar and presentation organised by the General Consumer Council at Stormont this week.

Mr Cree MLA said,  “I would voice my support for the Consumer Council in their efforts to force Government into a rethink on this issue. Their presentation was persuasive and comprehensive – and Government can ill afford to ignore their views.

“One key complaint from the Consumer Council cuts to the core of what is wrong about Direct Rule Government – that there has been a critical lack of openness and transparency to these proposals. Can it really be said that consultations have been meaningful?

“The government has succeeded in uniting political parties, trade unions, community groups and business organisations. Overwhelmingly, Northern Ireland society is fundamentally opposed to these plans. And yet the pace toward legislative change continues unaltered.

“To plough on regardless of public opinion, suggests that there’s a paucity of ideas within the department. This isn’t solely a sad indictment on policy-making – it’s just bad government.”

“ We have ten days to make further recommendations to Government. This is a very tight time-scale in which to turn major issues around.  However one option proposed by fellow Ulster Unionist Lord Laird is for all politicians to unite with the Consumer Council to bring the fight to the House of Lords.  Here it may be possible at least to pass a motion that will give us more time to challenge Direct Rule Ministers about what will happen to our billing systems after 2010 when the 3 year part-subsidies are due to run out.”

Commenting after attending the Consumer Council’s water charges seminar in Stormont today, UUP DRD Spokesperson Leslie Cree MLA has said:

“I would like to voice my support for the Consumer Council in their efforts to force government into a rethink on this issue. Their presentation was persuasive and comprehensive – and government can ill afford to ignore their views.

“One key complaint from the Consumer Council cuts to the core of what is wrong about Direct Rule government – that there has been a critical lack of openness and transparency to these proposals. Can it really be said that consultations have been meaningful?

“The government has succeeded in uniting political parties, trade unions, community groups and business organisations. Overwhelmingly, Northern Ireland society is fundamentally opposed to these plans. And yet the pace toward legislative change continues unaltered.

“To plough on regardless of public opinion, suggests that there’s a paucity of ideas within the department. This isn’t solely a sad indictment on policy-making – it’s just bad government.”