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Ulster Unionists have warned that proposals contained in the Northern Ireland Ports Policy Review could seriously diminish the significant role ports have played in the local economy.

According to the Party:

* Public Corporation status would not only impair the operation of the ports as it is incompatible with the commercial realities of operating a modern port

* Ports must not be subject to any asset stripping which would seriously undermine future investment plans particularly with a new major port been planned at Bremore in the Irish Republic

* Political representatives are united in their view that the current review process has not been developed with the best interests of the Port of Belfast or the wider economic interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

In a statement, UUP DRD Spokesperson Leslie Cree said: “This week Belfast harbour was named Irish Port of the Year. And port chiefs have revealed that a five-year £140-million capital expenditure programme on new terminals, logistics facilities and container capacity is now underway.

“Yet in March of this year, Shipping Minister Stephen Ladyman said at the Ports Policy Review Conference that “we are not in the business of ‘fixing things that ain’t broke’”.

“The harbour clearly ain’t broke. In fact it has proven to be a tremendously important driver to the local economy. Will Mr Ladyman now stand by his comments and immediately abandon these unnecessary and potentially damaging proposals?”

Concluding, the North Down MLA said: “In 2001 the Assembly agreed to maintain the integrity of Belfast Ports Harbour Estate. We believe that it is wrong to reopen this issue at this time.

“Far from overhauling ports status, the government really ought to be extending powers agreed in 2001 which have not yet been actioned. Every effort must be made to ensure that all of Northern Ireland’s Trust Ports operate on a level playing field with their competitors in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“We believe a modified trust port model could be found which would allow the Northern Ireland Ports to continue to prosper and add major value to the economy as they have done for a great many years.”

The Signal Centre in North Down, run by North Down Borough Council has become the first SME support facility in Northern Ireland to be accredited as a Centre of Excellence by the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative.  Unlike other accreditation schemes that focus on one part of an organisation’s performance, the Centre of Excellence award measures an organisation’s ability a whole to deliver targeted business support to small firms.

To achieve the accreditation Signal had to be bench marked against best practice across a wide range of performance measures, from staff skills and knowledge to business - friendly products and services, networking and collating feedback.

“As Chairman of the council’s economic development committee I am obviously delighted that Signal’s success in offering high quality services to small businesses has been recognised through this accreditation.  It has proven an excellent means by which to gain recognition for the work of the Signal team, benchmark our services and demonstrate that local authorities can play a very significant part in entrepreneurial development.”

“The assessment process has helped us to focus our plans, service development and practice and I am confident that Signal as a centre of business excellence can only go from strength on this basis.”

Signal celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year and offers an events programme of experiential learning, mentoring and practical sessions on topics that equip business with the know-how to achieve growth.

For the first time in 2006, North Down District Policing Partnership (NDDPP), in  partnership with North Down PSNI, has recognised good police duty performed in the District.

Previously the Local District Commander presented certificates to Officers who had gone over and above the call of duty, however the decision to award recognition certificates in consultation with the DPP was taken in late 2004.

At a meeting in public in Monday 4th September 2006, North Down DPP Chairman, Alderman Leslie Cree and District Commander Superintendent Shields presented 10 Officers with certificates for action within North Down.

Speaking of the presentation, Chairman of the DPP, Alderman Leslie Cree stated “The local PSNI employs many  excellent officers who work hard to make North Down a safer place to live and I am delighted that the DPP is taking this opportunity to recognise the courage, commitment and contribution of some of the  Officers concerned.  Issuing the certificates and highlighting the excellent work that is being done,  goes some way to help increase public confidence in the Police Service.

The Chairman (Alderman Cree) congratulated the 10 Officers who had been recognised and hoped the certificates helped to express the DPP’s gratitude for their unstinting work.

Speaking at the presentation North Down District Commander, Superintendent Graham Shields stated:” I welcome this partnership approach in recognising and acknowledging good police work and I congratulate those officers, who have received the certificates on this occasion. All of my officers will continue to strive to deliver a professional and quality police service to all members and sections of the North Down Community”.

North Down MLA Leslie Cree and UUP Regional Development Spokesperson has welcomed the pledge by Minister David Cairns of a £400m upgrade for public transport services but has asked for more detail on how the new plans will be implemented.

Mr Cree said:

“Firstly, any type of significant investment that will help improve our public transport system has to be welcomed, but I’d be interested in seeing the small print for these new plans.

“The Minister has given us little detail as to how his plans are going to be implemented, particularly the workings of the proposed ‘three tiered system’ and the plans to create more involvement for private operators. Are we heading towards a more privatised transport system? I think the Minister should make it clear the extent that the private sector will be involved.

“Privatisation of the public transport network in Great Britain has produced - to say the least - mixed results. A convincing case has yet to be made that partial privatization, probably of the more profitable routes, will benefit public transport users throughout Northern Ireland.

“Northern Ireland’s public transport network operates on the principle of cross-subsidies, ensuring that commercially less profitable but social necessary routes are kept open. Partial privatisation could undermine this principle, potentially restricting access to public transport especially in rural areas.

“We all recognise that Translink can improve on its performance. However, with a legacy of successive Direct Rule Administration’s under-funding NI’s public transport, partial privatisation of NI’s public transport network misses the point.

“I would also add a cautious concern to the new Passenger Transport Authority. While I hope it will ensure a local, democratic input into public transport decisions in the future, this is some three years away and does little to address present concerns regarding transport issues throughout the province”.

North Down MLA and UUP Regional Development spokesperson Leslie Cree has welcomed a £400 million package of major road upgrades both east and west of the Bann.

The package was announced today by Regional Development minister David Cairns, who is set to launch a two-month consultation for road users to say where the money should be spent.

Mr Cree said:

“Firstly, anything which improves our infrastructure and enhances our economic links has to be welcomed. Naturally, I would urge all interested parties to make their feelings known during the consultation period. It’s also interesting to see that Ulster Unionist concerns regarding the dualling of the West have been acknowledged.

“However, this is a considerably large and complicated budget which the department has to work with and considering recent reports of Government under spend, I truly hope that this money goes where it’s supposed to”.

Mr Cree continued:

“Whilst we see important developments for Lisburn, Londonderry and Ballymoney, we again see North Down left out of the loop. This will come as blow to residents and commuters within North Down whose needs were also ignored in the recent Strategic Network Plan. Plans discussed for developments between Bangor and Belfast have all but disappeared from the Government’s radar and I would hope that they reconsider plans for North Down in the future”.

“Perhaps at the level of community consciousness the loss of the Sons of Ulster and the founding of Northern Ireland are intertwined.  The Battle of the Somme became Northern Ireland.”

This is a very poignant comment made by a learned colleague of mine which I feel encompasses the feelings of those who visit the ceremonies at the Ulster Tower and Guillemont in France to remember and honour those who fought for our freedom over ninety years ago.

The outbreak of the Great War in 1914-1918 placed Ulster on the world stage and it is something of which the people of Ulster and Ireland should be proud.

As well as the 36th (Ulster) Division and the 16th(Irish) Divisions at the Somme there were many other Ulstermen who joined other battalions and who should also be remembered as fondly and as proudly.

At the outbreak of the war the British Army raised 82 battalions in Ireland. By the end of 1914 Ulster contributed 42 of these.  As well as the 36th (Ulster) Division there were six battalions of the regular Army from Ulster, five Ulster battalions in the 10th (Irish) Division and five more in the 16th (Irish) Divisions.

Also many Ulstermen chose to enlist in Scottish Battalions such as the 6th Black Watch and 4th Seaforth Highlanders that formed the 51st (Highland) Division, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Many other Ulstermen joined the London Irish, the Church Lads’ battalion of the Kings Royal Rifles, the Bantam Battalions, the Royal Scots, the Cheshire and the Sherwood Foresters, not forgetting those Ulstermen who were to be found amongst the Canadians in the Dominion troops where two soldiers won the VC.

The advance of the 36th (Ulster) Division at the commencement of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916 was perhaps the most memorable single episode of the war and stands out in military history as one of the finest displays of courage that the world has ever seen.

On the site of this epic advance at Thiepval a memorial tower was erected by public subscription in memory of the officers, non-commissioned officers and the men of the 36th(Ulster) Division, and of the sons of Ulster in the Great War and all of their comrades –in –arms who also died or were spared to return.  The Ulster Tower was the first memorial erected on the battlefields in 1921.

When I visit the 90th Commemoration of the Battle of the Somme in France this weekend (1st July 2006) I like to think that I will take with me the thoughts and prayers of all of those people in North Down who have lost family and friends in this great struggle for civilisation.

“We will remember them.”

I was amused to see that the Minister for Regional Development, Mr David Cairns being motivated, or was it stung, into responding to recent articles and letters in the Spectator on the unfair nature of the proposed water charges.

I make no apology for having been critical of the Government’s ill thought out handling of our water and sewerage problems in recent times.  Conveniently Mr Cairns sidestepped some important issues, which need to be addressed.

The current problem emanates from over thirty years of neglect by successive British Governments.  During this time ratepayers paid for the service.

In the mid nineties the Government invested heavily in the service in England and Wales. At the same time £50 million was agreed to be paid annually to Northern Ireland for water and sewerage improvements.  It would appear that the money simply went into “the pot”.

The upgrading of the services was necessary because of a European Directive.

One wonders when the improvements may have been made if Europe had not intervened?

The Governments current proposals remain unfair for a variety of reasons despite their fumbling and reluctant concessions as a result of pressure from many quarters.

Developers should pay for the provision of services to new housing.  Now conceded but still no sign of the saving been passed on to the consumer.

Road drainage costs should be paid by road users and not by water consumers – still no change.

The latest references by Government to the introduction of an affordability tariff are unclear.  Does this mean that to qualify one has to be in receipt of benefit? Or does “low income” mean some system of “means testing?

A call to the Water Reform Office today did not provide any clarification.  “We hope to make a further announcement on metering in the autumn”!

Certainly the modern standards of water and sewerage provision must be applied and a fair system of charging implemented.  It must be clear and easily understood.  It could be on the Regional rates or if an alternative system is agreed, metering must be provided.  The former Minister said there was no alternative to the present proposals.  That’s a pretty flimsy reason to continue down this route.  If a bad idea is the only idea the Department can come up with, it’s not unreasonable for people to object.

If the Government is serious about interest groups producing alternatives, then it should put a freeze on the process until a full debate has taken place on the Assembly floor.

I had tabled a motion for private members’ business on 19th May 2006 but the Secretary of State has not yet agreed for the issue to be debated.

Mr Cairns in his article again draws attention to Northern Ireland paying less than the average that people living in Great Britain pay.  I wonder if this is the reason?  This comparison glosses over regions in Great Britain where Northern Ireland compares favourably.   It also ignores other factors such as average wages in N. I. are around 20% less than the rest of the UK.  We also pay substantially more for electricity and around two thirds more for our gas than the mainland.  Regional price levels also show that we pay on average more than Scotland, Wales, the North East and Yorkshire/ Humberside.

Mr Hanson, another Minister in the Government has told us that the increase in the Regional Rate this year will raise an estimated additional £42 million from domestic properties in Northern Ireland.  The introduction of 25% rating for manufacturing companies will produce a further £18million in 2006/07.  Non-domestic vacant rating is estimated to raise a further £5.5million.

There are other bigger issues in the Governments intentions.  Water charging is planned to commence next year and by 2010 the full charges will be applied.  At this time water and sewerage services will transfer from the Government to the Regulator, he or she will then decide the charges.

It may be that the sole purpose of separate charging is to prepare the water service for a quick sale.

The experience across the water does not provide much comfort.  The water companies wrote off £960 million in bad debts last year.  Fifteen percent of householders consistently refuse to pay their bills.  Leakage targets set by the Regulator are not achieved.  Thames Water applied for an emergency drought order.  These are the “benefits” of 17 years of privatisation.

Whilst I have no difficulty in supporting private industry as a principle the Government has left too many imponderables for the matter to be a success.

Government must cease their “suck it and see” approach to this important issue and return to the drawing board.

I was amused to see that the Minister for Regional Development, Mr David Cairns being motivated, or was it stung, into responding to recent articles and letters in the Spectator on the unfair nature of the proposed water charges.

Government must cease their “suck it and see” approach to this important issue and return to the drawing board.

North Down MLA and UUP Regional Development spokesperson Leslie Cree has voiced concerns regarding a recent Government consultation document which reveals that the Port of Belfast could be broken up and stripped of its assets for the benefit of speculators.

Mr Cree’s comments are part of a tide of criticism against the proposals, which would undermine the port’s £140m capital investment programme, and includes progress on the Titanic Quarter.

Mr Cree said:

“The Port is an economic winner – handling 17m tones of goods in 2005, 66% of Northern Ireland’s seaborne trade and is the busiest passenger port on the island of Ireland.  To dismember and sell off parts of one of our most important assets is sheer foolishness and shows total disregard to the future of our infrastructure.

“It is vital that the Port of Belfast remains under public ownership and works in the best interest of Northern Ireland and its people. Its sale to private businesses at a time when we are in the midst of a £140 million investment programme would undermine the progress already made and fragment the estate unnecessarily”.

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”.