Alex Easton MLA - ALEX EASTON MLA CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION PLANS TO HELP RETAILERS IN NORTH DOWN BEAT THE RECESSION.
ALEX EASTON MLA CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION PLANS TO HELP RETAILERS IN NORTH DOWN BEAT THE RECESSION.
Alex Easton MLA has today called for an urgent action plan to be put in place to try and help struggling retailers across North Down.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“Having had the Minister down to visit Menarys store and to discuss issues with the Bangor commerce of trade I believe that it is urgent that a collective group of interested party’s get together to discuss the recession and how it is effecting local retailers, and what can collectively be done between retailers, Town Centre Manager, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, Council, DETI and DSD to help the retailers across North Down.”
“As we all know we are at the mercy of the global economy and events in the Euro but this does not mean we can’t look at innovative ways to try and help. I feel an action plan is need and I would like to look at the following points to help.
A) A Conference with Businesses and interested party’s
B) Better use of the Internet to promote business to other areas
C) Empty shops being allowed to open by land lords for short licences
D) Rentals being reduced by Land Lords
E) Free car Parking
F) Price on the use of Market stalls reduced
G) Consumer confidence
“Although the Northern Assembly has done as much as it can through Business Rates being frozen, and the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme and Invest Northern Ireland giving help to start new business up, there is also the responsibility of the media to help build consumer confidence because without this being built up and people coming out to shop then we will struggle, we need the people of North Down to support their small businesses in their Town Centres.”
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Alex Easton MLA - EASTON WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF PHOENIX GAS TO MILLISLE.
Alex Easton MLA has expressed delight after receiving a letter from Phoenix Gas to state their plans for the future, which explained how Phoenix are to extend its gas line network to Millisle in 2012/13.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“This is good news for the residents of Millisle this will enable them to make serious conscious decision on whether they wish to obtain gas which is cheaper than oil, it also gives residents the chance to compare energy prices between the different heating fuels and hopefully get a cheaper option.”
“This is good news for Millisle and good news for the consumer, I only hope that any disruption to the road network as work begins is kept to a minimal and that Phoenix will repair the roads in the area properly afterwards.”
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Councillor Peter Weir MLA & Councillor Jennifer Gilmore - WEIR AND GILMOUR LAUNCH ADDITIONAL SRVICE IN HOLYWOOD
Peter Weir explained “I am delighted to announce that along with my office manager Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, we will be launching a new weekly service for the people of Holywood in general, and those constituents in the Redburn/Loughview area in particular. We will be holding a weekly surgery every Wednesday at the Redburn Community Centre from 3pm-5pm. This is to expand the range of services offered locally by the DUP, and is aimed at complimenting the good work of our colleagues in Holywood, Alex Easton MLA and Gordon Dunne MLA, and in particular it will run alongside the work of the full time office in Holywood run by colleague Gordon. This is about local DUP representatives ensuring that we give the fullest possible service to constituents in every corner of North Down.”
Councillor Jennifer Gilmour added “When elected, I promised that the DUP would use the opportunity to increase our service to the people of Holywood. Along with our full time constituency office in the town, I am glad to fulfil part of this pledge myself through the Redburn/ Loughview weekly surgery. I personally will be managing this service and we will deal with whatever constituency problem people have, from housing issues to social security problems, from educational concerns to planning matters. I would encourage everyone, but particularly constituents from Redburn/Loughview to come down to the surgery and we will do our best to help.”
Councillor Peter Weir MLA - WEIR WELCOMES BALLYSALLAGH ROAD CLOSURE COMPROMISE
"I welcome news that there has been a compromise solution reached on the timing and arrangements for road works on the Ballysallagh Road. The previous plan would have lead to major disruption to businesses, particularly the Clandeboye Lodge, and lead to loss of trade in what are already tough economic conditions for businesses locally. The initial proposals were ill thought through, but I am glad to see that a compromise has been reached which key local businesses such as Clandeboye Lodge and Blackwood Golf Club can live with, as well as balancing the needs of roads users and Roads Service. This followed widespread lobbying from both local businesses and elected representatives. There will still be an ineviatable level of disruption, but at least it will be kept to a sensible minimum. I would like to thank all those for their efforts, and in particular George Montgomery of Roads Service for finding a sensble compromise.
This sigh of relief however, should not distract us from the underlying problem of how this situation arose in the first place. A last minute decision to do carry out road works, with little time for consultation is not the best way to go forward. We need Road Service to act both in a more strategic long term manner, and to put in place sensible and timely arrangements for consultation. We were able to pull back from the brink on this ocacsion and find a satisfactory solution, but the real victory of the Ballysallagh Road incident will be if lessons are learned, so that in the future we don't repeat this problem again."
Alex Easton MLA - DUP ALEX EASTON MLA LAUNCHES PETITION OVER PROPOSED CLOSURE OF DONAGHADEE POLICE STATION.
Alex Easton MLA today launched a petition with members of the community to try and keep Donaghadee Police Station open.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“Having met with traders from Donaghadee and the Beechfield Community Association it is clear that the residents of Donaghadee want to keep their police station open. Even though the station is open only twice a week for a set amount of hours it is clearly valued and important that the station remains open to the public as it clearly acts as a deterrent for criminals.”
“It is crystal clear here is a need for a Police presence in Donaghadee and I would call on the PSNI to ensure that there is a clear strategy in place that ensures that Donaghadee has a community police presence in the town that is visible and accessible to the public.”
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Alex Easton MLA - Easton Comments on Number of Dog Attacks in NI
North Down MLA Alex Easton has commented on figures which show there were over 900 dog attacks investigated by District Councils across Northern Ireland last year. Mr Easton received the information in response to an Assembly Question tabled to the Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neil.
Speaking today Mr Easton said, ‘Whilst the overall total revealed in this answer will cover all attacks investigated regardless of the severity of the incident, the fact that on average there were approximately 2.5 attacks per day investigated last year will be a surprise to many people.
Unfortunately it is only in the last few days that we have once again been reminded of the injuries that can be caused when a dog attacks after a 13 year old boy was bitten in the legs in Armagh. The injuries caused by pit-bull type dogs in particular are well reported, but many types of dog can pose a threat if they are not properly handled and controlled.
On first glance there are also some apparent disparities within the figure which I believe require greater investigation to find the full details. For example, Newry & Mourne Council investigated more attacks than any other, including Belfast City Council which obviously has a much larger population. Indeed, Newry & Mourne Council investigated nearly 2.5 times as many incidents as my own Council of North Down which is of roughly similar size to Newry.
We must establish whether this means that there is a greater problem in different parts of Northern Ireland, or whether it relates to differing policies in terms of pursuing cases. In my initial question to the Minister I had asked for details of reported attacks, but the answer has given details of attacks which were investigated by each Council. I will wish to establish whether this apparent difference is of significance, as this will determine whether we need to be looking at targeting particular districts, or whether a more standardised system of reporting and investigation across Councils is necessary.
Whatever issues there may be about reporting and investigating, it still remains that any attack by a dog is a traumatic experience for the person involved and can often result in very serious injury. There is a responsibility upon dog owners to make sure that their dog is properly controlled when in public and that dogs are always kept on a lead.’
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Alex Easton MLA - EASTON PLEASED WITH FURTHER DROPPED KERBS FOR LOUGHVIEW.
Alex Easton MLA was pleased to learn that more dropped kerbs are being installed in Loughview Estate, Holywood.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“This is further good news for those who are elderly and disabled within Loughview; I have campaigned for dropped kerbs for several years and although some had been installed several years ago there was also gaps left.”
“Hopefully this is the final stage for the remaining areas to be done with the junction at Oakley Avenue and Abbey Ring having the work carried out as we speak”
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Alex Easton MLA - ALEX EASTON MLA WARNS RESIDENTS OF HOLYWOOD AND CRAWFORDSBURN NOT TO LEAVE VALUABLES IN THEIR CARS.
Alex Easton MLA has today warned residents in the Holywood and Crawfordsburn areas, not to leave valuables in their cars, after yet another break-in behind a doctor’s surgery in Holywood over the weekend.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“There has been a huge surge in cars being broken into in the Holywood area since before Christmas, I would urge all drivers not to leave valuables in their cars and if they have to leave them either lock them in the boot out of sight or bring them with you.”
“Not only are women’s hand bags are being stolen but their cars windows are being broken and damage caused. I would appeal for the public to be vidulent and to report anything suspicious immediately to the PSNI in Holywood.”
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Alex Easton MLA - DUP ALEX EASTON MLA IS PLEASED WORK TO FINISH THE KILMAINE ROAD HAS FINALLY STARTED.
Alex Easton MLA is reacted with relief after receiving word from the DRD that the Kilmaine Road is finally having the work to resurfaces the road started after months of delays.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“I am really pleased the work on the Kilmaine Road has finally started, the road had been left in a real mess after the works to the footpaths had been done. This had left the footpaths raised far too high above the surface of the road, and was a problem and eyesore for residents living in the area”
“Many residents had been disappointed at the way the Kilmaine Road had been left and why it had taken so long to complete the job. However this is now behind us and the much needed work has started to everyone’s relief.”
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Alex Easton MLA - EASTON SHOCKED AT HOUSING EXECUTIVE ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR RATES IN BANGOR.
Alex Easton MLA was shocked to discover from an NI Assembly question he submitted that Bangor has the highest rates of Anti-Social behaviour incidents reported to the Housing Executive anywhere across Northern Ireland except Belfast.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“I have to say I was rather shocked to see Bangor has the highest levels of Anti-Social behaviour reported to the Housing Executive across Northern Ireland with the exception of Belfast. The figures for April 2010 /March 2011 showed 233 incidents for the Housing Executive for the Bangor area.”
“Many people suffer from anti-social behaviour and may of the incidental are described as simple meaning low level anti-social behaviour. However any type of Anti-Social behaviour is totally unacceptable as it can make tenants lives a living hell.”
“I would today call on the Housing Executive to send out the message that they have a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, and they will respond in a robust fashion to those who are involved or cause such behaviour.”
“The Housing Executive does a fantastic job and we should respect the work they do, and get behind them to help tackle anti-social behaviour.”
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Alex Easton MLA
April 2010 to March 2011April 2011 to December 2011
DISTRICT OFFICE RECORDED CASES DISTRICT OFFICE RECORDED CASES
Simple Complex Simple Complex
North Belfast 162 108 North Belfast 119 6
South Belfast 213 17 South Belfast 213 0
East Belfast 87 5 East Belfast 65 12
West Belfast 293 35 West Belfast 190 25
Shankill 32 2 Shankill 27 1
Belfast Area Total 787 167 Area Total 614 44
Bangor 220 13 Bangor 175 5
Newtownards 172 16 Newtownards 159 12
Castlereagh 154 17 Castlereagh 67 3
Lisburn 207 9 Lisburn 169 13
Dairy Farm 106 2 Dairy Farm 114 2
Downpatrick 182 7 Downpatrick 125 5
S East Area Total 1041 64 S East Area Total 809 40
Banbridge 72 31 Banbridge 33 14
Newry 251 39 Newry 169 49
Armagh 95 25 Armagh 50 3
Lurgan 99 65 Lurgan 78 18
Portadown 58 29 Portadown 31 16
Dungannon 87 15 Dungannon 72 9
Fermanagh 170 63 Fermanagh 123 13
South Area Total 832 267 South Area Total 556 122
Ballymena 94 4 Ballymena 83 1
Antrim 158 15 Antrim 104 5
Newtownabbey 1 90 10 Newtownabbey 1 50 5
Newtownabbey 2 150 5 Newtownabbey 2 86 1
Carrickfergus 152 2 Carrickfergus 96 1
Larne 69 4 Larne 53 3
Ballycastle 24 3 Ballycastle 23 4
Ballymoney 48 9 Ballymoney 51 6
Coleraine 64 3 Coleraine 65 7
N East Area Total 849 55 N East Area Total 611 33
Waterloo 15 0 Waterloo 39 0
Waterside 51 7 Waterside 81 5
Collon Terrace 117 6 Collon Terrace 100 12
Limavady 67 18 Limavady 39 2
Magherafelt 44 4 Magherafelt 47 1
Strabane 116 5 Strabane 91 5
Omagh 84 7 Omagh 56 8
Cookstown 52 12 Cookstown 39 4
West Area Total 546 59 West Area Total 492 37
Grand Total 4055 612 Total to date 3082 276
