Other News In Brief

£6,000 Of Public Money Used To Facilitate A Bonfire

A total of £6,000 of public money has been used to move a children's playground close to the Comber Greenway in east Belfast to facilitate a bonfire, according to an Alliance Councillor.

The figure was revealed to Alliance Belfast City Councillors in relation to the Chobham Street bonfire.

Alliance Councillor David Armitage said changes needed to happen before next year's bonfire to ensure the same result wasn't repeated.

He said: "I realise the Council had no alternative due to the proximity of the fire but it beggared belief we ended up in a situation where equipment from a children's playground was moved in the first place. But it makes the situation even more disgraceful to find out it cost so much public money to do so, especially in an area which could have used that money for community development.

"We cannot deal with this situation and other similar ones if we wait until next summer. That's why Alliance are participating in meetings about next year's bonfires now. While many people engaged with the Council and used a beacon instead, others didn't, so it is clear a better working protocol is needed."

Property Firm Prosecuted For Breaching H&S Legislation

A property firm in Belfast has been prosecuted for breaching health and safety (H&S) legislation.

Granite Properties Limited was found guilty of four breaches of H&S legislation.

Belfast City Council brought the firm to court for failing to ensure the H&S of employees and the public, by potentially exposing them to asbestos containing materials at their Blackstaff Mill premises.

The case related to an incident on 06 March 2012, when employees of the company were directed to carry out work with asbestos containing materials (ACM) within Blackstaff Mill, including a business unit in the complex. The prosecution case was that the unsafe system of work created the serious risk of respiratory exposure of asbestos fibres to the workers and business operator and its customers.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard that the work in question was of a type that should have been carried out by licensed asbestos contractors. Belfast City Council's investigation into the incident found that the company itself was not licensed to work with asbestos.

On completion of the work, and pursuant to Enforcement Notices served on the company by Belfast City Council, the company had to engage licensed contractors to conduct a clean-up and decontamination programme on the affected areas.

Granite Properties Limited was convicted of breaching Articles 4 and 5 of the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978 and Regulations 8 and 9 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations (NI) 2007.

UUP Welcomes Postponement Of PSNI Pilot Scheme

UUP MLA Jenny Palmer has welcomed a decision by the PSNI to postpone a pilot scheme to tackle those driving off from petrol forecourts without paying.

She said: "I am happy to hear that the PSNI have decided to postpone the pilot scheme following feedback. This demonstrates that they have been listening and I hope they will now reflect on what will be the best way forward for all stakeholders."

(CD)