Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Londonderry Crown Court.

Daniel Hutton claimed Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £22,674 while failing to declare Capital. He was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

Council Supports Plans To Build Club House In Castlederg

A proposal to build a single-storey club house for Dergview Football club has been supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Plans for Darragh Park in Castlederg include community space, new changing facilities and toilets, a covered terrace, two new turnstile buildings, a new toilet block and control room. Repairs to the existing grass playing surface were also proposed which will upgrade the facilities currently provided at the club.

SDLP Councillor John Boyle said: "This is great news for current club users and for the local community in Castlederg in general. The new facility will see a major upgrade of the current facilities at Dergview Football Club and Councillors were unanimous in their support of this project.

"Dergview FC are an excellent example of a junior football club with big ambitions."

Motion To Continue Funding Benefits Advice Service Passed

An Alliance motion to continue funding a benefits advice service has been passed by Belfast City Council.

However, Alliance Group Leader Michael Long has said he is "disgusted" after Communities Minister Paul Givan refused to meet the Council on the matter.

The Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service was informed just before Christmas funding from the Council and Department for Communities would be withdrawing funding. The organisation was established ahead of welfare reform changes to help support and assist those in receipt of benefits.

However, after a motion brought by Councillor Long, the Council has now agreed to fund the service until the end of the financial year.

"I was pleased to bring this motion, as the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service provides valuable, irreplaceable help to many people across Belfast. In the past three years alone, it has dealt with almost 23,000 enquiries and over 3,500 referrals.

"The motion would also see it funded in 2018, subject to the money becoming available. With the incoming changes to welfare reform and associated benefits, the service is now needed more than ever."

(CD)