Clean-Up Welcomed

A leading MLA, Robin Newton (pictured) has welcomed the Minister for the Environment Edwin Poot's statement in the Assembly on the draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill. "Dog fouling, litter and graffiti etc are issues such as these negatively impact on an area and directly impact on the quality of life including just how pleasant it is to live in certain districts. This bill will give local councils given additional powers to help them address problem areas such as young people gathering and creating nuisance, on street drinking and other types of anti-social behaviour. The introduction mirrors popular and successful legislation in Great Britain, and I would encourage all residents and community groups to fully engage in this important consultation phase which closes 23 April," the DUP Junior Minister said.

On The Buses

A lady coach driver has received £22,500 in settlement of a sexual harassment case. The details were released by the Equality Commission on Monday which is International Women's Day. Julie Rutherford, from Magherafelt, received the settlement from Chambers Coach Hire after she claimed management failed to protect her after she experienced unwanted comments of a sexual nature and inappropriate physical contact.

SDLP 'Speak Out'

SDLP Leader Margaret Ritchie has announced SDLP representatives who will form the party's tier of junior spokespersons."The new additions to the SDLP team will supplement and compliment our MPs and Assembly Members. There are so many important areas of policy work that affect and challenge every household which go beyond the government departments in the Assembly," she said. "With that in mind I have identified 16 areas and will give SDLP representatives key roles to advance our party's work in building a better Ireland. These will include primary health care, planning, urban regeneration, tourism, fisheries, children and disability and womens' affairs," she said.

Reatail Jobs Created

More than 150 full and part-time jobs are to be created in north Belfast. TJ Hughes is to invest over £1.6m creating 16 full-time and 137 part-time jobs at Cityside Retail Park, Yorkgate. It would be the discount department store's first shop in Northern Ireland. It currently has 52 stores across the UK after trading in Britain since its first store in Liverpool opened in 1912.

SF Back Derry Culture Bid

The Sinn Féin Derry City Council Group Leader, Maeve McLaughlin has welcomed progress made with officials tasked with developing the City Of Culture bid. "I welcome the acceptance by the team that we are only at the draft stage of the bid and further proposals and amendments are welcome. Exposing gaps and weaknesses in the bid is not opposition but work in progress to ensure that the final product reflects the richness and diversity of our cultural heritage. We will continue to work to ensure that the final proposals represent the strongest case possible for this City," she insisted.

(BMcC/GK)