Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Aktar Hussain, 44, claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £3,167 while failing to declare employment. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay an offenders levy of £15.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

DUP Accused Of Bring Assembly Into Disrepute

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has accused the DUP of bringing the Assembly into disrepute by carrying on a charade of nominating and resigning Executive Ministers.

Mr Dickson was speaking after the DUP nominated Michelle McIlveen was appointed new Regional Development Minister on Monday. It follows the resignation of the previous Minister, the UUP's Danny Kennedy. Ms McIlveen is only expected to remain in the role for a short time before resigning again, similar to the DUP's other Ministers.

Mr Dickson raised the issue as a Point of Order in the Assembly Chamber, saying he did so on behalf of the public.

He said: "I asked the Speaker whether this constant nominating and resigning was going against the Pledge of Office for Ministers, as it could be viewed as bringing the Assembly as a whole into disrepute.

"The Regional Development Minister has a particularly key role in our society - we have all witnessed the growing number of tragic deaths on our roads for example. A committed Minister could help improve road safety and help reduce the amount of accidents."

Council Announces Regeneration Plans

Belfast City Council has launched its City Regeneration and Investment strategy at the Waterfront Hall.

The 'Belfast: Future City – making it real' event aims to transform the city by creating more jobs, increasing the population, attracting new retail offerings, and further developing the tourism industry.

It will also support innovation and learning, develop city centre green areas for cyclists and walkers, connect outlying areas to the centre and enhance shared spaces.

It is undergoing a £30 million facelift to include conference and exhibition facilities.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Guy Spence, pointed out that a new era was beckoning for Belfast and urged private and public sector partners to play their part in ensuring the economic success of Belfast, which will drive growth across Northern Ireland.

He said: "With the new powers that have come our way with local government reform - land use planning, community planning, regeneration, increased tourism powers - we now have the opportunity to build on current successes.

"But we need to work in partnership with developers, business people, entrepreneurs and government agencies to deliver. We, as a council, can become the enablers, to make it easier for developers to develop, businesses to do business, for people to work live and play here. We all have a part to play.

"The City Centre Regeneration and Investment Strategy is significant as it is the result of an extensive consultation process during the past year. It will shape the development of the core of our city during the next 10-15 years."

(CD/MH)