Call for Emergency Budget Legislation

Alliance has called for the Secretary of State to consider emergency legislation allowing the Civil Service to agree a Budget.

Party Leader Naomi Long and Deputy Leader Stephen Farry wrote a letter to James Brokenshire asking him to amend the Northern Ireland Act to provide greater flexibility and discretion in the event agreement on forming an Executive is not found in the next three weeks.

Dr Farry said: "Northern Ireland is already in the midst of a budgetary crisis, as the ongoing absence of a Budget has restricted the opportunity for strategic planning at a time when scarce resources should dictate every pound is spent efficiently and effectively.

"The lack of advanced notification has led to potentially thousands of employees, especially within the community and voluntary sector, being placed on protective notice. In the best case scenario of a formal Budget being agreed before the end of March, we will see Departments, arms-length bodies and other organisations having to spend money from a standing start.

"If the Executive is not restored and a Budget promptly agreed, the situation could be even worse. The emergency provisions say only 75 per cent of last year's Budget can be allocated at the end of March. There are no legal means to strike a regional rate, meaning a shortfall of well over £1 billion in spending power.

"It is not realistic to expect accounting officers to proceed at risk and to allocate more than the 75 per cent in anticipation of a formal Budget being provided. Therefore, we can expect some type of freeze on any discretionary spending, which would have a disproportionate impact on the community and voluntary sector. Already we have key budget areas, notably the health service, schools, and policing, in a difficult situation."

Work On £90,000 Resurfacing Project In Co Down To Begin

Work on a £90,000 resurfacing scheme in Holywood, Co Down, is to start on Monday, 20 March.

The project will improve the strength and surface quality of the carriageway on a 250metre section of this important B Class Road in Holywood town centre.

The scheme will be carried out over four consecutive nights and is expected to be substantially completed by the end of March.

Diversions will be put in place during the works.

Call For People To Get Back On Electoral Register

Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey has called on people denied their vote in the recent election as a result of a decision by the Electoral Office to ensure they get back on the electoral register.

Mr Maskey said: "Before the election some 60,000 people were taken off the electoral register by the Electoral Office.

"Despite the hard work to get people back on the register there are still thousands of people effectively being denied their right to vote.

"The right to vote was hard won through the campaign and sacrifice of the Civil Rights Movement so I would once again urge people to get re-registered."

(CD)