Other News In Brief

Call For Social Workers Pay To Be Increased

Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has called for immediate plans to be put in place to raise the pay of social care workers.

The South Belfast MLA was speaking following the report of the Expert Advisory Panel Report on Social Care, which said a living wage should be adopted, as well as the equalising of pay and conditions across the social care workforce in the long-term.

"This is a hugely significant report providing independent analysis of support and identification of priority reforms. It notes there are numerous strong points within the system," said Ms Bradshaw.

"Nevertheless, reform is necessary. These include a greater focus on giving control to people in care and community support, and properly appraising the cost of providing care and support. There is no dispute the conditions under which social care workers operate must also be improved.

"As we discuss the broad issue of pay for public sector workers including in the health and social care sector, it should be evident no-one in social care should be working for below the living wage. Correcting this will have a significant impact on the budget, but low pay in times of a rising cost of living is a false economy."

Plans To Be Submitted To Upgrade Park In South Belfast

A planning application is to be submitted to upgrade a park in south Belfast.

The initial plans for the Reverend Robert Bradford Park were developed by Belfast City Council in partnership with the Urban Villages Initiative.

The plans include additional open space, along with new seating and lighting, together with a selection of sensory and musical equipment to add to the welcoming atmosphere of the park.

In response to requests for outdoor gym equipment, parkour-style frames are proposed for an otherwise unused area of the site. In addition, the plans now include an upgraded multi use games area with new surfacing, improved fencing and lighting. Both traditional and larger play equipment, designed to support independent, inclusive and social play, as well as bright and colourful play mounds, will also be developed.

Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, said: "We'd like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation so far and provided us with such positive and constructive feedback. We've now considered all of the responses and we’ve made some further improvements to our plans as a result.

"We're delighted to work in partnership with the Urban Villages Initiative, to progress this important project which will help to develop a thriving, welcoming and shared space for the local community."

Call For Politicians To Protect NI's Economy

SDLP Finance Spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA has said that a year of turbulence for local business, with more ahead in the next 12 months, demands action from local politicians to protect Northern Ireland’s economy. Ahead of the most challenging phase of the Brexit negotiations, the South Belfast MLA warned that economic hardship must be mitigated to protect people and businesses.

She said: "2017 has been a turbulent year for local business and the local economy. The advent of protectionist economic policies in the US, the uncertainty posed by London’s handling of the Brexit negotiations and the failure to form a power sharing Executive in Belfast have made this a challenging year.

"The impact on our economy has been stark and while there are some chinks of light in recent economic forecasts, businesses here are facing the most intense cost pressures in six years, jobs remain under threat in the manufacturing sector and with Brexit hurtling down the tracks, there will be further inflation spikes leading to more hardship for consumers and business alike.

"All of this places a political obligation on parties to take action to mitigate the impact on people here. The only way that can be done is through local Ministers taking decisions in the best interests of those we represent. There is no alternative."

(CD)