Other News In Brief

PSNI Vans To Encourage Hate Crime Reporting Over Pride

The PSNI is set to deploy "policing with pride" vans over the Belfast Pride period to highlight that hate crime is unacceptable and encourage victims to report it.

Police officers will join the Pride Day parade on Saturday 03 August, as members, friends and supporters of the LGBT community step out to celebrate equality.

This year is the third that local officers will support the initiative.

As the vans are deployed, the PSNI called on members of the public to help them tackle hate crime in Northern Ireland.

"To stop it, report it," a spokesperson said.

"Phone Police on 101 or in an emergency call 999."

GRAHAM Wins Prestigious Award For Collaboration

Northern Ireland construction firm GRAHAM has secured a major award from Highways England.

The firm, along with its partner and design company Sweco, was recognised for excellence in collaboration at the annual Highways England Regional Investment Programme (RIP) conference on 11 July.

Highways England praised the "culture and behaviours" embedded within the GRAHAM/Sweco partnership, and stated: "GRAHAM/Sweco truly embraced Highways England's culture and behaviours with awareness and understanding of collaboration. The shared common objective to achieve the Start of Works date, and the co-location within the Highways England office has enabled them to demonstrate a one-team approach, promoting openness and trust, whilst laying a foundation for long-term relationships. They have achieved excellent Behavioural Maturity Framework (BMF) results, and have played a key role in deliverables for mobilisation, which were shared regionally and nationally."

GRAHAM/Sweco was the only partnership recognised at the event.

Commenting on the success, Dave Brown, GRAHAM Highways Director, added: "On behalf of GRAHAM, it was an absolute pleasure to receive the Regional Investment Programme Award for Collaboration. Having worked as part of Highways England's supply chain for a number of years, I personally have noticed a step change in behaviour, and the will to challenge the status quo. 

"The integrated project team in the South has been brilliant, and we could not have asked for a better team. We are looking forward to building on this success, and I would like to thank all of the people who nominated us for the award."

Consultation Launched On Antrim Planning Framework

An eight week consultation period is to open on the next phase of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's Local Development Plan.

Aimed at giving everyone an opportunity to have their say and help shape the new planning framework for the Borough to 2030, this stage includes a series of public information meetings and drop in sessions taking place across the area between 31 July and 05 September.

The events are designed to provide further information on the draft Plan Strategy which was published last month, and the eight week consultation will provide everyone with an opportunity to have their say.

Speaking ahead of the Public Consultation, Chair of the Planning Committee, Alderman Philip Brett highlighted its significance. He said: "Planning decisions affect our housing, education, businesses, rural communities and our natural and historic environment and through the draft Plan Strategy we wish to positively and proactively guide development in the Borough so that we can meet the needs and improve the quality of life of all our residents."

The consultation opens tomorrow, Friday 26 July. More details on the planned events can be found here.



(JG/CM)