Call For Transparency As NI Council's Financial Deficit Revealed

Alliance Councillors have called for radical action to ensure local government finances are available after the financial deficit of Causeway Coast and Glens was revealed.

In a joint statement, Councillor Chris McCaw and Alderman Yvonne Boyle said Councillors and ratepayers had been shocked to learn of the situation.

"We must now all commit to working together to put our finances on a more secure footing," Cllrs McCaw and Boyle stated. "We need to listen to the advice and guidance offered by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and where necessary take radical action to start to rebuild the trust of ratepayers. It is vital all Council processes are transparent and open to scrutiny.

"This year will be a particularly difficult one for our Council, but we are confident we can begin to plan for a stronger financial foundation moving forward."

Lisburn Carriageway To Undergo Improvements

A carriageway in Lisburn is set to close for five weeks for improvements.

The Department for Infrastructure will lead a £60,000 scheme to resurface Hulls Lane, replace a drainage culvert and improve road drainage.

Work will begin on Monday 10 February and run for five weeks.

A series of road closures will be in place between 8am and 6pm daily to facilitate the scheme. Access for residents and businesses will be accommodated where possible. An alternative access has been agreed through Lissue East Industrial Estate for 'Hulls Lane Business Park' traffic when ongoing construction works prevent any through traffic using Hulls Lane.

Members of the public are urged to follow signed diversionary routes, comply with all temporary traffic restrictions and to exercise care when travelling in the vicinity of the works.

NI Water Showcases Working Equipment In Online Challenge

NI Water is one of the latest companies to take part in the popular online 'Tetris Challenge', revealing a look at some of the equipment required to maintain the region's Wastewater and Sewerage Networks.

The Tetris Challenge sees emergency services lay out their equipment for all to see.

Staff in Belfast unloaded their van to give customers a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment used by the Wastewater teams. Some of the equipment includes a CCTV Survey Camera, Sewer Tracer Reel, C.A.T (Cable Avoidance Tool) & Genny, Magnetic Lifter, Saver Set, Gas Monitor, Safety Harness, Drills, Grinder, Welder along with all the safety and PPE equipment. Sammy Hamilton (M&E Craft Fitter) and Peter Neeson (Wastewater Networks) also took part in the challenge.

NI Water technicians use these pieces of equipment to deal with everything and anything while working on the sewerage network including Fatbergs, sewer blockages and flooding.



(JG/CM)