Other News In Brief

UUP Calls For Urgent Meeting With PSNI Chief Constable

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA and UUP Policing Board representative Mike Nesbitt MLA have called for an urgent meeting with the Chief Constable of the PSNI in response to Mr Justice Scoffield's High Court ruling to quash the decision made to suspend a police officer and to re-position another officer following disorderly behaviour at a memorial gathering on the Ormeau Road in February 2021.

Mr Nesbitt said: "It is unacceptable that a political party can influence policing and the duty status of any police officer, as has been made clear in Mr Justice Scoffield's ruling.

"Doug and I shall be making clear our view and seeking to establish how this happened, on what other occasions it may have happened and how the Chief Constable intends to reassure the public it can never happen again."

DAERA Announce Public Consultation On NI's Carbon Budget

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the first of three public consultation sessions on Northern Ireland's Carbon Budget, to be held this Thursday, 31 August.

The in person and online events will provide an opportunity for people to have their say on how they think we should tackle the threats presented by climate change.

The findings will then set an agreed carbon budget and targets and will help inform Northern Ireland's first Climate Action Plan.

Details of the public consultation events are:

1. Derry/Londonderry, 31 August 2023, 2pm - 4.30pm, Foyle Valley Railway Museum & North West Learning Disability Centre, 1 Foyle Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6SQ.

2. Belfast, 05 September 2023, 2pm - 4.30pm, Belfast City Hall, BT1 5GS.

3. Online, 07 September 2023, 7pm - 8.30pm.

In June, DAERA launched NI's first ever consultation on Carbon Budgets for 2023-2027, 2028-2032 and 2033-2037 as well as the interim targets that should be set for 2030 and 2040 for reductions in greenhouse gases. A carbon budget sets the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions over a given period of time.

DAERA is also seeking views through the consultation on the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC), recommended Path to Net Zero for Northern Ireland and is keen to hear from individuals, businesses, communities, and other organisations from across Northern Ireland.

The 16-week consultation runs until 11 October 2023 and can be accessed on the DAERA website.

Alliance Bangor Central Councillor Karen Douglas Announces Resignation

Alliance Bangor Central Councillor Karen Douglas has announced her resignation from Ards and North Down Council.

The Councillor will resign from the role at the end of September, with Alliance selecting her replacement soon after. The former Mayor of the Borough said she will look back on her time with great fondness.

"As a resident of Bangor, it has been my immense honour to serve local people as Councillor for the past seven years,” she said.

"In particular, my time as Mayor and Deputy Mayor provided the opportunity to meet with individuals, groups and organisations across our Borough, to thank them for the support, comfort, guidance and service they provide across the local area.

"In addition, it was with great pride I welcomed Princess Anne to Bangor to have city status conferred, and in turn I was able to confer the Freedom of the Borough to both the Irish Guards and local musician Gary Lightbody. Those memories will live with me the rest of my life.

"While I am stepping back from my role as an elected representative, I remain a great supporter of Alliance, my Council team colleagues and our MLAs and MP. My commitment to achieving the best for our Borough, our city and our society remains, and I will continue to work towards a peaceful and reconciled society as a private citizen.”

Alliance North Down MP Stephen Farry thanked Karen for her service as Councillor.

"Karen has an impressive record on Ards and North Down Borough Council, bringing motions to increase openness and transparency around full Council and Committee meetings, securing an ambitious tree planting regime, lobbying for the redevelopment of Queen's Parade and promoting biodiversity across the Borough.

"Her successful term as Mayor will particularly stand out and my thanks go to her for the dignity, dedication and enthusiasm she brought to the role. I send her my best wishes in this new stage of her life and I am confident her replacement will continue her stellar record on Council."