Archive for December, 2009
The Green Party has called for the immediate removal of a mobile phone mast which was erected on Newcastle Main Street last week and believes that there is no need for numerous masts in the town.
Local Green Party co-ordinator, John Hardy, said “The location of the new mast is very worrying. Despite other locations being suggested, it has been installed in a prominent location on the Main Street, within metres of shop fronts. These masts are on twenty four hours a day, so the busy street will result in the public being exposed to microwave radiation at all times and at close proximity.”
“This is of great concern as some studies have found the most harmful effects even at the lowest levels of exposure. The Green Party has developed a policy on microwave radiation in which we call for action to be taken to limit microwave exposure in relation to places with vulnerable adults or children and so we want to see the immediate removal of this mast.”
Cllr Cadogan Enright stated, “The people of Newcastle do not want, and do not need, another mast in their town, particularly one located in the centre of the busy shopping area. If the telephone companies believe they need a mast, then they should relocate it to an unoccupied area. Alternatively, all the mobile phone providers should be made to share a single mast rather than installing several in the town.”
“We will be calling on the Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the local community to oppose this installation and to study the mobile phone coverage in Newcastle to ascertain if we really need it.”
Press Cuttings: Mobile phone mast row rumbles, People of Newcastle stand United Against Telephone Mast.
Down District Council is inviting interested groups to express their views on the flying of flags in the district.
Historically, Down District has worked hard with community leaders to resolve difficult issues involving national identity and culture.
There are many examples of good practice around Down District. For instance, Castlewellan and District Orange Order erects and takes down flags on the same day. In a similar understanding, the Republican Movement in Downpatrick erects flags on Easter Monday and takes them down again that evening.
Down District Council flies only the neutral Council flag on ceremonial and all other occasions with the exception of St Patrick’s Day when the Cross of Saint Patrick is flown. These are but a few of the many worthy examples of where tolerance, mutual respect and goodwill prevails in our area.
However, in an effort to make all public places in the council area more welcoming to both residents and visitors, Down District Council is seeking to implement a Good Relations Policy on Flags in Public Places.
A draft policy, which has full Council support, has been developed over the last 12 months by Down District Council’s Good Relations Forum, guided by external independent mediation.
Councillor Cadogan Enright, Chairman of the Good Relations Forum, said, “It is our policy that the identity and culture of each community should be celebrated and respected by the entire population in the Down District Council area.
From the outset we recognise flags as important emblems and that both the identity and culture of communities should be celebrated and respected. However we are also aware of the dangers that exist when flags are used as a means of demarcation or indeed intimidation. The flying of flags across the district has been identified as an area which is to be addressed”.
Draft proposals drawn up by the Good Relations Forum suggest the Council should allow the following flags to be erected before and during an event, provided they are taken down within a reasonable timescale. The draft policy, agreed by the Forum, can be viewed in full on Down District Council’s website: www.ddc.gov.uk.
Flags considered acceptable include those used to celebrate traditional events, political and cultural commemorations – e.g. Provincial flags, county and council flags, community flags, sporting flags, religious flags and cultural flags. Paramilitary flags are not acceptable.
Down District Council Chairman, Councillor William Dick said, “The draft policy demonstrates Down District Council’s commitment to the people in our community. Community opinion and support is vital in the development of a policy on flying flags in public places.
This is the next stage in the process, giving local groups and individuals the opportunity to have their say in this sometimes contentious issue.
We want to give everyone in the area a chance to shape the Council’s policy as it directly affects their well-being and their quality of life.”
Consultation on the Draft Policy on Flying Flags in Public Places in Down District will commence early in 2010.
Anyone wishing to become involved in this Consultation Exercise should contact the Council’s Good Relations Forum on 028 4461 0838. A series of consultation meetings will be arranged to include those who wish to contribute.
Press Cuttings: Council seeking views on flags, Council to seek public's view on flying of flags in Down
Newcastle Green Party members have voiced concern at failures to investigate wildlife crime at their meeting this week. But Newcastle Greens spokesperson John Hardy has welcomed reported positive moves by new Down District Police Chief commander Bones.
John Hardy said “Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright attended our meeting in Tollymore and reported to us that the new police chief appears to be a progressive, intelligent and well informed person. She is aware of the history of environmental crimes in this District and has confirmed that she is aware of recent complaints to the police Ombudsman on the lack of investigation in these areas. Commander Bones indicated that advice would be sought on training in wildlife crime in her command area.”
John Hardy said “Cllr Enright was appointed as an Independent member of Down District policing partnership prior to being made Councillor, so will be able to monitor this first hand. He reported to us that he has drawn attention to rising crime rates over the last year and the low clear up rates of crime compared with the rest of NI. There has been a 12% rise in crime over the sixth month period between April and September 2009 compared to the same time in 2008. The districts crime clear up rate is 19% compared to over 24% in NI as a whole.”
“The Green Party will support commander Bones in her new position, and will watch carefully for progress in these key areas. In particular the Local Crime Clearance rate is worse than the average clearance rates of other areas. The average for NI is 24% whereas in Down District the figure is 19%. This is a 25% difference overall in clearance rates and mirrors our concerns over lack of action or success over wildlife crimes,” concluded John Hardy
Press Cuttings: Green Party hopeful of new crackdown on wildlife crime.
