Initial Boundary Proposals announced
The Local Government Boundary Commissioner has launched his preliminary proposals for consultation.
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Books
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Kevin Myers’ ‘Watching the Door’: Book Review
This reads as if a mad picaresque tale. Myers as first a reporter for RTÉ and then as a freelance journalist with no real experience, finds himself wandering into savagery as he hastens north as the Troubles explode. A soldier dies next to him; he witnesses an IRA ambush; he sees children shot to death [...] read our review »
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Graphic portrayals: Northern Ireland, graphic novels and the peace process
Dr Gordon Gillespie, a researcher at the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, gave a presentation on “Graphic Portrayals: Northern Ireland, Graphic Novels and the Peace Process”, at the Linen Hall Library. Gordon started with a clarification that he was going to talk about graphic novels/comic books, not cartoons, and material that was [...] read our review »
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Titanic: was it all right when it left here?
Not according to metallurgists Tim Foecke and Jennifer Hooper McCarty whose research has suggested that dodgy Harland and Wolff rivets were at fault for allowing the Titanic’s hull to be ripped apart by the pressure of the iceberg impact. With six of the hull’s chambers exposed to the Atlantic waters, the “unsinkable” ship lasted less [...] read our review »
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Anyone have any idea were that leaves the new Belfast council? More Unionists or more Nationalist or still the same?
“By the way, you forgot environmental services, local culture and arts services, rural development, community centres, economic development, tourism development (cos lets face it, unless you’re a signature project, there’s no such thing as NITB), registrar services, community development, oh look, let’s not go on, because your list is all they do really. ”
EXACTLY -look at the duplication now as councils merge not to mention the overlap with central government. We now only need 1 each of these functions per new council. Keep/enhance the foot soldiers who deliver services drectly to the public get rid of the additional heads of corporate services, leisure, tourism etc.
(Tourism? don`t start me about tourism)
As far as I can establish keeping the foot soldiers and trimming out surplus building managers and chiefs is whats happening in the TAX office consolidation (information sketchy)
Mind you exactly how keeping the footsoldiers is popular with the public is debatable –and no I am
not a “Councillor who got voted out at the last election. Or an Assembly member who wants everything centralised. ”
I think the assembly is an even bigger waste of (british taxpayers) money but hey there you go where else would these economic illiterates get 80K odd a year for waving flags at each other
I’m going to contact the LBBC to give some feedback, but I’m not too hopeful.
I wouldn’t be at all hopeful as the broad structure of councils was imposed upon the Boundary Commissioner by legislation. You needed to complain to Arlene Foster 6 months ago.
Anyone have any idea were that leaves the new Belfast council? More Unionists or more Nationalist or still the same?
More or less the same. That’s the point.
EXACTLY -look at the duplication now as councils merge not to mention the overlap with central government. We now only need 1 each of these functions per new council. Keep/enhance the foot soldiers who deliver services drectly to the public get rid of the additional heads of corporate services, leisure, tourism etc.
But Barnshee, that is exactly what WILL happen, and there will STILL be no cost reduction as new functions are assimilated. There is barely any overlap between central and local government in this region, so what is your point? What is it, for God’s sakes?? Have you worked with or for a local authority? Do you have ANY idea what you are talking about????
“But Barnshee, that is exactly what WILL happen, and there will STILL be no cost reduction as new functions are assimilated. There is barely any overlap between central and local government in this region, so what is your point? What is it, for God’s sakes?? Have you worked with or for a local authority? Do you have ANY idea what you are talking about???”
Yep worked as auditor- saw the waste and duplication at first hand
So let’s have it then: what services are provided by local government, that are also provided by central government?
If you think the new council boundaries are plain buck stupid, you should see the preposed ones for the new rationalised education & library boards.
3 zones cut vertually horizontally across the country & Belfast getting bits of Antrim & not getting bits of Down, that make no sense what so ever…. apart from it being politically motivated of course.
So let’s have it then: what services are provided by local government, that are also provided by central government?
Tourism N I toutist board Irish tourist board, Tourism ireland ??
Investment
Examples of the attitude in LG
Was (extenal) auditor at Xmas
Invited to annual dinner. Went naively with colleague went to organiser to pay for dinner, was met with total incredulity. No she says Council pays . Declined invite. After dinner entire staff decampted to “mayors parlour ” and hit the bar big time. Tax payers money disappearing down throats.
Council building needs repaired. Staff convince councilleres to sell and relocate to a caravan park and recreation green where the tenants are all cleared off. Undertakings promised that redevelopment of existing site will keep the public park
Result
Site sold covered in housing– park lost
Palatial building built over recreation area– two green areas lost forever thanks to self agrandissing staff and brain dead councillers busy waving flags at each other.
I could go on for ever.
“Anyone have any idea were that leaves the new Belfast council? More Unionists or more Nationalist or still the same?”
Well bluntly one ward Crumlin abolished in North – PUP seat likely lost on 2005 voting patterns. Five new wards in west, at least four shinners with probably enough SDLP support around Ladybrook Dunmurry for the last seat. Five new wards in south east Belfast: four Unionist with Alliance for the fifth though Sammy knows more about the box figures than me. So on 2005 figures Unionist 28 (+3), Nationalist 27 (+5), APNI 5 (+1).
The commissioner’s claim that political considerations didn’t play apart is about as laughable as some of the boundaries – Dundonald in with Lisburn, Lower Oldpark Road in Waterworks, Newington in Duncairn etc.
I have followed this thread with some interest. I work for a local council and was having a chat about this subject today. We were discussing a potential 10% rise in rates next year.
On the average house in our area it will mean about 35p per week. Yet the local rag will only print the TEN PERCENT RATE RISE SHOCKAH! headline.
In an earlier meeting, a rate payer said something along these lines: “Think about the rates like this: for £400 a year, we will come and take all your rubbish away; we’ll make sure you can go into a cafe in the town and not get poisoned; we’ll make sure there aren’t many dogs running around the street; if you want a swim or to use a gym, we’ll give you a cheap place to do so….” And so he went on.
Have to say it was the first time I’d thought about it in those terms. It might be time for some of the “naysayers” to have a think about that.
By the way barnshee. If that is all you can come up with, give up now.