castlereagh

Day 1 in Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: already a leap forward in transparency #lccclive

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on April 1, 2015, 11:37 pm | Readers 1863

Something wasn’t quite right when I sat down in the council chamber in Lagan Valley Island Centre this morning. In fact, plural: somethings plural weren’t right. The first change was that the laminated cards saying no mobile phones or electronic equipment were no longer sitting on top of every chair in the public gallery. It was okay to take photographs before the council session began but strictly no photos, videos or audio recording once the council was in session. But …

Castlereagh South, Sinn Fein and the new Girl on the block

Bangordub on May 20, 2014, 10:03 am | Readers 726

I had an interesting conversation recently with the Sinn Fein candidate for Castlereagh South, Nuala Toman. Being honest, I was hoping for an insight into Sinn Fein strategy for the forthcoming elections and, perhaps, a snappy line that I might use as a headline for this article to engage readers. What I got was a smart, friendly, local political candidate who surprised me with her knowledge, intelligence and experience, and disarmed me somewhat with her candour and focus on the …

Could new councils be more transparent from the start? Pickles, Castlereagh & a journalist ejected for tweeting

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on November 14, 2013, 12:16 pm | Readers 146

In England … Local government secretary Eric Pickles issued a guide in June to remind English local authorities that under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 they must allow the public to film and record meetings. He said: Every decision a council takes has a major impact on the lives of local people so it is crucial that whenever it takes a significant decision about local budgets that affect local communities whether it …

Castlereagh Borough Council hurriedly accept the Deloitte report’s recommendations (updated)

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on August 26, 2011, 11:00 am | Readers 66

Three months after the draft Deloitte report was presented to Castlereagh Borough Council on 26 May, the final version was discussed during a private session of the council last night. This morning’s radio bulletins seemed to have gone all West Country with frequent mentions of “luvver” as the reports’ conclusions and political reaction was discussed. Castlereagh Council curtly answered an FOI in May asking for a copy of the report with wording that was believable (though fell far short of …

Castlereagh’s Deloitte report clears Iris Robinson

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on May 26, 2011, 11:11 pm | Readers 49

The Deloitte report into the awarding of the Lock Keeper’s Inn contract to Kirk McCambley was delivered to Castlereagh Borough Council tonight and gave everyone concerned – Iris Robinson, as well that of other councillors and council officers – a clean bill of health. After the private meeting of council, the DUP’s Jimmy Spratt said: Iris Robinson has been totally exonerated and that is very clear … There is absolutely no criticism of her at any point throughout the report. …

Welcome to our new and urbane tribalist politics…

Mick Fealty on May 13, 2011, 8:40 am | Readers 10

Interesting thoughts from Brian Feeney on Hearts and Minds last night. He pretty much suggested that the two smaller parties had reduced roles in the new dispensation, and they should think themselves lucky to have that much. Interesting because, by and large, it’s true. Why? Because, since the St Andrews Agreement, gaining or keeping the office of First Minister can now be flagged up as the only thing that matters. Theoreticians tell us it doesn’t matter. The voters seem not to agree. …

Castlereagh Council fails to keep their promise to publish council minutes online

Alan Meban (Alan in Belfast) on January 5, 2011, 12:00 pm | Readers 22

I experienced a sense of déjà vu when I browsed across to the minutes section of Castlereagh Borough Council’s website. It was only in the aftermath of the Iris Robinson / Lock Keeper’s Inn cafe revelations this time last year that Castlereagh reversed its previous policy and started to publish its minutes online. I’ve blogged over on Alan in Belfast about Castlereagh’s online presence quite a few times over the past years. The council put out a press release on …