Issue 86 - Belfast BT4 • BT5 • BT16
Translink fares frozen
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that Translink fares will remain unchanged for a second year in a row, despite significant financial pressures across the public transport system.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt with kinship carers. L-R Ruth McGuigan; Scot Hamilton; Anita Montgomery; Thomas Spence; Tracey McGuire; Brenda Slowey; Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Kerrylee Weatherall, Interim Executive Director of Social Work.
NI’s first Kinship Care Celebration Week
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to the compassion and commitment of kinship foster carers at an event marking Northern Ireland’s first Kinship Care Celebration Week. The focus of the week is to recognise and show gratitude to kinship foster carers who provide such positive experiences for the children in their care, often in difficult circumstances. Kinship Care is an arrangement where a child who cannot be cared for by their parents is placed by a
Health & Social Care Trust with a relative or family friend. “Kinship care is a specialised type of care for a child which has unique strengths. It is a fundamental cornerstone of the children’s care system in Northern Ireland,” the Minister said.
“Kinship foster carers open their homes and their lives to children who need safety, stability, and security. You are the relatives, the grandparents, the older siblings, the aunts and uncles, and the close family friends who step up and make a real difference to so many young people in
our community. “This week we want to say a huge thank you for all that you do. You embody the core values of compassion and commitment.”
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The decision comes at a time when households are facing rising fuel and living costs and when public transport continues to play a vital role in helping people get to work, education and essential services. Minister Kimmins said: “In the current context of rising fuel and oil prices, I do not believe it would be right to increase public transport fares and place further pressure on workers and families. Many people rely on buses and trains every day and keeping fares stable helps provide some certainty at a very challenging time.” The Minister acknowledged that the decision was taken
against a difficult funding backdrop: “I am fully aware of the financial pressures facing Translink and the wider public sector. This is an extremely constrained budget environment and there are no easy choices. Freezing fares for a second year has required careful consideration.” Minister Kimmins also stressed that she will continue to engage closely with Translink as the financial situation evolves. She said: “I will keep working with Translink to manage these pressures responsibly and to ensure the best possible services within the funding available.”
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Issue 86 - Support Local
Issue 86 - Support Local
Supplementary planning guidance agreed for historic areas
Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee has agreed two Supplementary Planning Guidance masterplans identifying ‘Development Opportunity Areas’ in the city centre’s Cathedral and Northeast Quarter, and Sailortown, Greater Clarendon and City Quays. The Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) supports and clarifies policies included in council’s Local Development Plan (LDP). It is non-statutory planning guidance, intended to be read in conjunction with the existing planning framework, as a guide to developers, communities and local representatives and to assist in assessing planning proposals. Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee, said: “This is all about guiding the regeneration of key parts of the city. It’s our intention that these SPGs will encourage a greater focus on placemaking and heritage as we seek to attract investment in housing and mixed-use developments to support our Belfast Agenda objectives. They will be material in determining relevant planning applications in both areas and will provide important direction for developers and the wider community about how the Council would like to see these areas developed
in the future. “These documents have been developed with real care and consideration, taking on board public consultation feedback. They provide a clear and comprehensive masterplan approach to the future development of both the Sailortown, Greater Clarendon and City Quays areas and the Cathedral and Northeast quarter of the city
centre – areas which hold great historic significance and exciting potential.” In other business at its meeting this evening, the Planning Committee approved permanent change of use for Common Market in Cathedral Quarter, from warehouse and offices to public house and entertainment venue/events space including a street food market. It also granted
planning permission for the construction of a new three storey Sports Hall, Gymnasium and PE Facility and footbridge connecting to an existing GAA playing field at St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar School on the Glen Road. For more information on the council’s Local Development Plan (LDP), go to www.belfastcity.gov. uk/ldp
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