More than 30 community organisations benefit from council funding support

A total of 32 community and voluntary organisations in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area are set to receive £293,469 in council funding – to help build better and more inclusive communities.

The money is being awarded through the council’s Community Facilities Fund as part of its Local Investment Plan 2023/24 and will be used to improve facilities and services.

Councillor Thomas Beckett, Community & Wellbeing Committee Chairman said: “We are proud to support grassroots community and voluntary organisations through this fund. In turn, they will be able to help a diverse range of groups across the cultural, sport, community, education and voluntary sectors.

“The health and wellbeing of the local community is at the heart of these groups. They will use this funding to meet service user needs as well as to improve or increase accessibility at key local facilities.”

The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council,

Councillor Andrew Gowan and Councillor Beckett met with some of those groups which have been awarded money from the Community Facilities Fund. They met representatives from St John’s Parish Church; Sarah Crothers Hall; Ballinderry War Memorial Hall; and the Religious Society of Friends.

Mayor Gowan said: “It was great to hear firsthand from some of the recipients on their plans to provide an improved user experience at a very local level. Without the drive of our community groups to grow and develop we would not be able to support them in their actions. I welcome the diverse range of projects being supported on a balanced basis across the Lisburn & Castlereagh area by this grant fund.”

The groups which received funding from the 2023/24 Community

Facilities Fund are: Anahilt LOL 752; Annahilt Parish Church; Ballinderry Moravian Church; Ballinderry War Memorial Hall; Carr Primary School PTA; Carryduff GAC; Carryduff Play Care Centre; Christ Church Dundonald; Deramore Rehabilitation Association; Dreamscheme NI;

Drumlough True Blues LOL 423; Dundonald Purple Vine LOL; Dungoyne Football Club; Gallwally & Community Heritage Preservation Trust; Glencare Community Group; Hillsborough Community Centre; Hillsborough LOL 288; Lisburn Cathedral; Lisburn Orange Hall; Lisnagarvey Hockey Club; Magheragall Parish Church;

Mencap NI; Old Warren Community Association; Religious Society of Friends; Saintfield Presbyterian Church; Sarah Crothers Centre; St James’s Community Centre; St John’s Church, Moira (Logic Café); St John’s; Parish Church, Dromara; St Patrick’s Church Drumbeg; Summerhill LOL; The Ark Newtownbreda.

Traffic calming measures in place in Glenavy

A week-long programme of traffic-calming measures was recently completed in Glenavy in a bid to improve road safety in the area.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) undertook the programme of works which included the introduction of new speed cushions on the Belfast Road and Gobrana Road and the installation of improved street lighting.

The improvements are part of LCCC’s Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, which is funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

Councillor John Laverty, the Chair of LCCC’s Regeneration and Growth Committee welcomed the work when it began in late July. He said: “Traffic management and speeding have caused serious concerns in the Glenavy area, so it’s great to see the contractor now on site and the work beginning. I’m sure local residents will be both pleased and relieved.”

Gerard Murray, Director of Regional Development at the Department for Communities supported the new road safety measures, saying: “I am delighted that DfC has been able to contribute towards a number of environmental improvement schemes through the Small Settlements Regeneration Programme including improving traffic management in Glenavy. I have no doubt that this investment will make a significant difference to the quality of life for people who live and work in Glenavy whilst also helping to make the village a safer place for pedestrians, cyclists and commuters alike.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure agreed, saying: “The Department recognises the importance of traffic calming and road safety measures and is committed to exploring solutions that deliver better for communities and improves lives. The work currently being undertaken in Glenavy is an example of how the Department can work in partnership with local Councils in achieving this objective”.

Teresa O’Neill, Director of Rural Affairs at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, commented: “It is great that DAERA in partnership with other departments and local councils is providing funding towards the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme and that an element of this funding can go towards these new speed cushions and the installation of street lighting. This will address a significant local rural issue and make Glenavy a safer environment for everyone in the village”.