Alliance slams Minister's decision on NEELB

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 2nd May 2005

Newtownabbey Council candidate Lynn Frazer has slammed a decision to remove Council nominees from the North Eastern Education and Library Board as of 9 May.

Cllr Frazer, defending her seat in the University Electoral Area, stated: "The Minister agreed that, at this difficult time, continuity was essential for the Board.

"Yet now it has been decided that Council nominees will be withdrawn from the Board, meaning a loss of experience and a return to piecemeal decision-making rather than thinking of the long-term interests.

"If the Board is to continue until the final outcome of the Review of Public Administration is known, it would make sense for the current Board to continue its work and oversee whatever handover is required.

"This decision means more stop-start thinking. It is yet another example of why Alliance's proposals for devolution should be given a mandate by the people, so that leisure facilities and children's welfare are not harmed by unaccountable decision makers."

ENDS