Greater village regeneration trust wants action, not words - Ekin

12.00.00am GMT Mon 21st Nov 2005

Former Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Ekin has hit out over the failure of government to respond to the frustration of the Greater Village Regeneration Trust.

The Alliance Councillor stated: "Once again an all-party group of democratically elected representatives has had to meet the Greater Village Regeneration Trust with little concrete to report. This is frustrating for us, and even more frustrating for them. What kind of society has a Government which cannot help people to help themselves?

"The Trust's cry from the heart as well as the brain has been, and still is: Why does it take so long to get coordinated action?

"Why do have to sit through report after report telling us what we already know? Why is there no actual action to counter the issue of derelict housing? Why are locals getting no response when they rightly complain about being priced out of the housing market?

"Above all, does anyone really care and does anyone want to do anything positive?

"This is not a party political issue. It is about demanding of government that they take seriously the plight of people, and the representations of those they choose to represent them. There is no excuse for continued lack of action and coordination on the issues the Trust raises."

ENDS