Sinn Fein and DUP told to take difficult decisions or step aside - Ekin

2.57.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Jul 2006

Alliance Belfast Councillor, Tom Ekin

Former Belfast Lord Mayor, Cllr Tom Ekin, has hit out at the DUP and Sinn Fein, as he believes that they lack the courage to take difficult decisions on planning and rates.

The Balmoral Alliance Councillor stated: "I am bombarded with constituents' worries about the increasing number of apartment blocks with totally inadequate parking facilities.

"People have contacted me because they are annoyed about the total lack of understanding surrounding the need for speeding up parking controls in residential areas and the ruination of these areas due to the proliferation of houses of multiple occupancy and apartment blocks.

"Constituents are also concerned about rates relief being granted to landlords who have ruined the residential areas.

"Another problem is that rates are being imposed on newly-built business premises without occupiers, in deprived inner-city areas.

"Almost daily we hear of yet more costly governmental/bureaucratic incompetence and waste.

"Are Sinn Fein and the DUP addressing planning and rates problems? Or are they passing the buck so that others can be blamed?

"Many of these issues could be dealt with by using leadership and a practical and business-like approach to legislating.

Cllr Ekin concluded: "I suggest that Sinn Fein and the DUP get a move on with solving these problems or move aside and let parties with progressive policies and a practical approach to decision-making sort out the mess."

ENDS