THE merger between Down and Newry and Mourne councils was discussed at last week’s meeting of the Drumaness SDLP branch.
Both councils will merge as part of sweeping changes proposed as a result of the review of public administration which will see the number of district councils in the Province slashed from 26 to 11.
Councillor Patsy Toman said in the run-up to the merger in 2015 and in the interests of the district’s ratepayers, a committee has been set up involving politicians and officials from both Down and Newry and Mourne councils, with the focus on collaboration and tighter control in major areas of expenditure.
The Ballynahinch councillor also revealed that the East Border Region Committee has invested £5m pounds in the area, describing the investment as “particularly good news for the tourist industry.”
Also at the recent branch meeting, Councillor Anne McAleenan reported that Down Council has agreed to join forces with the Down Rural Area Partnership to fund essential improvements to the mill dam in Drumaness.
She also confirmed the Rivers Agency has approved proposed changes to the dam and welcomed progress on the provision of a new footpath linking the Linen Mill Court housing development to the village’s filling station. Councillor McAleenan said she hopes the new path will be provided as soon as possible in the interests of pedestrian safety.
Branch secretary, Brian Rooney, turned to the drive for a new by-pass in Ballynahinch and revealed when he married in 1958 and moved to Croob Park, the town was on the up with new housing estates, thriving local factories, markets and shops.
“MP Brian Faulkner was promising a new by-pass ‘as soon as money becomes available’ and, as we all know, the many expensive by-pass plans since then have only benefited many consultants,” he said.
“Further neglect, with relegation to a dormitory catchment area for workers commuting to Belfast, Ballynahinch then steadily declined. Like the end of the rainbow, the promised by-pass is still as far away as ever, but there are some other hopeful signs of regeneration.”
Drumaness branch officials say the recent opening of the SDLP advice centre at Windmill Street in Ballynahinch has been a success. Open daily until 1pm contact details are (028) 9756 6759 or e-mail ballynahinch@sdlp.ie