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Hope for a 'love-in mode' amongst Councillors might just have come to pass at last night's monthly meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
In his introductory remarks Council Chairperson, Cllr Michael Savage welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the year saying "First of all members, I'd like to wish you a very happy and prosperous new year. As we head into the new year I've no doubt everybody will be in love-in mode as we head towards the next election. We will start in that spirit tonight and see how it goes."
The one agenda item that had the capacity to stop the 'love-in' before it even began was a notice of motion complaining about funding cuts by the Education Authority. It was eventually passed unanimously after a lengthy 25 minute conversation between Councillors. Mournes Councillor Michael Rice had put forward the motion entitled 'Funding cuts by the Education Authority' which spoke of the devastating impact of cuts to youth providers and called on the EA to scrap plans to cut youth services, While there was widespread agreement on the sentiment of the motion it was the second last paragraph that proved a hot topic of debate. It read 'This council further calls on the DUP to get back to work around the Executive table with the other parties to get locally elected ministers in place and support the public against British Government budget cuts.'
Unsurprisingly the DUP felt they couldn't support the motion. Cllr Callum Bowsie speaking on behalf of the DUP at his first council meeting after being co-opted wanted it removed but proposed replacing it with a counter dig at Sinn Féin! Cllr Bowsie said. "Regarding the motion I think it's fairly amenable apart from the dig at the DUP in the last paragraph so I would amend removing the last paragraph and adding the following - 'This Council is disappointed that the Sinn Féin Finance Minister failed to make education a priority in his draft budget which among other things resulted in the majority of other parties in the executive refusing to that budget. This council firmly believes that education should be a priority in any future executive and calls on all parties to support this position." This produced chants of 'here here' and other comments to which Council Chairperson, Cllr Michael Savage joked "Bit of order Cllr Reilly, we haven't brought cheerleaders into the council just yet."
The Chairperson in one of those moments when you knew the answer before you ask the question then said "Cllr Rice, you prepared to accept that amendment". Unsurprisingly Cllr Rice said a simple "no" and the amendment fell with 7 for and 29 against.
Slieve Gullion Councillor Pete Byrne then spoke on the motion at length adding "I'm disappointed that the level the parties have put in to this motion is to hone in on the last line of political parties. I think that's disgraceful and if the young people were listening to this and the laughing across the chamber, and add in DUP and add in Sinn Féin, they'd be horrified". He then proposed an amendment adding "We further ask the Education Authority that in the absence of the set budget that maximum flexibility is shown to successful applicants regarding expenditure across budget headings". The amendment was accepted.
Cllr David Taylor explained that it was an extremely serious issue that needed addressed and explained that he had no issue with the vast majority of the motion but that he had an issue with the petty political nature of the motion. "It's frustrating, the motion itself if the petty politics were taken out of it and the hypocrisy that's attached to it, without sounding like a broken record, we sat without government for three years because of Sinn Féin taking a position that led to issues in education, health, economy etc being affected in the same way. But if we could get some unanimity tonight on this motion I would appeal to Cllr Rice to take out that last paragraph so that we can send a united message as a council that we have serious concerns about the cuts that are potentially ahead of us on this issue."
Cllr Rice replied "Well if that's in the interest of getting unity across tonight's council then I will accept taking it out".
Cllr Tinnelly expressed his delight adding "The last paragraph was very much diminishing the motion but for a Unionist it's the only thing they see in the motion. Lets be honest, we've metaphorically kicked big Henry and big Glynn about the chamber for the past 3 or 4 months and it has had absolutely no effect and I'm not sure if that wording had stayed in tonight it would have been any different."
Without any disenting voices the motion passed, the meeting ended and with the' love-in' put on ice till the next meeting the Chairperson concluded "There you are now, my optimism at the start of the meeting wasn't misplaced. We are in for a happy new year"
Notice of Motion - Funding Cuts by the Education Authority
Notice of Motion received from Councillor Rice with Cllr Byrne amendment.
This Council recognises the potential for devastating funding cuts by the Education Authority on youth services;
We accept that the impact of these cuts will be devastating for youth providers, for youth services and ultimately for young people across this council area. Youth groups are already under immense pressure and further cuts will have a detrimental impact that will be felt for years to come;
It has been extremely disappointing in the manner in which these matters have been communicated to youth service providers and service users. The lack of clarity and effective communication has meant that Youth Groups have been left in limbo wondering what the outcome of these cuts will have on the services they can provide for our young people;
This Council commits to writing to the Education Authority urging them to scrap any plans which cut youth services in Newry Mourne & Down.
We further ask the Education Authority that in the absence of the set budget that maximum flexibility is shown to successful applicants regarding expenditure across budget headings
We request a special council meeting with EA to discuss cuts and share opposition to any further cuts
