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14/08/2009
Other NI News In Brief
Straight-Talking Ends
Today is the last day on-air for one of the first local broadcasters to tackle issues of the day at 'grass-roots' level. A BBC NI spokesperson said yesterday: "We can confirm David Dunseith presents his last Talkback on Friday, August 14. Listeners can hear David Dunseith present Seven Days from Sunday, September 6 from 12pm." Wendy Austin takes over the 12noon hot seat on Monday.
See: Dunseith Leaves Talkback In Reshuffle
Ex-Police Trainee Bailed
An incident in the PSNI training college is alleged to have led to the appearance of a former trainee police officer in court charged with indecently assaulting another recruit. Jonathan McNally, 23, is accused in connection with an alleged incident at the PSNI's Garnerville academy. Mr McNally pleaded not guilty at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday. He was released on bail to return to court at a later date.
School Attack Condemned
The Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Carál Ní Chuilín has stated that the recent attack on St Patrick's Barnageeha bear the hallmarks of yet another sectarian attack on the school. "This attack was a deliberate attempt to destroy this school," she said, noting this happened at Whitehouse Primary school. "There is an onus on us all to protect our schools from attacks whether they be sectarian in nature or acts of vandalism and protect our children's right to education. Anyone with information on these attacks should pass it straight to the PSNI," she said.
Planning Delays Cut
Average processing times have fallen for all types of planning applications processed in Northern Ireland over the past year, a new report revealed. The study revealed during 2008/09, 20,469 applications were received and 24,637 applications were decided; a higher output-to-input ratio than in 2007/08. Welcoming the findings contained within the Planning Service's third annual statistical report, NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "The report highlights some areas of significant improvement on the Planning Service PSA targets - particularly around the processing of intermediate type planning applications where the average processing time had been reduced for a consecutive year, from 30 weeks to 23." He also noted the report revealed that the Planning Service met seven out of nine processing targets set in the Agency Business Plan, compared to four out of six in 2007/08.
Rural Development Funding Announced
A £16.7m 'pot' to fund rural development projects has been served up to 100,000 people living in the Armagh, Craigavon and Newry & Mourne council areas. Rural dwellers can apply for a slice of the money to undertake development works that will potentially improve their businesses. Last month saw the first call for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme across the SOAR region - the newly launched Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas Partnership - which is made up of local councillors and community representatives from across the three council areas.
Training Boost For Meat Packers
A Co Tyrone-based supplier of speciality meat products has increased its operational efficiency and sales capability through an Invest NI backed staff training programme. Cloughbane Farm Foods in Pomeroy, near Dungannon, provides a variety of cooked and uncooked meat products, including award-winning mince pies, to retail outlets and foodservice businesses. The skills development programme has enabled staff to improve operations throughout the business, helping the company prepare to ramp up its cross border trade. Invest NI offered £33,940, part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, towards the total project costs of £97,971.
Public Data To Go Online
A pilot scheme to help improve citizen access to a wide range of public information has been launched. Open DataNI aims to increase public access to non-personal public information and data produced by Northern Ireland government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). It initially launches utilising relevant health data for locating doctor surgeries and establishing pharmacy out of hours services. Provision of public transport and leisure data will follow. Speaking at the launch of the website, NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said: "OpenDataNI will improve the way government consults with the public, ensuring that public sector information is made as simple as possible for people to find and use. It will provide useful services to citizens and by presenting data in a highly visual manner, it is anticipated that interaction with information will be far easier than through traditional table-based methods," he said. The pilot initiative can be found online at www.opendatani.info
'Play Time' Planned For Antrim
Authorities in Antrim town have pledged to invest more in providing local recreational areas. The council said it will continue to construct children's play facilities, despite ongoing vandalism in the borough. According to Antrim Council, a new playground at John Street, in Randalstown, will be opened to the public by the autumn. While building work continues in Randalstown, further planning applications have been submitted for similar facilities in Muckamore and Stiles Way in the borough.
Derry Amenity Sites Reopened
Two civil amenity sites have been reopened in Londonderry following a special meeting of city councillors. Facilities at Brandywell and Eglinton were shut down in May as part of a cost saving plan by the local authority. However, Derry councillors have now agreed to reopen both sites, with reduced hours. A spokesperson for the council explained that savings had been found through anticipated reductions in waste tonnage and waste treatment costs against projections for the financial period 2009/10.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Today is the last day on-air for one of the first local broadcasters to tackle issues of the day at 'grass-roots' level. A BBC NI spokesperson said yesterday: "We can confirm David Dunseith presents his last Talkback on Friday, August 14. Listeners can hear David Dunseith present Seven Days from Sunday, September 6 from 12pm." Wendy Austin takes over the 12noon hot seat on Monday.
See: Dunseith Leaves Talkback In Reshuffle
Ex-Police Trainee Bailed
An incident in the PSNI training college is alleged to have led to the appearance of a former trainee police officer in court charged with indecently assaulting another recruit. Jonathan McNally, 23, is accused in connection with an alleged incident at the PSNI's Garnerville academy. Mr McNally pleaded not guilty at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday. He was released on bail to return to court at a later date.
School Attack Condemned
The Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Carál Ní Chuilín has stated that the recent attack on St Patrick's Barnageeha bear the hallmarks of yet another sectarian attack on the school. "This attack was a deliberate attempt to destroy this school," she said, noting this happened at Whitehouse Primary school. "There is an onus on us all to protect our schools from attacks whether they be sectarian in nature or acts of vandalism and protect our children's right to education. Anyone with information on these attacks should pass it straight to the PSNI," she said.
Planning Delays Cut
Average processing times have fallen for all types of planning applications processed in Northern Ireland over the past year, a new report revealed. The study revealed during 2008/09, 20,469 applications were received and 24,637 applications were decided; a higher output-to-input ratio than in 2007/08. Welcoming the findings contained within the Planning Service's third annual statistical report, NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "The report highlights some areas of significant improvement on the Planning Service PSA targets - particularly around the processing of intermediate type planning applications where the average processing time had been reduced for a consecutive year, from 30 weeks to 23." He also noted the report revealed that the Planning Service met seven out of nine processing targets set in the Agency Business Plan, compared to four out of six in 2007/08.
Rural Development Funding Announced
A £16.7m 'pot' to fund rural development projects has been served up to 100,000 people living in the Armagh, Craigavon and Newry & Mourne council areas. Rural dwellers can apply for a slice of the money to undertake development works that will potentially improve their businesses. Last month saw the first call for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme across the SOAR region - the newly launched Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas Partnership - which is made up of local councillors and community representatives from across the three council areas.
Training Boost For Meat Packers
A Co Tyrone-based supplier of speciality meat products has increased its operational efficiency and sales capability through an Invest NI backed staff training programme. Cloughbane Farm Foods in Pomeroy, near Dungannon, provides a variety of cooked and uncooked meat products, including award-winning mince pies, to retail outlets and foodservice businesses. The skills development programme has enabled staff to improve operations throughout the business, helping the company prepare to ramp up its cross border trade. Invest NI offered £33,940, part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, towards the total project costs of £97,971.
Public Data To Go Online
A pilot scheme to help improve citizen access to a wide range of public information has been launched. Open DataNI aims to increase public access to non-personal public information and data produced by Northern Ireland government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). It initially launches utilising relevant health data for locating doctor surgeries and establishing pharmacy out of hours services. Provision of public transport and leisure data will follow. Speaking at the launch of the website, NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said: "OpenDataNI will improve the way government consults with the public, ensuring that public sector information is made as simple as possible for people to find and use. It will provide useful services to citizens and by presenting data in a highly visual manner, it is anticipated that interaction with information will be far easier than through traditional table-based methods," he said. The pilot initiative can be found online at www.opendatani.info
'Play Time' Planned For Antrim
Authorities in Antrim town have pledged to invest more in providing local recreational areas. The council said it will continue to construct children's play facilities, despite ongoing vandalism in the borough. According to Antrim Council, a new playground at John Street, in Randalstown, will be opened to the public by the autumn. While building work continues in Randalstown, further planning applications have been submitted for similar facilities in Muckamore and Stiles Way in the borough.
Derry Amenity Sites Reopened
Two civil amenity sites have been reopened in Londonderry following a special meeting of city councillors. Facilities at Brandywell and Eglinton were shut down in May as part of a cost saving plan by the local authority. However, Derry councillors have now agreed to reopen both sites, with reduced hours. A spokesperson for the council explained that savings had been found through anticipated reductions in waste tonnage and waste treatment costs against projections for the financial period 2009/10.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
