Nicola Grant Workers Party representative has called upon Newry Mourne and Down District Council to share a report on transforming old dumps into green energy sources. The council claiming that the report is commercially sensitive beggars’ belief she says
Nicola continued the council has agreed to engage in forums to share information yet refuse to share a report to convert closed down municipal dumps on the grounds of confidentiality. She went on to state that an issue such as this should be shared as widely as possible. It is an important step in the way forward in the fight to tackle climate change and a means of extending more green and sustainable energy sources. In addition to financially benefiting councils and ratepayers across Northern Ireland.
If other councils across parts of the United Kingdom are sharing the same type of information, why would the council feel their situation on commercial confidentiality should differ? Ratepayers are getting concerned that council committees have a tendency not to share certain information even to their own council colleagues on a wide range of issues.
Nicola concluded this culture of withholding information has to stop. The council has a responsibility to be transparent, open, democratic, in all its decision making. They should be sharing information not only with their own council elected representatives. But also across council areas where there is a benefit to the environment and a financial gain to the council. Which could be a major source of funding, that would benefit the ratepayers and enhance community engagement and fund additional services. The council clearly needs to be reminded that it is not a business. It is a public sector organisation meant to serve the ratepayers.
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 