Responding to complaints that Newry Mourne and Down District Council has once again refused to answer questions or release information on how much it cost to carry out the repairs on the swimming pool in Newry or who is paying for them.
Nicola said this information should be a matter of public record and ratepayers should be told who is responsible for the payment. Ratepayers have already been shortchanged because of the length of time the pool was unavailable for use. Some residents have been talking about using a freedom of information request to access these details.
Nicola said it is an absolute disgrace that ratepayers feel compelled to even contemplate taking such actions to receive information that they should be entitled to unfortunately there seems to be a pattern emerging with this council who have developed a tendency to withhold information from the press the public and more importantly the ratepayers they are elected to serve and represent.
She went on to say the Workers Party believes it is now time for a review of the legislation the council relies on to withhold information or go into confidential sessions without debate or objections. We should no longer be prepared as ratepayers to tolerate this level of secrecy from a public body that is supposed to serve the interests of the public not continuously refuse to release information by using the catch all “commercial confidentiality” routine . Elected representatives must be aware that the ratepayers are becoming increasingly annoyed at their behaviors and believe this is not how a democratic public authorities should operate.
Nicola concluded the Workers Party is calling on the council to be open and transparent with their constituents and the ratepayers who fund and elect them to serve their interests and the communities interests.
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 