Nicola Grant Workers Party representative once again calls on Newry Mourne & Down District Council to shelve plans to build a new Civic Centre. She said given the levels of debts and financial liabilities the council has accumulated of £91.7million it would not be financially prudent to continue with this vanity project.
In recent years the council has faced significant financial pressures, for the 2023/24 fiscal year, the council planned to make £11.6 million in savings, being 17.2% of the net budget. This proposal led to concerns from trade unions about potential negative impacts on staffing and services to the ratepayers. Despite financial constraints the council continues to invest in capital projects none of which benefits ratepayers who are again faced with increased rates.
Nicola finished by saying nowhere in the capital projects is there any sign of the promised park that would be beneficial to the entire community of Newry , the council justified rates increases by saying they are needed to balance service provision with financial efficiency, to ensure the council can deliver essential services while managing its debt responsibly.
The ratepayers are unimpressed by these claims of fiscal responsibility while the council refuses to scrap the proposed new Civic Centre which is neither wanted nor needed. Ratepayers want projects and services that helps the entire population not white elephants and vanity projects.
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CLANRYE NEWS 