Politicians go on the record as residents organise for action

TEN elected representatives from four parties have now put their positions on the public record in response to Newry People's Forum's report on the issues residents say matter most to the city's future.

Residents packed the Canal Court Hotel on 8 October to discuss the future of the city. The Forum then sent the full report to every councillor and MLA representing Newry and asked each of them to respond in writing by Thursday, October 29.

Brian Cleland, Chairperson of Newry People's Forum, said: "The people of Newry have made their views clear, and representatives from four parties have now responded on the record. There is significant common ground on the issues residents care about most.

But support is not the same as delivery. Residents are now organising in working groups to keep up the pressure, and the priority will be turning politicians' support into specific actions with dates. We will report back to the public on whether those commitments are kept."

Responses have been received from: Alliance: Cllrs Helena Young, Jill Truesdale, David Lee-Surginor and Tierna Howie, DUP: Cllr Henry Reilly and Gareth Wilson MLA, SDLP: Cllrs Killian Feehan and Doire Finn, and Justin McNulty MLA, UUP: Cllr David Taylor.

The responses show clear cross-party common ground. Every party that responded addressed Daisy Hill Hospital, the canal and waterfront, events, planning, council transparency, city centre dereliction, parking and public transport.

Sinn Féin has told the Forum it will respond ‘in due course’ The Forum will publish its response in full when it is received.

A follow-up meeting at the Canal Court Hotel, which took place last week, set up six working groups to drive action on the report's priorities:

Business

Canal and Waterfront

Festivals and Events

City Centre Regeneration

Children and Young People

Accountability and Transparency

Each group will meet elected representatives in the coming weeks to press for action on its priorities, and will report to the Forum's committee. The Forum will now ask every party to turn its support into specific actions with clear timescales, and will track and publish progress against each commitment.