Total support for Masterplan funds motion

Presented to last Monday night’s meeting of the local authority at Ardeevin by Cllr Maurice Mills, it read: “While Ballymena Borough Council notes the publication of the Ballymena Town Centre Masterplan in April, 2009, by the Department for Social Development (DSD), we are concerned that DSD has not put in place the funding streams for many of the actions in the plan. The Council, therefore, calls on the Minister, Margaret Ritchie, to provide clarity around her Department’s funding plans for Ballymena Town regeneration for the coming year and, indeed, for the duration of the Masterplan”.

Addressing the forum, Mr Mills added: “In keeping with Northern Ireland, Ballymena needs help to attract inward investment...it is recognised as the hub of the North East region”.

Mr Mills said such help was particularly needed at the present time to support local commerce in their fight “against the ravages of the economic downturn which some believe will impact for the next two to five years.

“We feel in this town, at this given point, neglected,” added the Councillor whose motion found a ready seconder in Cllr Paul Frew.

Support was also quickly forthcoming from Cllr Declan O’Loan who said that due to DSD capital spend budget deficits “urban regneration is severely pressed and it’s not going to get any better next year, in fact it’s going to get worse”.