Speeches on Local Government and reform in Northern Ireland Assembly. Politics news by former Green Party MLA and North Down Councillor Brian Wilson (Bangor NI).
Northern Ireland Assembly, 09 March 2011, Private Members’ Business I declare an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council in addition to my role as an MLA. I assure the House that I will not stand for election to the Assembly in May, but I hope to return to the council. In fact, I am in […]
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill: Final Stage Read More »
Assembly, Local Government
Northern Ireland Assembly, 14 December 2010 The Planning Bill is probably the most important Bill to come before the Assembly, as it will affect all planning decisions for decades to come. To develop our economy, we need a new planning system, as the present system is not fit for purpose. No one is happy with the
Planning Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Local Government, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 3o June 2010 I declare an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council. Like other Members, I welcome the Bill as it addresses many of the problems that face councillors on a day-to-day basis. It will increase the powers of councillors and bring them into line with district councils inGreat Britain.
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Green Issues, Local Government, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, 01 June 2010 The report’s most important aspect is its recommendation that the Assembly should appoint its own commissioner of standards, who would be independent and not subject to any political pressure. At present, there is widespread public concern at the actions of politicians, and that was highlighted again last week by
Code of Conduct / Assembly Commissioner for Standards Read More »
Assembly, Local Government
Northern Ireland Assembly, 27 April 2010 I declare an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council. I welcome the Bill. It provides an opportunity to modernise the financial framework under which local government operates and should have been introduced years ago. In my 30 years as a local councillor, I have always felt frustrated
Local Government (Finance) Bill: Second Stage Read More »
Assembly, Finance, Local GovernmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, 01 February 2010 I ask the Minister of the Environment if he will take action to expedite the adoption of the Belfast metropolitan area plan. (AQO 678/10) Edwin Poots (DUP) The public inquiry into the Belfast metropolitan area plan (BMAP) concluded in May 2008, and prior to completing its report and making recommendations to the Department,
Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan BMAP (AQO) Read More »
Assembly, Local Government, Planning / EnvironmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, Monday 21 May 2007, Private Members’ Business Mr B Wilson: No Member will disagree with the aims of the motion. The present backlog of planning applications is unacceptable. However, we must examine why it came about and how it might be resolved. Most importantly, we must ensure that any action taken will not lead
Processing of Planning Applications (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Local Government, Planning / EnvironmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, Tuesday 15 May 2007, Private Members’ Business Mr B Wilson: That this Assembly notes the introduction of unfair changes to the rating system, and calls upon the Department of Finance and Personnel to conduct a full review of the new system, including in particular, consideration of further income-related reliefs and a full income-based system. I
Review of New Rating System (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Finance, Local Government