Executive will fail local people on planning issues

3.14.00pm GMT Fri 16th Nov 2007

Alliance Councillor Ian James Parsley

Alliance Spokesperson Cllr Ian James Parsley has blasted the Executive because it appears they will let local people down by failing to devolve community planning to local government. He said that the Executives power hungry attitude could cost them dearly.

The North Down Councillor said: "It is unbelievable that the Executive cannot see that local government has to take the lead in local planning. Local government must be at the forefront of decisions on the location of our schools, health centres and emergency services.

"We want the best decisions for the people taken as close to the people as possible. It's all about local choices on local services.

"Claims that the expertise doesn't exist locally to make such decisions is absolute nonsense and it is deeply offensive to our local government employees. It's time that important community decisions were taken by the community instead of being taken by bureaucrats with little knowledge of the area.

"The Executive's power hungry attitude will do them absolutely no favours. The Review of Public Administration is a golden opportunity to deliver world class services but it looks like the Executive can only ever deliver disappointment.

"All of the four Executive parties signed up to this farce. They must all take full responsibility and face the criticism for this massive wasted opportunity."

ENDS