Mid and East Antrim: Council backing for taskforce 'to bring forward strategic action plan for each town'
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has backed a motion calling for a town centre taskforce to be established locally.
The motion was proposed by Coast Road DUP Councillor Andrew Clarke at a council meeting, which was held in The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday evening, seconded by his party colleague Larne Lough Cllr Gregg McKeen.
Speaking at the meeting of the local government authority, Cllr Clarke said: “I feel passionate about our town centres and that we should be giving it everything. They are important in terms of jobs. They are places where people meet, visitors come. We should leave no stone unturned in bringing people together to try to revitalise them.”
He added: “Much of council’s rates come from our local town centres. A taskforce will aim to bring forward a strategic action plan for each town.”
Cllr McKeen said that a town centre taskforce would be built on working together with the expertise of organisations including Ballymena Bid, Larne Business Forum and Carrickfergus Enterprise.
“This is about protecting the future of our town centres. There is unprecedented pressure being faced from online businesses. This taskforce would allow us to take pro-active steps to improve and try to work with businesses to try to stop the decline. It is really about future-proofing our high streets.”
Cllr McKeen emphasised the need to have a clear picture of what is going on to enable informed decisions to be made “based on real evidence and the need to look at a long-term plan as well as a short-term fix”.
Ballymena Alliance Cllr Jack Gibson welcomed the motion saying that it is “another example of the strength of ideas that exists within business organisations within the borough”. Braid Sinn Fein Cllr Archie Rae said that the proposed new taskforce should be “action-led”.
Overhead Costs
Carrickfergus TUV Cllr David Clarke commented that “overhead costs are crippling businesses” noting a community shop run by church volunteers in Greenisland has closed due to the cost of “overheads”.
He expressed concern that a town centre taskforce could become “another level of bureaucracy” and asked for reassurance that it would take meaningful action and about the time-frame involved.
Ballymena Independent Cllr Rodney Quigley said: “If this is just a talking shop, it will be no good. Retailers out there are suffering. We need action now not a talking shop.”
He also expressed concern over how Ballymena Bid (Ballymena Improvement District) could be affected. “There needs to be a clear strategy and direction,” he stated.
In November of last year, businesses in Ballymena town centre voted for a third term of the initiative which they believe will have a “continued focus on supporting local businesses, marketing the town centre and enhancing the experience for residents and visitors”.
Knockagh DUP Cllr Marc Collins said: “I think our town centres need as much support as they can get.” He highlighted concern over the Conservation Area in Carrickfergus.
Braid TUV Cllr Matthew Warwick commented: “It is not a one cap fits all approach. They are very different town centres. Each town has different problems. Any approach needs to be sympathetic to that and to not trample over the good work that has already been done such as Ballymena Bid.”
Party colleague Ballymena Cllr Matthew Armstrong said that he was supportive of the motion adding: “It is just a matter of striking an appropriate balance. We are also still managing to attract some businesses into the town.”
Litter Bins
He noted that actions such as emptying litter bins can make towns more attractive. He emphasised the need to “keep a positive outlook on the situation”.
Larne Lough Ulster Unionist Cllr Roy Beggs stated that Mid and East Antrim’s vacancy rate needs to be tackled. He indicated that businesses are suffering from increasing costs as well as pressure from online retailers. He spoke of the need to look at which grants are available from Stormont departments.
“We do not have a magic money tree but an overly expensive capital expenditure programme in place. There is no provision for further commitment. We are already ‘maxed’ out,” he remarked.
Coast Road Sinn Fein Cllr James McKeown commented that a change in approach by the council is needed. He pointed out that hospitality industries have suffered in recent years and there is a need to support businesses on the coast.
Carrickfergus Castle DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE stated: “We need this to be a talking shop. We need to get the issues out on the table. This is the first time I have heard a discussion about town centres of any quality. We need to get this up and running.”
He pointed out that Carrick’s Conservation Area has affected businesses in the town. “We have to do something. We can’t just sit here,” he added.
Larne Lough Alliance Ald Robert Logan suggested that engaging with Stormont departments at an early stage.
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Jackson Minford recommended that the views of local young people should be taken into consideration.
Cllr Andrew Clarke added: “This is a difficult issue, a multi-faceted issue. The alternative is to do nothing. We need to take our lead from the business community. There is great benefit to bringing people together and pooling resources.”
Elected members agreed to back the motion. The proposal will be returned to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a final decision.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter