Barbour hits out at plans to downsize Planning

Cllr Barbour joined Planning staff and managers at County Hall on Thursday lunchtime to protest against the cuts.“Many of the young professionals who previously saw a good career ahead of them were sombre as the sudden news leaked into public that Minister Poots is now involved in forcing the redeployment of up to 270 staff into other areas of service.

“This was the same Minister who said in May 2009 that it was essential to retain the appropriate level of experienced staff to both facilitate economic recovery and support it as it occurs.

“I am not aware of local government being asked to comment or make recommendations and they are the people who work closely with Town and Country Planning.

“I just wonder about the political spin attacking national leaders about possible ‘cuts’ when we have regional government forcing a form of rationalisation that will dismantle a highly skilled profession. Surely this is a vote of no confidence in the hope that the economy will begin to improve enough to create additional demand?

“I understand the workload is still quite high and staff wonder what analysis was conducted to promote such behaviour by regional government. Our staff are not Northern Rock or other failing banks, they have a good history of covering their costs and for the first time faced some difficulties. Why are they being treated in such a fashion?”

Cllr Barbour called on everyone to support the Planning Department - whether or not they agree with many planning decisions.

“I do not think that if planning was weakened we would create a much better built heritage. Coleraine Borough Council successfully prevented drastic cuts in the Inland Revenue so I hope we are given the opportunity to defend the local careers of Town and Country Planners,” he said.