Cemetery call for Ballycastle and other news

The call came during Tuesday’s meeting of Council’s Environmental Services Committee when discussions took place about a report into consistency of regulations in all graveyards.

Cllr Baird said: “Ballycastle doesn’t have a cemetery and I would like to ask that this issue is included in the report.

“Many churches are having great difficulty now. The town has expanded considerably and this is placing a burden on local churches. Could we do review this to try to achieve the objective of having a cemetery in Ballycastle?”

Cllr George Duddy also raised the matter of the cemetery on Rathlin Island which is “almost full” and asked that this issue also be included in the report.

STREET TRADING

Coleraine councillor Russell Watton has called for clarification on Council’s street trading licences.

He raised the issue at Tuesday’s meeting of Council’s Environmental Services saying there seemed to be a difference between the allocation of street trading licences in Ballymoney and in other council areas.

He gave an example of a person who has traded for 20 years in the local area who has now been told that they can’t trade at band parades or during the Milk Cup. Cllr Alan McLean said he to had been approached by someone similar.

Director of Environmental Services Aidan McPeake said that while it was not appropriate to comment on individual cases, he was preparing a report to bring to members on the issue of street trading licences.

SOLAR PANELS

Causeway Coast and Glens Council is to install solar panels in a number of the authority’s buildings across the Borough.

Members of the Environmental Services Committee heard on Tuesday that a number of buildings have been identified which use a significant amount of electricity: Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney; Ballymoney Town Hall; Drumaheglis Marina; Riada House,Ballymoney; Sheskburn House,Ballycastle; Roe Valley Leisure Centre, Limavady; Limavady Council Offices; Benone Tourist Complex, Benone; Limavady Town Hall.

Cllr George Duddy stressed that Council’s estate strategy should be completed before any panels were installed in particular buildings. It was agreed to proceed with the amendment.