Certainty over Council merger is needed says Chief Executive

Speaking at the monthly meeting, Mr Norman Davidson said that with a serious question mark hanging whether or not the merger would take place in 2011, staff needed to know what is happening one way or another.

Speaking to the Councillors he said: "Officers do want an announcement - is it going ahead or is it not?" He made a plea to the MLAs in the Council to speak to the Minister Edwin Poots, so officers have certainty. "We want a statement one way or the other as soon as possible" he said.

Councillor Trevor Lunn expressed his sympathy to the staff "in case their hard work has been a waste of time" and acknowledged the vast amount of work being done by them. He said: "I don't see much progress."

He continued: "I am absolutely certain the Minister is waiting until May 7 (after the election) to make an announcement."

Chairman of the joint Lisburn-Castlereagh Transition Committee, Councillor Jonathan Craig MLA said he would be speaking with Mr Poots and thanked the Chief Executives and the officers for all their hard work. He said that there has been huge leaps forward recently but agreed that indecision was not helping the staff.

"I do agree indecision does not help the staff."

Alderman Jim Dillon said that he "unfortunately couldn't share Mr Craig's optimism.

Councillor Paul Givan expressed his opinion that delivering efficiency is what is most important. "We shouldn't be too hasty," he said. "We don't want to lose local identity. So if we don't get efficiency what is the point? It is important to get it right - wait and see."