Community issues to be discussed at Portstewart meeting

RESIDENTS are invited to a public meeting arranged by the members of Portstewart Community Forum in the Minor Town Hall, Portstewart, on Monday, April 26 at 7.30pm.

Topics on the agenda have relevance to most of the residents of the town and it is hoped that they will turn out to voice their concerns and hear of possible solutions to problems.

In the recent past Portstewart has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons and the image which the town has enjoyed as being a safe, friendly family resort, is being eroded.

Therefore the meeting will consider the problem of on street and underage drinking - why it seems to be increasing and what can be done to discourage it.

One of the most important items on the agenda will be that of Social Housing.

“We need to consider whether the needs of locals are being properly catered for and if not, what can be done,” a spokesperson said.

“The topic of empty houses will also be raised. It is hard to justify allowing significant numbers of houses to remain empty and free from rates whilst waiting lists for social housing remains unacceptably high and families have difficulty finding a place to live.”

There will also be an update on the scaffolding on the corner of The Diamond and Lever Road and the right of way at the Diamond.

If you have concerns about drinking and antisocial behaviour in the town; if you are on the waiting list for social housing; if you are older and your children cannot afford to live here and give you support; if you are fed up with the empty properties around you and the impact they have on your area and the value of your property; do come along to the meeting. Everyone welcome.