New council must have strong EU unit says SF

Banbridge Sinn Féin candidate Kevin Savage has said it is vital that the new Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon Council has a strong European unit which can work with small medium enterprises and the community and voluntary sector to help local citizens benefit economically and socially from the Europe Union.

Mr Savage was speaking after attending an EU funding seminar hosted by Sinn Féin EU candidate Martina Anderson MEP.

“It is clear that the North has a lot of catching up to do when it come a to accessing European funding,” said Mr Savage. “Councils such as Derry and Belfast have invested considerable resources in ensuring that their ratepayers are aware of and are accessing all available EU funding.

“Sinn Féin will ensure that the new Council builds upon the work of Banbridge council and invests in an EU funding branch which will work with and for the business and community sector in accessing funding.

“Whilst as a result of short-sighted decisions by some, EU Funding will be reduced we need to be organised in our approach to accessing that funding. Sinn Féin will be ensuring we are ready in the New council to do just that.”