NIE and Ballymoney Council to meet over storm disaster

NORTHERN Ireland Electricity and Ballymoney Borough Council are to discuss the havoc caused by the recent storms.

Believed to be the worst weather conditions in over 60 years, the blizzards left scores of residents throughout north Antrim without electricity, water and heat for days on end.

During last Wednesday's Full Council meeting, members expressed their sincere gratitude to the many people who helped others during their 'hour of need' stating 'it was great community spirit'.

The Chief Executive explained: "On Thursday, April 1 following requestings from councillors to provide assistance to citizens affected by the extended loss of electricity supplies, the Emergency Planning Team met, reviewed the situation and decided to open an assistance centre at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.

"This would allow people to spend some time in a warm environment as well as giving access to showers and hot food. The centre was also equipped to provide for those wishing to stay overnight.

"Later the same evening, following an offer by NIE to provide a generator for the Millennium Centre in Loughgiel, the management of that facility agreed to open an assistance centre there also. Both centres remained open until Sunday night, when NIE confirmed that all customers were back on supply.

"Around 1,000 meals were provided at the Millennium Centre and some 200-300 at the Leisure Centre. One family stayed overnight in the Leisure Centre.

"I would like to thank various people and organisations for their support and assistance. Firstly the Council staff involved, from all three departments, who worked after hours and over the bank holiday weekend.

"Secondly the statutory and voluntary agencies including the Health Trust, NIE, British Red Cross and Community Rescue.

"Thirdly, the manager, staff and volunteer from the Millennium Centre; this was an excellent example of a community helping itself, supported by statutory and voluntary agencies.

"Fourthly Tesco for supplying food, Basil Knipe for providing a TV for the Council's assistance centre and Cllr Tom McKeown for installing it.

"Finally, NIE for meeting the cost of the meals provided and the media for helping us to get out the message during the power cuts.

"A more detailed report will be provided to the Health and Environmental Services committee later in the month."

In response all councillors wished to be associated with the comments.

Alderman Frank Campbell continued: "We had a lot of trouble over the weekend however we over came the problems very well thanks to a great community spirit. I would especially like to thank Mr Dempsey for setting up the emergency plan, Cllr Anita Cavlan for her hard work at the Millennium Centre as well as Elizabeth Johnston for keeping me and the press in touch with what was happening."

Cllr Evelyne Robinson also expressed her praised: "I would also like to record thanks to the staff at both institutions for their effort and time. It was great to see the whole community coming and working together."

Cllr Anita Cavlan said: "A number of people carried out a lot of work on the ground. I would like to thank Angela O'Hagan, Natasha Magee, the Red Cross as well as the Search and Rescue Team. All staff came in voluntary when it was meant to be their Easter break.

"Great work was also given from Council officials including the Chief Executive, Brian Edgar and Elizabeth Johnston as well as many others."

Agreeing with everyone's comments Cllr Daithi McKay called for compensation: "Council played a very effective role and the NIE also did their utmost to restore electricity to homes. However what about compensation? Hundreds of pounds was lost as freezers defrosted, pipes burst etc and farmers suffered great loss with lambs and crops.

"I know this was an extreme event, however people should get some compensation if not from NIE then from the Executive."

Backing the call Cllr Mervyn Storey proposed that members invite NIE to Council. He stated: "We need to look at ways we could have improved what happened and look at any deficiencies.

"Over the next few days there is going to be a meeting higher up with the regulator and NIE to discuss the issue of compensation. However I feel it would be useful if we invited NIE representatives to a Council meeting to discuss our problems and look at why particular poles and locations were so badly effected. We need to learn lessons from this."

Concluding Mr Dempsey stated that the 'NIE had already indicated that they wanted to come to Council' adding: "They have asked us to do a debriefing with all those involved before they come."