Alderman Ewart needs to be proactive

Firstly, the Bank of England estimate the rate of inflation for 2012 at 1.7% (I quoted January as 3.5% as shot across his bows) but the Council are happy to use December 2011 figure of 4.2% to try and persuade us how wonderful they are. Maybe the relevant committee ought to reconvene.

Secondly, public sector wages have been frozen for two years now and if employees had been awarded a 3% increase then the rates would have gone up by around 7%.

If pride goes before a fall then the DUP cannot flag up Lisburn without also drawing light on their flagship Council of Castlereagh – a rise of just under 6%.

As vice chairman of the Council’s Economic Committee and Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management Committee I would have expected Mr. Ewart to show some contrition and understanding in his letter.

In both roles he has failed to stop the blight of shop closures due to high rates and parking problems and he should make way for someone who has a better understanding of the problems faced by our city centre traders.

To conclude can we expect identification of all councillors who hold quango posts and their remittances?

Philip McNeill

Lisburn