Outgoing Mayor reflects on a 'difficult' year

Reflecting on his year in office, he said: 'The failure of the Executive to agree a way forward for local government is deeply disappointing to councillors and staff who have been working to prepare for the amalgamation of councils and the integration of Planning and other services next year. Staff are entitled to know what the future holds for their jobs and this seemingly endless period of uncertainty cannot be allowed to continue.'

Speaking at last Tuesday's Annual Meeting at Riada House, he praised the local community on their continuous support and never ending fundraising achievements for various charities. He also passed on condolences and wished those retiring 'all the best'.

Outlining the achievements of his colleagues, Alderman Campbell said he was 'delighted that the Deputy Mayor was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty in recognition of his longstanding contribution to local government'.

He continued: "We had difficult decisions this year to keep rates down in a period of general economic decline and in the face of rising waste disposal and energy costs, reduced income from investments and government grants.

"It is a major challenge for us to continue to provide efficient services to meet customer needs within reduced budgets. The cross-party resources task group continues to look at ways to minimize the increase in rates.

"Despite the difficult financial climate we faced this year we have been able to make provision to progress community projects at Balnamore, Cloughmills, Stranocum, and Ballybogey."

Alderman Campbell also highlighted the opening of the Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden, the 'step forward' of Walking and Cycling Scheme for Town as well as the need for recycling and the forthcoming expansion of the Blue Bin Scheme.

Calling for further new investment and expressing concern over the loss of jobs, he explained: "We are greatly concerned about the extent in recent years of job losses in our manufacturing, construction and public sector. I am pleased that the Economy Minister has agreed to meet us to discuss job losses and the potential for new investment in our borough.

"We have expressed serious concern at the impact on the town, the local economy and local education provision of the Northern Regional College Business Improvement Plan 2010-2016.

"This plan, which is published for consultation, proposes the closure of Ballymoney campus and Coleraine campus to be replaced by a new build in the Coleraine area.

"We are currently considering and consulting on the proposals and will be responding to the College's consultative document."

Raising the issues facing Council he stated: "With confirmation from the Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly that the proposed merger of councils will not take place in 2011, we know with certainty that there will be council elections in May 2011 to the existing 26 councils, probably for a four year term.

"The failure of the Executive to agree a way forward for local government is deeply disappointing to councillors and staff who have been working to prepare for the amalgamation of councils and the integration of Planning and other services next year.

"Staff are entitled to know what the future holds for their jobs and this seemingly endless period of uncertainty cannot be allowed to continue.

"We in Ballymoney have a small rate base to draw upon to meet our costs and that is being further eroded by the recession as businesses and households alike experience reduced income.

"It is likely that the grant council receives from central government will also be squeezed, compounding the difficulty. So a major issue facing the council in the final year of this electoral term is to set an acceptable budget for the first year of the new council.

"Probably the most financially challenging issue facing this council is meeting the every-growing cost of waste treatment."

Concluding he added: "Success in any organization depends primarily on the people who run it. I thank the Members, the Chief Executive, Officers and all staff for their support and their service.

"There are also the many community, voluntary and business organizations and government agencies who work with us to make a valuable contribution to the progress we are able to make during the year. I acknowledge their contribution to our work in developing the borough and to the wellbeing of our citizens.

"I also thank the local press, journalists and photographers, who attend our meetings and events and play a vital role in communicating to our citizens and to the wider community covered by their publications."