War of words over council trip to France

A war of words has erupted between two prominent Unionist councillors on Lisburn City Council after Councillor Ronnie Crawford implied on Facebook that attendance at a conference in Toulouse was an “all expenses paid trip.”
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jul 2013, 19:24 BST
Councillor Ronnie CrawfordCouncillor Ronnie Crawford
Councillor Ronnie Crawford

Mr Crawford questioned the funding of the trip, which, he said, would cost taxpayers £4,500 for the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Committee to attend.

However, Alderman Jim Dillon, the Vice Chairman of the Economic Development Committee dismissed Mr Crawford’s comments, saying he believed the conference would provide valuable information for those attending.

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He also said that if Mr Crawford had been elected as Committee Vice Chairman he would be “first on the plane.”

Writing on Facebook this week Mr Crawford said: “Fancy a five day, all expenses paid trip to Toulose in September? Last night’s Planning Committee agreed to send the chair and vice chairman, along with an officer for the world’s Canal Conference.

“I queried given lack of funding for the Lagan why we should be spending £4500 of ratepayers money but apparently new applications for funding are being made and parts of the conference would be relevant to us. So now you know!”

However, Mr Dillon, responding to the comments, said the conference would not have been proposed by the Council’s Director of Environmental Services, Mr Colin McClintock, if it was not of value.

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“The first I knew about the conference was at the Planning meeting,” said Mr Dillon. “It is a recommendation from Colin McClintock and obviously he thought it was worthwhile or he wouldn’t have recommended it.

“There was no pressure from me or Allan [Ewart, Chairman of Economic Development].

“I have gone to canal conferences in the past and I have gleaned useful information.

“I have no doubt that new funding will be made available for the Lagan and we need to be in a position to use that funding,” continued Mr Dillon.

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“If Ronnie had become Vice Chairman, which he wanted, no doubt he would be first on the plane.

“I haven’t even decided yet whether I will go,” continued Mr Dillon.

“It is not a jolly, no conference is a jolly.

“If Ronnie wants to sit on his hands at home and do nothing then that is up to him,” he concluded.

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