Here is your chamber round-up of the month from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Council chambers in Newry, Mourne and Down this month heard concerns for children’s safety around scramblers and E-Scooters as well as dogs running on the loose.
Builders for a huge watersports plan in Co Armagh also came at a time when councillors made a proposal for safe cold water swimming in Co Down.
Also in the month of May plans for a city centre drive-thru located on site of Newry’s new £23m theatre were signed off by the planning committee without further scrutiny in chambers.
Here is your latest round up of council matters for the month of May
Council to tackle ‘scourge’ of scramblers and E-scooters amid fatality and drug run concerns
A NI council is to crack down on the illegal use of scramblers due to public safety fears and the sinister use of youths for “drug runs” in the district.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy committee approved a strategy to tackle the “scourge” of off-roaders, including E-scooters and quad bikes.
New joint patrols of PSNI officers and community volunteers could look to confiscate the vehicles in order to prevent a further fatal tragedy such as that of Dublin teenager Grace Lynch earlier this year.
Children ‘frightened’ by dogs on the loose
A Co Down park could gain its own dog safe space amid “major concern” children are playing in pets’ mess.
The move comes as residents also report kids and older people “frightened” by dogs on the loose at Downpatrick’s Dunleath playing fields.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy communities committee agreed to consider a dedicated exercise area for owners to let their pets off lead.
Pilot scheme proposed for winter cold water swimming at Blue Flag beach
A Co Down Blue Flag beach is set to be officially opened to cold water swimmers this winter as a health boosting benefit.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy communities committee approved a proposal to engage with a health trust to promote the benefits of an unseasonal plunge.
However, cost concerns have been raised due to the need for staff, showers and changing rooms outside of the more popular summer period.
NI city set for drive-thru restaurant at new £23m theatre
A Newry family business is to complete a “Beau Arts” development linked to the city’s new £23m theatre.
The Sugar Island location is aligned to the council’s planned 250-seater theatre on the site of the old Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, which is now due to be demolished.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s planning committee signed off on the Downey Developments application without further scrutiny in open chambers.
Builders approved for water sports hub to be ‘game changer’
Builders for a major £4.6million Co Armagh water sport facility have been approved to begin developing a “game changer” for the community.
The Camlough Lake recreational hub design was approved by the council’s planning committee in February with early images now released ahead of construction.
In a significant step forward in the decade old vision, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s strategy, policy and resources committee has now signed off on preferred contractors behind closed doors away from the public and media.
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