DUP fail in fresh bid on park
THE DUP have failed in a fresh bid to change the make-up of the steering group responsible for the redevelopment of Portadown People’s Park.
The DUP submitted a rescinding motion on Monday night, calling on the council to reverse the decision taken at the previous meeting to have one person per party represented on the steering group that will lead the project.
However, the motion fell, with the DUP again directing anger towards the Ulster Unionists.
In a statement, the DUP said, “We as a group on behalf of the Unionist electorate took the opportunity to give the UUP a second chance to increase unionist representation on the steering group that will lead on one of Craigavon’s most important and most contentious projects of its day.
“The political make-up of the Portadown electoral ward is clear with the DUP having four seats, the UUP one seat and Sinn Fein two seats. We therefore believe that this make-up should be replicated in the steering group that will lead on this matter along with one elected representative from Alliance and SDLP who have no seats in this ward at present.
“We are outraged that under the leadership of Cllr Ken Twyble the UUP have once again backed SF in this issue and as a result unionism has been denied fair representation on this steering group.”
The DUP group also accused Mr Twyble and his UUP colleagues of having “pedalled an anti-unionist agenda” in Craigavon Borough Council.”
They added, “We only have to think of the three votes taken recently the first being that of Mayor when Mr Twyble abstained in a clear vote between SF and a unionist Mayor.
“Mr Twyble and his team also could not support Cllr Robert Smith’s appointment as an advocate for Armed Forces issues and now we have this final decision that denies a strong unionist vote on a steering group that will lead on the regeneration of the public park.
“We are all too aware of the fact that this park has been a cold house for unionism. The increased unionist voice and voting power on this committee would have reflected the political make-up of the area. Additionally it would have instilled further confidence in the people of Portadown that are concerned about the genuine share space element of this project.
“Undoubtedly, the unionist people have been let down by Mr Twyble and his colleagues on this vitally important issue. This is totally unacceptable and once again we see the UUP rolling over under the pressure from SF.”
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Weather for Portadown
Saturday 25 May 2013
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Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
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