A RECENT trip to China that saw three top local council officials visit the city of Huangshi cost over £5,000, it has been revealed. At the end of October, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council chair Cllr Barry McElduff, vice-chair Cllr Shirley Hawkes, and chief executive Alison McCullagh spent four-and-a-half days in China in a bid […]
Fermanagh urged to ‘Be The Change’ at Christmas
THIS Christmas, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to take part in ‘Lights for Change.’ The campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire action to end violence against women and girls. By displaying a ‘BeTheChange’ bauble, people can show their support for a safer and more equal future. These simple […]
Fermanagh’s female politicians facing online abuse
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FEMALE politicians in Fermanagh have said they ‘won’t be silenced’, as they speak out on the high level of sexist abuse they receive online. Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLAs, Áine Murphy and Jemma Dolan, recently shared some of the hate messages posted on their online platforms. One of those messages stated the elected representatives were a ‘pair of tramps’. “This […]
Council Christmas campaign to tackle domestic violence
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FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council is to launch a unique Christmas campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls, with a free bauble offered as a symbol of hope and unity. Launching on November 17, the initiative, titled Lights for Change – A Christmas Tree for a Safer Future, seeks to raise awareness and […]
Concern as Fermanagh households struggle to pay rates
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It has recently been reported that over £82 million in rates bills were written off by the Department of Finance in the past six years.
Council chiefs set off on trade trip to China
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By Thomas Maher FERMANAGH and Omagh’s top council officials have set off on a high-level visit to China this week – aiming to open new doors for tourism, education and business investment across the district. Council chair Cllr Barry McElduff, vice-chair Cllr Shirley Hawkes, and chief executive Alison McCullagh are spending four-and-a-half days in Huangshi, central China, […]
Council seeks help on how to spend new £4.5m funding
FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council want to hear from local businesses on how it should spend a new £4.5m fund. The council has been awarded the money from the Department for the Economy through the Regional Balance Fund over the next three years. “This funding will support local businesses and drive economic growth across the […]
Shock as Fermanagh councillor quits party
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THERE was shock and surprise in local political circles this week as Cllr Garbhán McPhillips confirmed he had quit the SDLP and will continue to serve as an Independent. His departure from the party leaves the SDLP with just two sitting members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. A representative in the Council for Erne […]
Mixed views as council debates four-day week
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By Thomas Maher COUNCILLORS in Fermanagh and Omagh have clashed over the merits of a four-day working week after reviewing a report on the first English council to permanently adopt the policy. South Cambridgeshire District Council introduced the shorter week on trial in January 2023 before making it permanent in July of this year. Findings […]
Fireworks would cost Council £60k
The local Council has said hosting a ten-minute Halloween fireworks displays in Omagh and Enniskillen this year would cost £60,000 in total. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council last staged fireworks displays in the towns in 2019, at an overall cost of £41,000. Earlier this year, the council was asked to look at the potential of reinstating […]