THE council has hit back at a survey that claims that it is the worst performing authority in the North when it comes to tackling climate change. Data from Climate Emergency UK compiled their survey by applying criteria assessing actions that local authorities have control over with respect to their impact on carbon emissions and […]
Row in Council meeting over dual-language signage
AN Ulster Unionist member of the Council has accused Sinn Féin of trying to suppress information around the Dual Language Signage policy by calling for an abbreviated version of the monthly report showing which roads were considered and approved or refused. Previously some members expressed concern around the policy allowing an application to be made by […]
Anger as vandals hit Tattinderry Play Park
VANDALS have been slammed for damage caused at a Maguiresbridge play park. One of the swings at Tattinderry play park was vandalised to the point where it was unsafe for children to use it. The Council have condemned the mindless act and while they state that repair work has been completed, they urged those responsible […]
No ‘bah humbug’ from Councillors full of Xmas cheer
COUNCILLORS have warmly welcomed the planned programme of Christmas events and festive lighting across the borough this December with one councillor joking “Maybe we’ll not be called Scrooges this year.” Director of Community and Wellbeing, John Boyle, told councillors that festive lighting the two main towns of Enniskillen and Omagh is supported through the Council by a […]
Lakeland Forum’s development plans get thumbs-up
FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council has approved planning permission for the redevelopment of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum. The redevelopment will be the Council’s ‘biggest capital spend’ ever as well as being the first leisure centre building in Ireland to use Passivhaus design standards. It is anticipated that the full business case for the project will be presented […]
‘Dole plus £10’ scheme branded as ‘substitute labour’
A FERMANAGH jobseeker has told the Herald that the job centre offered him work experience picking up litter for £10 a week on top of his dole money. The Department for Communities’ “Work Experience Programme” – also known as “dole plus £10” – is offered on a voluntary basis to unemployed people. The scheme has been […]
Leisure centres’ hours reviewed but report is on hold
A REVIEW into the Sunday opening hours of Fermanagh’s leisure centres has been carried out but residents will have to wait before its findings are published. The centres at Lakeland Forum (Enniskillen), Castle Park (Lisnaskea) and Bawnacre (Irvinestown) currently operate different hours on a Sunday in comparison to the Omagh Leisure Complex. Currently, Omagh opens […]
Cllr Greene hits out at cancelled bin collections
A FERMANAGH councillor has blasted the number of bin cancellations over the last weeks and months as being “ridiculous”. Cllr Sheamus Greene stated that the situation was “not a good look” for the Council and that each cancellation was bringing a number of hygiene issues for rate-paying residents. With caddy-bins being much smaller than standard […]
McCaffrey will not seek re-election
PROMOTION of the Irish language and stopping a pig farm being built next to Derrylin are the achievements that Cllr Chris McCaffrey is proud of. The former Vice-Chairman of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council – who at 25 was the youngest to serve in that role – announced that he would not be seeking re-election when […]
Council prepares to strike the rate
RATEPAYERS will find out if rates are to be increased with the Council set to decide the new figures. A special Council meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 9 to discuss the new district rate for residents and businesses for the forthcoming financial year of 2023/24. Rates are a property tax paid on domestic […]