A group of 6 Ulster Unionist Councillors have halted the recent decision by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council by calling in the decision on Tuesday of this week.
The “call in” procedure can be used if members of the council feel that a decision has been made which will have an adverse impact on the Borough and its residents.
This is the 1st call in issued by Ulster Unionist Councillors since the inception of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in 2014.
A spokesperson for the 6 Ulster Unionist councillors responsible for the call in said :
“Unfortunately last week a decision was taken to impliment seasonal car parking charges in our top tourist destinations within our Borough, including Ballintoy Harbour, Ballycastle marina, part of Portballintrae beach road, Portrush dunluce avenue, Portrush landsdowne, Portrush East strand, Portrush west strand and Portstewart convention.
We feel that the potential impact on tourism and on local residents has not been explored in enough detail before taking such an important decision. We have no doubt that tourism will suffer, local residents will suffer due to displacement, and those who work in Portrush and indeed use the Portrush medical centre will be adversely affected.
It is our hope that those who initially agreed to the decision will consider these factors and in turn support us in halting these charges until adequate groundwork and consultation is carried out.”
Cllr Darryl Wilson added
Our Causeway Coast is the biggest and best “leisure centre” in Northern Ireland.. Utilised by locals and tourists alike to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing… What we lose in parking fees, we’ll gain back ten fold in our local economy.”
The 6 councillors responsible for blocking the seasonal car parking decision are :
Ald Norman Hillis
Cllr Darryl Wilson
Cllr Joan Baird
Ald William King
Cllr Sandra Hunter
Ald Tom McKeown
