Council head backs staff over park row

Council head backs staff over park row

4 September 2013

DOWN Council’s chief executive has mounted a vigorous defence of his senior staff amid claims they are not doing enough to progress a £1.7m town park scheme in Ballynahinch.

Mr. John Dumigan reacted angrily to the claims by the town’s Independent councillor Mickey Coogan at the local authority’s meeting last week and made it clear his staff will not be “bullied or intimidated” into making a decision.

Councillor Coogan says he “remains unconvinced” that council officers are doing all they can to progress the Lough Park scheme and expressed concern that further delays could scupper the entire project.

Down Council has agreed to provide £400,000 towards the scheme being spearheaded by environmental charity Groundwork NI in association with Ballynahinch Olympic and Hillcrest Drive Community Partnership.

For the project to move to the tender stage and ensure completion by the end of March, Down Council must issue a letter of offer to satisfy the requirements of other funders.

While it has agreed to do this, Mr. Dumigan has made it clear that not a penny will be handed over until issues the local authority has concerns about — specifically with regard to a number of costings — are addressed. He said council officers are not responsible for delaying the project, but do have a duty to ensure money which is allocated is spent properly.

“We are not in a position to say that yet,” he declared. “We don’t have all the information we need. The information we have been provided with over the past while has changed. We need more information which shows this scheme is viable and stacks up. Until that is the case, we will not be handing over any money.”

Mr. Dumigan said his officers are happy to work with those behind the scheme, explaining officers need to critically examine the final business case and see a detailed breakdown of all the figures involved.

Councillor Coogan said the town park scheme has the support of all the people of Ballynahinch and will be a major asset, warning “all the stops need to be pulled out to ensure it’s delivered.”

He explained his accusation that the local authority “was not committed to seeing the project through” came about as a result of concerns raised with him by ratepayers in Ballynahinch and people who played a key role in raising £500,000 towards the cost of the scheme and working tirelessly to help deliver it.

“Councillors are here to scrutinise officers as well. The town park’s economic appraisal was sent to the council last December and the first query raised as a result was near the end of July. The concern in the community is understandable,” he declared.

“Council officers have listed six points they believe need to be addressed prior to releasing the funds, but I believe these can only be addressed as the scheme progresses and that most have already been resolved. None of the points raised by officers should restrict the release of funds.”