People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin
Said the Foyeside councillor: “The Health and Community Committee agreed with my call for our Council to send the strongest possible message to the DfC Minister that his meeting with the LCC was completely unacceptable.
“It’s absolutely disgusting for him to ignore requests for meetings from Derry City and Strabane District Council, anti-poverty, women’s, LGBTQIA+ and disability groups who have contributed immensely to social inclusion strategies, in order to prioritise a meeting with thugs terrorising working-class communities.
“He has sent a damaging message by legitimising organisations who serve no progressive purpose.
“The DUP will be reminded of the hypocrisy of it again and again.
“Minister Lyons should be focused on implementing an anti-poverty strategy, reversing the Rates Support Grant cut, reinstating the Winter Fuel Payment and addressing an increasingly chronic housing crisis, not rewarding parasitic organisations.
“The DfC Minister and the Stormont Executive will only act on these vital issues if they feel people power pressure.”
Full motion:
“Council will write to the DfC Minister to convey our frustration at his decision to meet with the unrepresentative LCC
while refusing to meet many organisations concerned with Anti-Poverty, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Disability Rights to discuss progress on social inclusion strategies.
“Additionally, the DfC Minister refused meetings with this Council to discuss his cuts to the Rates Support Grant, his failure to implement an Anti-Poverty Strategy, the crisis in provision of social and affordable housing and other painful cuts.
“Council agrees and will write to the Minister requesting he urgently meet with Derry City & Strabane District Council and all Anti-Poverty organisations, Women’s groups, LGBTQIA+ groups and disability rights organisations who have requested meetings with him; and announce a date for the implementation of an anti-poverty strategy based on the recommendations of the expert panel.”
Tags: