Sydney Anderson
Upper Bann · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for coming along today in relation to the issue. Bannview Medical Practice in Portadown is in crisis. It is a serious situation. When you come along and put out statements that a contactor has been secured and suchlike, people stop believing anything. They tell me that they are being told lie upon lie.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Minister, you will be well aware of the damage that was caused to land, property and businesses in upper Bann. I am referring to the area along the lough shore at Kinnego, and at the Birches and Maghery areas of Portadown. In light of your answer, what assurances can you give to those people?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. The recently published report on the announced visit to HMP Maghaberry in September 2016 noted that no significant progress had been made in addressing the concerns on the abuse of drugs raised in May 2015 and restated in January 2016.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I will not be asking a question about Brexit. She mentioned animal health and welfare in paragraph 9 of the statement. Will she give us an update on the bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme in Northern Ireland?”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. We all recognise that the agriculture sector plays a pivotal role in the Northern Ireland economy, with approximately 70,000 people employed in the agriculture and food processing sectors.”
“This committee will be useful because it formalises discussions between the Government and key industry stakeholders so that open discussions and debate can be taken account of as policy and negotiating positions are developed.”
The complete record
Every one of 237 lines we hold for Sydney Anderson, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 5.
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that more could have been done by the Department to communicate with the groups to ensure that the necessary documentation was submitted to help with the easier payment of claims?”
“— and feasibility of such high requirements being placed on the voluntary and community sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />One other area of concern in the voluntary and community sector is that those who provide training under the ESF have to undertake a teaching qualification at Ulster University, or equivalent academic qualifications, or be registered to do so by 2016-17. This is all fine in theory, but it is difficult in practice. It places financial and time demands on tutors for both training and delivery, and they may not be able to meet those demands. Also, will the Ulster University have the capacity to cope with this demand? I question the necessity —”
“I am glad that a process of accelerated payments is now in place for the 2014-2020 period, and I understand that 50% of claims submitted will be paid up front. This, I believe, is a major step in the right direction. As the Minister said, this is a low-risk approach, and it will certainly make life easier for all concerned. We need to take some risks. An undue aversion to risk-taking is one of the weaknesses of our Civil Service at times. <BR /> <BR />Like many others, I have been very critical of the failures in administration, but, if we can correct the mistakes, we can move forward. I appreciate that officials worked hard to ensure that the programme was ready to run at the start of the 2015-16 financial year. This means that there has been no gap between the closure of the old programme and the start of the new one.”
“When I raised staffing with officials at the Committee in September, I was told that the resources required for the new programme had been identified and that the staff in post would be there permanently. I was also told at Committee that there would be an accredited training programme for staff so that they would have the necessary skills. Perhaps the Minister can clarify the position on staffing. Are staff being deployed permanently or just on a temporary basis? <BR /> <BR />One of the major concerns in the last tranche of applications was that nothing was paid if there was a problem with missing documentation, and little effort, it seems, was made to follow up on outstanding issues with the groups concerned.”
“This was also mentioned by the Minister in answer to an oral question from my colleague Mr Weir as recently as 9 November, when he said that further staff had been brought:”
“I acknowledge that there is a need for good governance and a proper audit of all claims. All things must be done decently and in order. I also acknowledge that officials are working very hard to resolve outstanding issues. However, no matter what sort of spin is put on all of this or what reasons are given for the problems, the Department's handling of the claims has been a disgrace, and lessons must be learned. <BR /> <BR />Officials came to the Committee on 23 September and said that they wanted to move forward and not repeat the mistakes of recent months. That is indeed encouraging, but what confidence can we have that it will become a reality? What certainty is there that we will move forward without all the hassle endured last time? I welcome the assurances given at the Committee that staff resources have been looked at.”
“We urged the Minister to admit that he and his officials had got it badly wrong, but the Minister was reluctant to do that; he seemed to be in denial as he attempted to justify the unjustifiable. The Minister then came to the Committee on 1 July and offered a limited apology for what he said was:”
“As a member of the Employment and Learning Committee, I support the motion. The European social fund is a vital source of help to a wide range of community, voluntary and women's groups. In days of stringent cuts, those groups rely more and more on that sort of funding. <BR /> <BR />We debated this issue in the Chamber some six months ago on 18 May 2015. At that time, there was growing anger, dismay and a sense of injustice at the Department for Employment and Learning's abysmal handling of ESF applications. In short, it was a bureaucratic and administrative mess. Well-respected voluntary and community groups were left high and dry, and they wanted answers.”
“The Bill also gives an enabling power to DARD to provide guidance and advice and to commission research into rural needs. I hope that DARD will not be found wanting in those areas. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the provision in the Bill to require all relevant bodies to compile data and share information. I also welcome the requirement for DARD to produce an annual report. However, as with all those things, legislation is only effective if it works in practice. It will need the full commitment and active support of central and local government, as well as other public bodies. I also feel that the new councils in particular will have a pivotal role to play. I look forward with interest to further exploring those and other issues at Committee Stage. At this stage, I am content to give my support to the broad principles of the Bill.”
“Although the Bill is being taken forward by the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, it is very much a Bill that transcends Departments. It stems from a broader Executive commitment and depends for its effectiveness on the willingness of all key players to step up to the plate. The logic underpinning the Bill is to make sure that all major policies and initiatives are properly assessed to see how they impact on rural areas. The Bill requires that consideration is given to what extent, if any, a particular policy might adversely impact on the rural community. Crucially, that rural proofing will involve not only central government but local government, and the intention is that other public bodies will be involved in due course. The Bill gives DARD the power to name those by affirmative resolution.”
“As part of the rural White Paper action plan, the Executive included a commitment to strive for a fair and inclusive rural society where rural dwellers enjoy the same quality of life as all others in the region. The consultation with key stakeholders that took place this time last year, along with the public consultation process that took place earlier this year, identified many of the problems that I have just outlined. The consultation also confirmed that there is broad support for legislation that puts the needs of the rural community onto a statutory footing.”
“Often, the problem is exacerbated by cuts in public transport which make it even more difficult for rural dwellers to get into a town. This impacts on many folks in the countryside, but it has the most severe impact on vulnerable groups such as the elderly. Many rural dwellers are isolated, and many live alone.”
“The countryside is at the heart of Northern Ireland life. Farming is one of the Province's oldest and most important industries. Many who work in our cities and towns choose to live in the countryside and rear their families there. Rural communities are an essential part of the fabric of society, but they have been disadvantaged and neglected for far too long. <BR />The Bill seeks to address issues that have been of concern to rural dwellers for many years. Over those years, and more so in recent times, rural dwellers have lost many services and facilities. I frequently meet constituents who are very concerned about the reduction, or even the disappearance, of key facilities such as schools, banks, post offices, ATMs and so on.”
“As a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Rural Needs Bill. It is a small Bill of seven clauses, four of which contain the substance of the Bill, but it covers a big subject. It is of considerable relevance to many people, and I declare an interest in that I have been a rural dweller for most of my life. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, it is worth reminding ourselves of some of the key words covered by the Bill. The word "rural" is not defined in it, but, on the basis of the definition given by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), it means a settlement of fewer than 5,000 people. The term "rural needs", however, is defined in the Bill as meaning:”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Will she update the House on how the Executive support the manufacturing sector through rate relief?”
“I thank the Minister for his responses so far. Can he tell us what potential he sees for the Confucius Institute in Northern Ireland? How does he see that relationship growing?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. <BR /> <BR />Local firms have said that modern language skills are crucial for the development and growth of business. The chief executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ann McGregor, has described the closure of the school of modern languages at Ulster University as a setback for exporters. In the light of the importance to our economy of countries such as China and Germany, does the Minister agree that it is vital that both those languages are taught at university level in Northern Ireland? Does he also agree that the failure to offer such courses will simply add to the brain drain?”
“Deputy First Minister, I hope that you relay your comments to your Sinn Féin colleagues in Mid Ulster District Council. Do you agree that the recent decision by the GAA to form a guard of honour at the paramilitary-style funeral of Declan McGlinchey in Bellaghy sends out a very negative signal to the Protestant and unionist community and does nothing to contribute to good relations in sport?”
“In light of all the recommendations in the report, it is fundamental that urgent and decisive action is taken to strengthen the leadership at Maghaberry. Minister, you are at the top. Action needs to be taken. What confidence can anyone have if we still get palmed-off responses every time we bring the issues to the Chamber?”
“It is very appropriate that the Minister is in the Chamber to answer questions on this damning inspection report. It might be beyond belief, were it not that the finding that Maghaberry is in a state of crisis comes as no surprise to me, or to other Members of this House, having talked to people on the ground, including former and serving prison officers and their families. It gives me no satisfaction, Minister, to stand before you today and say, "We told you so" over many months. Yet nothing has been done to rectify the situation. I have brought issues to this House relating to staff morale, staff sickness levels and the "small" fire at Maghaberry, as it was described, costing £400,000. All we received were palmed-off responses.”
“I thank the acting First Minister for her response. Will she confirm that everything possible is being done to push those projects in Upper Bann and to get them towards the completion stage as soon as possible, bearing in mind the length of time that they have been waiting and the other projects in Upper Bann that are waiting to see where they sit at this stage?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. How is land identified for the development of social housing so that social housing is supplied where it is most in need?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. She mentioned an implementation plan to address operational issues. Will she elaborate on the other relevant agencies that are involved and the timescale for the completion of that implementation plan?”
“OK, I am being asked questions now. Minister, there was £400,000 also spent, which was termed by the Department as "a small amount", and I do not think that that was a small amount by any stretch of the imagination. We need to know how and why it was spent. Minister, do you agree with me that those high costs highlight an even bigger problem in the service, which is that the prisons are seriously understaffed? If you do agree, many feel that the safety of prison officers has been compromised.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. During questions for oral answer on 21 January last year, I asked about a report into the dumping of illegal waste at the Mobuoy site in Londonderry. Your reply, on that occasion, was a promise to ensure a more joined-up approach between your Department and other agencies, including the NIEA. Is the Criminal Justice Inspection report an indication of failure? Or, could it be viewed as failure on your part?”
“— are causing further distress for those families, and they need more, not less, help at this time.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I am sure that, like me, the Member has had many complaints from concerned parents regarding cutbacks and reduced budgets for people with disabilities. Does the Member agree that any cutbacks in that area will seriously affect those most vulnerable people, especially those living in our rural areas — like you, I represent a big rural area — where transport is much in need? Cuts of this nature —”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Are clubs being given all the necessary information to assist them to make their applications? Who will administer the fund? What is the number of clubs that are likely to benefit? Will the funding be spread across the Province?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Following a recent fire and act of arson in Maghaberry prison as recently as 26 April, do you agree that those radical reductions in staffing levels and the pressures that have been placed on existing staff might have played a part in the fire? Do you further agree that it throws into serious doubt the ability of the directors of Maghaberry to manage the prison on the basis of the current staffing levels, bearing in mind that, over the last five years, there has been a reduction of some 800 staff?”
“I know that the process is now complete, but the Employment Minister and his officials must engage in an assessment of what went wrong so that lessons can and should be learned, we can get back on track and everyone, including the Minister for Employment and Learning, as well as other Ministers and Departments, works and supports each other in ensuring that community and voluntary groups do not suffer any loss or can minimise the loss of funding.”
“I thank the Member for that intervention. I certainly agree that that would be a devastating blow for those groups, the children and their families. It would be a great loss to them and their communities going forward if that funding was to cease. <BR /> <BR />We must maximise the ESF's potential and not end up, as we have done, in a spider's web of bureaucratic confusion. Confidence in the integrity of the ESF has been damaged and must be repaired.”
“Last week in the Chamber during questions for oral answer, the Minister dealt with four questions on the issue in one answer, but I do not really think that he addressed the failings of the process. <BR /> <BR />ESF is a vital and valuable funding stream that can help in the development of better jobs and a range of vital skills. It opens doors for many who would otherwise struggle. It provides opportunities for people, often young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, to obtain skills that enable them to compete in the job market and therefore helps to stimulate economic growth. All those are key targets of the Executive and of DEL in particular.”
“<BR /> <BR />I may be wrong, but I am not sure whether the Employment Minister has openly acknowledged his Department's failings in the matter. I note what Ms Lo said when she focused on the ESF, in the sense that it was oversubscribed with funding applications, but I believe that that was maybe an attempt to deflect attention away from the Employment and Learning Minister. I think that the Chair hit on it when he said that it was all about the openness and transparency of the process, rather than the oversubscribing. Indeed, I note that, at the Employment and Learning Committee on 29 April, the Minister took issue with Ms Sugden when she suggested that the process was flawed.”
“<BR /> <BR />I appreciate that European-funded schemes can be extremely bureaucratic, but there is really no excuse for the Department for Employment and Learning's poor handling of applications. I do not have time to go into all the details, but there are many failings that left reputable groups in a state of confusion. Many of those groups presented to the Committee. Some were shocked to be told that their paperwork had not been properly completed, and, to cap it all, the subsequent appeal process seems to have been poorly managed. All that has led to a massive loss of confidence in the sector. It has jeopardised jobs and the delivery of much-needed skills and personal development training to disengaged and disadvantaged sections of our community.”
“As a member of the Employment and Learning Committee, I want to focus briefly on the second part of the motion, which draws specific attention to the confusion surrounding the European social fund. We face something of an administrative and bureaucratic mess, and, in my view, there is no justification or excuse for such a mess. Back in February this year, my party colleague Diane Dodds MEP highlighted problems and inconsistencies over applications for the European social fund, a fund that is such a help to community, voluntary and women's groups. Across the sector there was a sense of injustice. It seemed that some applications were being rejected on what appeared to be very flimsy grounds, while others appeared to be treated more favourably.”
“That is a commendable idea, but we are now witnessing severe financial pressures on the sector, and those pressures are not only stifling its potential growth but threatening its ability to deliver existing services. No one in the sector that I know of is pleading for special treatment; indeed, they accept that cuts are inevitable in the current financial climate. However, with regard to the European social fund, there is a feeling in the community that cuts are not always made fairly or consistently. That leads to much discontent.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome the debate and support the motion. It covers a wide range of funding sources and Departments, and I look forward to my colleague the Minister for Social Development responding on behalf of the Executive. <BR /> <BR />As an MLA, I am all too aware of the extremely valuable contribution made by the voluntary and community sector to the quality of life of many in Northern Ireland. I could cite many examples of front-line services provided by the sector that are now under severe threat due to cuts. Our Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been an ardent supporter of the vision of the Big Society, which aims to empower local communities to encourage voluntary and community groups to play an ever-increasing role in our society.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. In view of the key importance of skills and innovation to the economy, what other steps is he taking to ensure the development of an appropriately skilled workforce?”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed statement. I note that the strategy is not just focused on shifting people from unemployment to economic inactivity; it is stand-alone. It is good that we are not just trying to shift people about to suit certain numbers. The Department has responsibility for project D: under any new model, what support can the Minister give to employers and small businesses to encourage them to hire and upskill the groups mentioned in the statement? What can his Department do in the future that it is not doing now?”
“I urge the police to sit down again and to rethink this reorganisation. Proper policing is important to us all. It is, in many ways, a basic human right. We owe it to our community to get it right. It is time for us to stand up and try to protect our constituents in the ABC area in relation to the changes.”
“On top of that, Portadown town does not even have a proper, modern, up-to-date police station. That says it all. <BR /> <BR />I sense a real unease in the community at large in Upper Bann. Crime levels remain too high. I could take you to a local shop in my constituency, which was raided last month for the fifth time, and, as I understand it, no one to date has been brought to book for that. While it is getting no better, we propose to cut the PSNI budget in such a way that we have fewer officers and less resource. The police and the Justice Minister are well aware of the difficulties and issues that they face in my constituency and in the wider ABC area. <BR /> <BR />A dangerous combination of dissident activity, drug crime and organised gang crime, which continue to blight our community, are all big issues.”
“Banbridge will, in turn, be served by the Armagh team. That will effectively leave a major rural town, which has one of the biggest drug problems in Northern Ireland and a strong nightlife culture, with no neighbourhood policing team at all. That is a real shame because so much good work has been done in recent years through neighbourhood policing in the Banbridge area in tackling drug-related crime, domestic abuse, attacks on the elderly and general rural crime. As a result, a positive relationship has been built up between the police and the people who are now at risk. We all know about the ongoing security problems that the Lurgan and Craigavon area continues to face as well. In Portadown, illegal activity is, sadly, a prominent problem.”
“Just yesterday, we were utterly astounded to learn that the PSNI has declared a £14 million underspend. On one hand, we are repeatedly told that front-line police services must be cut and senior police are rarely out of the media as they warn of stringent and visible cuts. Now, they are handing back £14 million. That raises serious questions about budget mismanagement. As my colleague David Simpson said yesterday, it seems absurd and a complete contradiction. Just a small amount of that £14 million would go a long way towards addressing the problems that we are highlighting in this debate. The police, in this case, I believe, have a lot of explaining to do. <BR /> <BR />My constituency will now be served by four neighbourhood policing teams in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) area.”
“It is as serious as that. There is a sense of worry and unease in our communities, both urban and rural. That must be addressed if we are to maintain community confidence in our policing structures. Patten envisaged a new dawn for policing, with peacetime officers in the region of 7,500, but this is no longer the case. One has to ask whether these proposed changes to neighbourhood policing fly in the face of Patten. <BR /> <BR />Only last week, I, along with my party colleagues Stephen Moutray MLA and David Simpson MP, met local police and the Assistant Chief Constable to raise our concerns. We all understand that we are in difficult economic times, but proposed massive cuts to the most visible element of the PSNI operation, that of community policing, is, in my eyes, foolhardy and short-sighted at best.”
“I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to all who have been involved in them down through the years. <BR /> <BR />Crucially, neighbourhood policing connects the police with the people. Local knowledge and locally known faces instil community confidence. By building up a strong level of local knowledge, local police have more credibility and a better standing in the community. If we can encourage communal confidence in day-to-day policing, that can only be to society's benefit. Sadly, this is all about to change with the restructuring of neighbourhood policing across our district. I have grave concerns about that, and, for that reason, I regard this debate as being of considerable importance. <BR /> <BR />As we stand, I feel that we are at risk of decimating neighbourhood policing in Upper Bann and undoing all the good work.”
“I rise to take part in this important debate on the future of neighbourhood policing across Upper Bann. I thank Mrs Dobson for bringing forward the Adjournment topic. <BR /> <BR />We are in difficult and uncertain times for policing. However, we, as politicians, must never be found wanting when it comes to highlighting provision for our district. I have always taken an active interest in community policing. I believe it to be fundamental to ensuring community confidence and safety for my constituents. I was a member of the Craigavon District Policing Partnership and the Craigavon Community Safety Partnership, which have now been taken over by the relatively new PCSP. I believed in those organisations, which I saw as powerful tools to deliver community policing.”
“That will require full Executive involvement, as the motion indicates, and I see a key role for the Department of Education, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Department for Employment and Learning. <BR /> <BR />The colleges and universities must constantly assess their recruitment strategies and continue to tailor their courses to meet modern industry's needs. The business sector also has a key role to play, and I welcome that some bigger companies, such as Allstate NI, have committed to doing all they can to promote gender balance in STEM and IT. The SMEs can also play their part. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion.”
“The event also gave the young people the chance to talk to some of Northern Ireland's most influential start-up entrepreneurs and tech founders. That sort of event is extremely valuable, as it helps to get the message out, but we have to go further if we want to increase the number of women who study STEM subjects and who are able to compete for well-paid jobs in the local labour market. <BR /> <BR />The motion refers to the Minister's statement of 4 June 2013, but that will soon be two years ago. I know that we face stringent budget cuts, but, if anything, such cuts require an even greater focus and concentration on STEM subjects. Within that framework, gender imbalance must be robustly tackled.”
“A key area of opportunity is the IT sector and digital technology. Just recently, 200 teenagers, male and female, from 80 schools and colleges, came together at St George's Market for an annual event organised by the NISP Connect team at the Northern Ireland Science Park. The American producer Will.i.am, of TV show 'The Voice' fame, was the guest speaker at that event, and he encouraged young people to get excited about a career in the entrepreneurial knowledge economy.”