Councillors clash over Strabane funding proposal

COUNCILLORS have clashed over plans to seek additional funding for Strabane and the surrounding areas.

At last week’s full council meeting independent members Jason Barr and Raymond Barr proposed contacting the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, and the Minister for Infrastructure, John O’Dowd, to request additional funding to address the “awful state of various housing estates and streets, due to weeds overgrowth and uneven footpaths, in the Strabane district.”

SDLP councillor Rory Farrell said he supported the “spirit of the motion”, but added that the issues were not confined to Strabane.

He put forward an amendment to the motion (which was ultimately unsuccessful) seeking funding for improvements across the entire district.

“Every DEA experiences these issues,” he added. “There are potholes, footpaths need renewed, and moss and weeds are widespread.

“So whilst we recognise this issue exists in Strabane, it simply exists everywhere and there’s not enough budget or focus within DfI to address these issues.”

Derg councillor, Derek Hussey said the initial motion’s purpose was to tackle inequity between the city and rural areas.

He said, “In my own area there is power washing once a year to help clean up our streets and they are an absolute disgrace.

“There is an inequality that has to be recognised by the other councillors, other than the 12 who represent the former (Strabane) district council area.”

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney argued that Cllr Hussey was “quite happy to forget the city when it suits the district.”

“I know Alderman Hussey may not know his way around the city very well, but the footpaths here have weeds growing out of them too,” he said.

Cllr Jason Barr said the motion needed to focus on Strabane and surrounding villages, while Raymond Barr said the amendment and its supporters were “missing the bigger picture” of the motion.

Cllr Raymond Barr concluded: “The point is there’s a clear disparity in Strabane and it’s having a negative effect on townspeople, on businesses, and on visitors.

“It would take very, very little in comparison to what it takes to make the city presentable. I think that’s the point that’s being missed and I would expect a wee bit of empathy from the city councillors.”