Mid Ulster council will ‘sort out’ umbrellas for elected members

Mid Ulster District Council officers will ‘sort out’ new umbrellas for elected members, a meeting has heard.

Speaking at a meeting of the local authority’s policy and resources committee, Cllr Sean McPeake asked if officers could find the funds within the local authority’s budget to supply councillors with umbrellas ahead of the winter months.

“We were out at Davagh the other day and there was a real torrential downpour throughout the proceedings,” he told the committee.

“I am just wondering, I know we got them three or four years ago, but would it be possible to get new umbrellas for councillors?

“There is a new cadre of members on board this mandate and I am wondering if we can go back and refresh our stock of umbrellas.

“I think now coming into the winter months if we have to go outside for activities and site meetings, it would be very useful. I will declare an interest as I have an umbrella with a broken strut so I will be seeking one if they do come about.”

The committee’s chair, Cllr Cora Corry, noted how members could certainly have used umbrellas in recent days before council’s chief executive, Adrian McCreesh confirmed officers “will sort that out”.

Meanwhile, the chair of Mid Ulster TUV, Glenn Moore, was critical of Cllr McPeake’s request.

Mr Moore said, “Councillors are already more than adequately reimbursed for the work they do and can well afford £20 or £30 for an umbrella without expecting the ratepayer to pay for one – particularly during a ‘cost-of-living’ crisis when ratepayers are seeing basic services like access to recycling centres reduced because, we are told, council just doesn’t have the money to provide the service they have given us previously.”