Beggs presses DSD Minister on abandoned vehicles in Carrickfergus

During question time to the Minister for Social Development at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Roy Beggs MLA has pressed Minister Storey regarding multiple abandoned vehicles in the Taylors Avenue area.

Roy Beggs MLA said “I declare an interest in this subject, as I provided court evidence that resulted in an ASBO being awarded against an individual linked to 90 cars being abandoned in the Taylors Avenue area. Does that antisocial behaviour order still apply and what action has the Northern Ireland Housing Executive taken to invoke the tenancy agreements of occupants of Taylors Avenue who may be continuing to contribute to the abandonment of vehicles in the area?”

The Minister for Social Development said “I thank the Member for his contribution and for declaring his interest in this issue. He makes a valid point, particularly about the Housing Executive. The Housing Executive’s non-statutory interventions, as we said, include warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts, mediation and community support. In addition, the Housing Executive is a founding partner and participant, along with the PSNI and councils, in antisocial behaviour forums that meet to discuss antisocial behaviour in nearly every council area. They have 57 neighbourhood officers who contribute to making their estates cleaner and safer places. The Housing Executive contributes funding to local schemes to address crime, and the fear of crime, in an area. As for the specifics about Carrickfergus, when the Member raised this question, it focused my attention on that area. When we looked into the detail, we found that it has been going on for a considerable time. Following today’s Question Time, I intend to get an update from the Housing Executive as to what further steps it will take to ensure that we have an effective outcome. When I have that information, I will share it with those Members who raised concerns.”

Mr Beggs added “I welcome the response from the Minister and his interest in this anti-social activity which is detracting from the Taylors Avenue and Barn Mills.  I hope that all agencies will work together and the NIHE ensure that all tenants act within their tenancy agreements to bring this problem of abandoned vehicles to an end.”

Ends

 

This entry was posted in Articles, Assembly, In The News, Press Releases, This Week at Stormont. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.