Latest news with #RecoveryPlan
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Stormont has abandoned ‘solemn duty and responsibility to protect people', says Police Federation
Liam Kelly said the PSNI Recovery Plan has been shredded because no funding has been allocated to secure the 7,000 officers, the force says it needs to police safely. Speaking at the Federation's conference in Enniskillen, Mr Kelly said the plan put forward by the Chief Constable Jon Boutcher was merely the beginning to re-build, and not an end in itself. The Federation said the PSNI lost 427 officers last year – including 199 who left due to ill health, 142 retired and 65 left the service voluntarily for alternative employment. Speaking to an audience, that included the Justice Minister Naomi Long, Mr Kelly said: 'I take no pleasure in telling you today that the Recovery Plan has been effectively shredded. 'It will not be happening unless there's a last-minute re-think by the Executive'. Mr Boutcher published the recovery plan last September, with aims to lift the PSNI officer numbers to 7,000 within three years at a cost of £200m.. 'The Department of Finance has recently informed the Chief Constable that it cannot find the money to support the Plan. 'To say there is disappointment would be a gross under-statement. It would be more accurate to say this Federation is appalled by this decision. It is a slap in the face to our officers'. He added that the decision not to fund new recruits amounted to 'abandonment by an elected administration'. 'The Recovery Plan was such a vital component in steadying the ship. But let's remember, it was just the beginning of a strategy to get us on to the first few rungs of the ladder. It was not an end in itself. 'According to research conducted by Leapwise, we actually need up to 8,500 officers to reflect our rising population. Right now, we're at 6,224 officers which is 2,276 shy of that, and nobody in Government seems to care or give a damn.' The Federation chair claimed that policing 'was at the back of the queue' when it came to financial allocations. 'The Service has been elbowed out of the mix when it comes to receiving a realistic budget. And let's not forget, if the Service doesn't get what it needs, it's our men and women who shoulder the full weight of doing more with less. 'This is yet further evidence of the scandalous disregard shown by both this devolved administration and the main 'paymaster' in London,' he added. In a last minute appeal to the Executive he urged them to 'change course and recognise the desperate need for urgent positive intervention before there is any further shocking damage done to our police service'. The Federation say there has been investment with planned increases in officer numbers and investment in England and Wales while in Northern Ireland, 'Neighbourhood Policing was in reverse with the loss of 400 dedicated officers'. 'We're expected to be everywhere, do everything, avert, divert and problem solve with an operational deployable total of around 4,500 officers. 'Minister, it cannot be done. We are at breaking point. We need a lifeline.' News Catch Up - Wednesday 21 May In the last year, there were 2,810 recorded assaults on police officers. 881 of these involved injury – a 9.9% decrease from 2023/2024. Mr Kelly added that over the last three years, 'there was a staggering total of 9,415 assaults. 2,826 of these involved injury'. 'Mindless thugs think it's ok to have a go. To take a swing at someone in uniform. To break a nose….a hand….an arm. Headbutt. Punch. Kick. Spit at. Ram a police vehicle. 'We must see strong minimum sentences and longer terms of imprisonment for more serious attacks on our men and women. 'The suspended sentence, measly fines and strong words of condemnation aren't enough to deal with this problem. Stiffer penalties produce results.' Mr Kelly asked the Justice Minister to look at how the issue has been successfully dealt with in Malta 'Between 2017 and 2024, following the introduction of heavier fines and longer custodial sentences, violent offending against police officers in Malta decreased by 67 per cent. 'Our Maltese colleagues expect the assault and attack figures on their officers to be at an all-time low this year.' Addressing the Justice Minister, Mr Kelly said: 'It is deterrent sentencing and fines like these that we require in Northern Ireland. In fact, it is long overdue. A clear, strong, no-nonsense message has to go out, that the days of a verbal rebuke, a suspended sentence or a derisory fine are over. 'This Federation will never give up striving for what is best for policing and we will never allow ourselves to be left feeling we're not a priority. We are the glue that holds our society together and the sooner that fact is properly recognised by our politicians the better.'
The Courier
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
UHI Perth principal faces resignation calls after degree axe row
UHI Perth principal Dr Margaret Cook is facing calls to quit her top post due in a row over finances at the university. Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart said the crisis-hit institution needs new leadership and urged Dr Cook to seriously consider her position. 'The principal must take responsibility for this mess,' he told The Courier. The Courier revealed last week that UHI Perth put forward a proposal to axe all university degrees to help plug a £2 million deficit at a board meeting on March 6. University bosses told us they were 'carefully exploring all options' to tackle the financial black hole. They quickly U-turned and said this was 'strongly dismissed' during the very same meeting when the suggestion was first made. In a letter to staff and students, Dr Cook said a 'board member' had came up with the idea of stopping higher education provision. Yet it was Dr Cook herself who delivered the presentation where this was put forward as part of a possible recovery plan. A statement later sent to The Courier omitted any mention of a 'board member'. SNP MP Mr Wishart said: 'The whole sorry saga at UHI Perth is becoming embarrassing and cringeworthy. 'The contradictions in her various statements are there for all to see. 'It's now time for her to seriously consider her position and for new leadership at the college. 'There seems to be absolutely no doubt Margaret Cook should step down now.' Mr Wishart wrote to Dr Cook on Monday asking to see any papers or slideshows which outlined the proposals to axe degrees. He wants to clarify who came up with the controversial idea – and why it was deemed necessary to discuss this. The Perth and Kinross-shire MP wrote: 'Many of my constituents remain deeply concerned about the current financial difficulties at the college and how the institution is being led.' A spokesperson for UHI Perth said: 'The board of management requested Dr Margaret Cook to present a draft of the UHI Perth Recovery Plan and facilitate discussions on potential strategic decisions. 'During this meeting, the topic of discontinuing our higher education delivery was raised, discussed collectively, and strongly dismissed.' The university added: 'We responded previously to Mr Wishart's concerns and reiterate that UHI Perth has no intention of ceasing our provision of degrees.' Last week we reported UHI Perth's finance chief had quit while the institution wrestles with its £2 million deficit. It means the university is currently trying to devise a recovery plan without a dedicated finance director in post. Gavin Stevenson, who resigned on April 18, had only taken up the post a year earlier. We also reported last month how a Perth aviation firm linked to the university went into administration last month. UHI Perth chiefs were branded 'utterly disastrous' for failing to respond to warnings that this could happen seven months earlier. The under-fire university also shut its nursery last year due to fears over its financial sustainability.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dayton expected to tackle 250 blighted structures in 2025
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The city of Dayton has big plans for 2025. Dayton will demolish nearly 250 blighted structures throughout the city in 2025, as part of the Dayton Recovery Plan. Seven structures have already been demolished this year as part of that plan. Dayton high school goes viral after photos of bathroom gate shared on social media Additionally, the city plans to remove at least 50 rubble piles from fires or other incidents. Over 100 structures will be torn down using funds from the Ohio Department of Development. City leaders say that funding from the Recovery Plan is allowing work to speed up in neighborhoods where work has been needed for a long time. 'We are really utilizing the Recovery Plan funding, Department of Development funding, it's one of the largest surpluses we've had where we can tackle way more than what we have been able to accomplish,' said Steven Gondol, director of Dayton's Department of Planning. Over 110 of the contracted demolitions are in the Southern Dayton View neighborhood, with over 50 in the Santa Clara neighborhood. In 2024, the city demolished just over 200 blighted structures. To learn more about the Dayton Recovery Plan, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
