Latest news with #TracyKelly
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cllr Tracy Kelly to become DUP's first female Belfast lord mayor
South Belfast councillor Tracy Kelly is set to become the city's first female lord mayor from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She is expected to be voted into the top position in Belfast at a council meeting on Monday night. It will make her the second female unionist to become the city's lord mayor. The late Grace Bannister held the position in 1981, and there is a footbridge in east Belfast named in her honour. The next deputy lord mayor is set to be west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). Kelly, 47, is from the Donegall Road area of south Belfast and used to work in community development, which sparked her interest in politics. She is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA Edwin Poots, who is the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. She previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford, who died suddenly three years ago, aged 39. He had encouraged her to become involved in politics, and she was first elected to the council in 2019. "He asked me to run in that election," she told BBC News NI. "Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council - never mind be lord mayor." The DUP has held the position of lord mayor in Belfast nine times, and among those to wear the chain of office were Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and current party leader Gavin Robinson. Asked about being the first female from the party in the role, Kelly said: "I feel very privileged to be the first female. Women are now taking more and more leadership roles." She pointed out that the DUP has already had a female leader, Arlene Foster, who became first minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly is the current deputy first minister. Looking ahead to her year in office, she said: "My aim as lord mayor is to ensure that nobody is left behind. "Over the years Belfast has evolved and changed dramatically, since the Troubles especially. "But there's communities out there that are disengaged from the city centre, they don't feel part of this change. "And there's also young people who are disengaged from education, employment and training. I want to reach out to them." Away from politics, Kelly is a football fan and supports Linfield and Liverpool. The outgoing lord mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party, who described himself as the first "openly gay" first citizen in Belfast.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cllr Tracy Kelly to become DUP's first female Belfast lord mayor
South Belfast councillor Tracy Kelly is set to become the city's first female lord mayor from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She is expected to be voted into the top position in Belfast at a council meeting on Monday night. It will make her the second female unionist to become the city's lord mayor. The late Grace Bannister held the position in 1981, and there is a footbridge in east Belfast named in her honour. The next deputy lord mayor is set to be west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). Kelly, 47, is from the Donegall Road area of south Belfast and used to work in community development, which sparked her interest in politics. She is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA Edwin Poots, who is the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. She previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford, who died suddenly three years ago, aged 39. He had encouraged her to become involved in politics, and she was first elected to the council in 2019. "He asked me to run in that election," she told BBC News NI. "Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council - never mind be lord mayor." The DUP has held the position of lord mayor in Belfast nine times, and among those to wear the chain of office were Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and current party leader Gavin Robinson. Asked about being the first female from the party in the role, Kelly said: "I feel very privileged to be the first female. Women are now taking more and more leadership roles." She pointed out that the DUP has already had a female leader, Arlene Foster, who became first minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly is the current deputy first minister. Looking ahead to her year in office, she said: "My aim as lord mayor is to ensure that nobody is left behind. "Over the years Belfast has evolved and changed dramatically, since the Troubles especially. "But there's communities out there that are disengaged from the city centre, they don't feel part of this change. "And there's also young people who are disengaged from education, employment and training. I want to reach out to them." Away from politics, Kelly is a football fan and supports Linfield and Liverpool. The outgoing lord mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party, who described himself as the first "openly gay" first citizen in Belfast.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cllr Tracy Kelly to become DUP's first female lord mayor of Belfast
South Belfast councillor Tracy Kelly is set to become the city's first female lord mayor from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).She is expected to be voted into the top position in Belfast at a council meeting on Monday will make her the second female unionist to become the city's lord mayor. The late Grace Bannister held the position in 1981, and there is a footbridge in east Belfast named in her next deputy lord mayor is set to be west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). 'I never thought I would be lord mayor' Kelly, 47, is from the Donegall Road area of south Belfast and used to work in community development, which sparked her interest in is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA Edwin Poots, who is the speaker of the Northern Ireland previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford, who died suddenly three years ago, aged had encouraged her to become involved in politics, and she was first elected to the council in 2019."He asked me to run in that election," she told BBC News NI."Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council - never mind be lord mayor." The DUP has held the position of lord mayor in Belfast nine times, and among those to wear the chain of office were Nigel Dodds, Sammy Wilson and current party leader Gavin about being the first female from the party in the role, Kelly said: "I feel very privileged to be the first female. Women are now taking more and more leadership roles."She pointed out that the DUP has already had a female leader, Arlene Foster, who became first minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly is the current deputy first ahead to her year in office, she said: "My aim as lord mayor is to ensure that nobody is left behind."Over the years Belfast has evolved and changed dramatically, since the Troubles especially."But there's communities out there that are disengaged from the city centre, they don't feel part of this change."And there's also young people who are disengaged from education, employment and training. I want to reach out to them."Away from politics, Kelly is a football fan and supports Linfield and outgoing lord mayor is Micky Murray of the Alliance Party, who described himself as the first "openly gay" first citizen in Belfast.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Managing company hit with £13,000 bill after breaching safety regulations on accommodation
A Salford managing agent has been fined after a council inspection revealed serious safety breaches at a multi-occupancy rented property. This included a failure to ensure adequate fire escape routes. Salford based Student-Haus Limited pleaded guilty at Tameside Magistrates' Court following action taken by Salford City Council after an inspection at the House in Multiple Occupation where they were found to have failed critical safety regulations. The company says it had already commissioned critical fire safety improvements before the council's visit in November 2023, but regrets that necessary safety work had not been completed. It has now ceased managing the property. READ MORE: 'My father looked like the perfect dad, nobody else knew the sickening truth' READ MORE: Tragedy as boy, 13, dies following horror crash near M62 In failing to comply with The Licensing and Management of HMO Regulations 2006 following an inspection in November 2023 carried out by Salford City Council, Student-Haus Limited has been ordered to pay a £6,600 fine, £4,500 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000. (Totalling £13,160). The property in question was a terraced house in Littleton Road, Charlestown, Salford which had four bedrooms and a communal kitchen and bathroom and was rented out. Student-Haus Limited was found guilty of three offences. They were: the manager must ensure that all means of escape the from fire in the HMO are maintained in good order and repair; the manager must ensure that all common parts of the HMO are maintained in good and clean decorative repair; the manager must ensure that all common parts of the HMO are maintained in a safe and working condition. In a statement Salford City Council said: "With its commitment to building a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all, Salford City Council strongly encourages landlords to take immediate action to ensure their properties meet the required standards, focusing on key compliance areas and adopting a proactive management approach. This will not only help in avoiding financial penalties but also in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of tenants." Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty stated: 'I'm pleased with this outcome, which clearly reinforces the importance that tenants deserve to live in safe and well managed properties. This action by the court and through civil penalty notices issued by the Council should be a warning to other landlords to check they are meeting all their obligations. 'Negligent landlords who put tenants' health and safety at risk have no excuse to abandon their legal duties. Residents of Salford living in HMOs can be assured that the council will take action against landlords and agents who don't stick to the rules.' A HMO can be a bedsit, shared house or flat occupied by more than one household and more than two people, with shared kitchens or bathrooms. If you are a landlord of an HMO you need to have a licence. Apply to Salford City Council for an HMO licence. Student-Haus said: "Student-Haus has fully cooperated with the investigation and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to the three offences relating to HMO safety breaches. The court has taken into account our mitigation efforts, and we respect its ruling. The final penalty, comprising a £6,600 fine plus legal costs and victim surcharge, reflects a reduction (a suggested penalty of £20,000 - £24,999) based on early admission and cooperation as well as the fact that there was no financial gain to the company. "We regret that the necessary safety works were not fully completed by the time of the inspection. However, we had already commissioned critical fire safety improvements before the council's visit in November 2023. These included: upgrading fire doors with smoke and fire seals; enhancing fire safety in electrical units by installing fire-resistant materials; ensuring ongoing compliance checks for gas and electricity. "While some works remained incomplete at the time of the council's follow-up visit in February 2024, they were finished shortly after. We acknowledge that delays occurred, and we take full responsibility for ensuring our processes are strengthened to prevent future lapses. "The tenants residing at the property were not student tenants and we encountered significant access issues and resistance from occupants, including aggressive behaviour toward staff." They said they ensured regular safety inspections were carried out for gas and electrical systems; a working fire alarm was in place; and urgent works were commissioned before the council's inspection. But they added: "However, we recognise that the challenges in managing this property should have been addressed differently, and as of January 2025, Student-Haus has ceased managing this property. "As Salford council is adopting zero tolerance procedure when it come for HMO's to ensure full compliance and improve our service for all tenants, we have implemented enhanced property inspection protocols to ensure safety compliance is met ahead of deadlines; Increased training for staff on HMO regulations and proactive compliance measures.; stronger contractor oversight to ensure maintenance work is completed promptly and to the highest standard.; improved communication with tenants to facilitate better access for repairs and inspections." They said the matter had been taken "very seriously" and used as an opportunity to review and enhance its compliance and safety procedures across all properties. They added: "We remain committed to working with Salford council and our landlords closely ensuring safe and well-maintained accommodation for all tenants."
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Belfast: £200,000 support scheme for Sandy Row traders
A funding scheme worth £200,000 is being planned to support businesses in the Sandy Row area of south Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has offered the money to Belfast City Council for the scheme, BBC News NI have raised concerns over footfall due to the closure of Boyne Bridge and roadworks around the new Grand Central Station public transport Department for Communities (DfC) said the minister has approved a "revitalisation scheme" for the "improvement to business premises in the Sandy Row area". Drop in footfall The move follows city councillors backing a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) motion to set up a task force in an effort to support is understood the details of the "revitalisation scheme" are still being developed, but it is expected to involve grants being awarded to affected Boyne Bridge, which runs along Durham Street, was closed in October last year and work to remove it began the following closure was blamed, in part, for traffic congestion issues in the run-up to were protests against its demolition, as well as calls for compensation for Sandy Row traders addressed a council meeting in December to outline the issues, with one saying it had been "worse than Covid".DUP councillor Tracy Kelly, who proposed creating a task force, told a council committee the drop in footfall for businesses was "very concerning".She said she did not believe they were "going to make it if there isn't some intervention".The head of public transport operator Translink told a Stormont committee last month that DfC was setting up a working group to help businesses. Details of scheme to be finalised Chris Conway said they would be supported by "making sure their footfall gets back to normal as quickly as possible".In a statement, DfC said the DUP minister had decided to approve a revitalisation scheme for the Sandy Row area ahead of a future public realm scheme.A spokeswoman said that revitalisation schemes "normally follow on from the delivery of Public Realm Schemes". "In relation to the negative impact being felt by businesses on Sandy Row, the minister has approved the delivery of a revitalisation scheme in the Sandy Row area ahead of the proposed DfC public realm works," she added."This scheme will be delivered by Belfast City Council for improvement to business premises in the Sandy Row area and funding will be subject to the department receiving a formal application for funding and business case appraisal."A Belfast City Council spokeswoman said: "Council is continuing to engage with the Department for Communities with regard to a proposal for revitalisation funding for the area. The details of the scheme have not yet been finalised."
