Statement by TUV Mid Ulster chairman Glenn Moore:
“In light of the fact that the local elections were only a matter weeks ago I am sure I am not the only Mid Ulster resident to be surprised that I had forgotten parties going round suggesting that one of their first actions in the new council term would be to seek ratepayer funded umbrellas for councillors. Of course that didn’t feature in any local election manifesto but that didn’t prevent a local Sinn Fein councillor inquiring about when the council would replenish their supply of umbrellas for councillors at a recent committee meeting. Remarkably he was assured by officials that they would “sort out” the issue.
“I appreciate that councillors have to hold meetings outside on sites but many ordinary working people have to perform similar tasks – and they do so more often than not while using their own umbrellas which they have purchased out of their wages!
“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.”