Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council defer decision to lay-off staff

By Connor Stringer

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has deferred a decision to lay-off dozens of staff due to the coronavirus crisis.

It follows an intervention by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey who last night urged councils to "exhaust all options to protect workers".

46 of the 73 council workers due be axed tomorrow will be retained with a review in two weeks.  

Alan Perry is from the GMB union, which represents most of the workers on the council:

Alan Perry from the GMB speaking to Q Radio about the deferred decision.

The remaining 27 are employed through an agency and unions want the agency to make arrangements for them be furloughed.

It comes after Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey MLA, outlined the provisions put in place to enable each district council to hold meetings remotely in order for council business to safely proceed during the Coronavirus emergency.

Section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 provides the Department for Communities with a power to make Regulations regarding local government meetings.

The Regulations make provision to enable district councils to hold meetings remotely including by (but not limited to) telephone conferencing, video conferencing, live webcast and live interactive streaming.  

It will apply to all councils and all council meetings including committee or sub-committee meetings, executive meetings and joint committees of two or more councils.

Minister Hargey said: “These regulations that my Department has put in place will be welcomed by councils as it will enable them to proceed with their democratic business while meeting social distancing requirements.  This crisis has required new ways of working for many and these changes will enable councils to make the changes needed to ensure important business continues.”