Unfortunately, both Sinn Fein and the DUP saw this as somehow threatening and a criticism of their inaction at Stormont. The result was that they once again joined together as part of their Coalition within the Guildhall to stifle productive proposals.
Some of the amendments which they pushed through together were acceptable to the SDLP, such as reiterating that capital project plans must meet equality and procurement guidance. Given that Mark Durkan as Finance Minister was instrumental in setting up the Procurement Board and putting equality at the heart of it, that's our party's natural territory. But the fact remains that capital spending must be brought forward to keep jobs and stimulate the local building industry.
Once again, we saw an exercise in Sinn Fein attacking Margaret Ritchie. Any foreign visitor would think that she was the only Minister in the North, given the amount of attention Sinn Fein pay to her. Sinn Fein have a neck accusing her of cutting jobs in the community sector when organisations throughout the North West are awaiting a review by the Sinn Fein Minister for Education of what Neighbourhood Renewal groups they have responsibility for. That department got money after the Children's Fund was axed by Sinn Fein-DUP but it hasn't made its way to the groups. She told Mark Durkan MP in August a review would be done and we still await it – while many groups have had to close.
People will find it strange that Sinn Fein councillors try to blame Margaret Ritchie for deciding to cut some of the jobs, but don't mention her in terms of the jobs secured by a number of Sinn Fein councillors in this city. That is because they know the Minister doesn't take decisions on what jobs stay or go – and rightly so.
The ironic thing is that for all Sinn Fein's flawed criticism, Margaret Ritchie is the only Minister delivering anything for this town and district. Cllr Maeve McLaughlin suggests that Margaret be damned for building houses in Dove Gardens – even though she quite properly followed the guidance in existence when the contracts were issued in October 2007. Not a mention by Maeve of the successful Oakland Park development in Creggan either which employed local workers and delivered 40 excellent homes. Nor credit for her intervention in securing money for the footbridge – which will secure further investment of £13 million in the city and kick-start regeneration at Ebrington and city wide.
And all this at a time when Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitríona Ruane is overseeing a department where £11million worth of urgent repairs need to be done in Derry's schools! Local school children in classrooms with leaks in the roof while tradesmen face the dole queue – a disgraceful mismanagement. People must wonder what planet Sinn Fein are living in – it's not Planet Good Government that's for sure.
Cllr. Helen Quigley
SDLP