Cllr. Ruth Brooks

4. This weariness is not new. Communities around Botanic Gardens have raised similar concerns for years. There needs to be a collective look at how major events are spaced across Belfast so that we are not spending the summer months closing facilities that young people rely on.

3. Titanic Quarter has submitted a formal planning application for its proposals, while no equivalent planning process exists for Ormeau Park. There is growing weariness in the local community about the cumulative impact of events on the park.

The suggestion that the Fleadh campsite was “singled out” is incorrect. My comments related to the overall length of time parts of Ormeau Park will be closed this summer to facilitate major events including 6 consecutive nights of Belsonic + 14 nights of Fleadh. 1/4

A really exciting day as Communities Minister @gordonlyons1 outlines his plans to bring forward a Disability Strategy which will: ✅ Establish a NI Disability Forum led by deaf & disabled people ✅ Wide representation across all disability sectors, incl. young people ✅ Reform the Disability Discrimination Act ✅ Explore full incorporation of the UNCRPD into law ✅ 2025–2035 Action Plan with annual updates #DisabilityStrategy ♿️

My announcement today:

Some background context required from our perspective when interpreting this frankly disingenuous tweet: There was also a period of Direct Rule between Jan 2017 - Jan 2020. It was the UK government that decided upon and funded the uplift of police numbers in that period as part of the Brexit process. 2020 saw the reformation of the Executive, the appointment of Minister Long, and the unfulfilled New Decade New Approach promise to bring the PSNI’s officer numbers up to 7500. Officer numbers then tumbled when the Executive dissolved again from October 2022 until February 2024. In early 2024 on the reformation of the Executive the PSNI had around 6300 officers but the decline has continued as on 1st October 2025 there are now 6190 officers (the lowest in PSNI’s existence). The forward facing recovery plan being attributed to Minister Long was actually developed and submitted by @ChiefConPSNI Both NIPB and DOJ were consulted and assisted with the compilation of the plan but it remains PSNI’s business case submission. With the ongoing dithering and delay by the Executive in funding this plan the suggested uplift trajectory on the graph is already behind schedule. That’s because Phaze 1 of the plan was supposed to start in April 2025 but still hasn’t been funded so numbers have continued to go backwards. Even if some of the required funding started tomorrow PSNI are now not going to be able to meet the first staging post of having 6500 officers in post by April 2026.

Tree down on the Albertbridge Road just up from Gordon’s Chemist. Fully blocking pavement.

Currently on the Newtownards Road between the Conn Club & McDonalds awaiting contractors to attend a dangerous building. The shutters are holding on to a rotting beam. Building Control here, just waiting for an emergency contractor. Pavement is closed off but please take care out there.

A windowsill has come away and smashed at the Shop4u on the Albertbridge. Thankfully nobody injured or worse. Doesn’t bear thinking.

DFI engineers en route to the traffic light at Connswater McDonalds that has come off its top bracket.

This security alert is over, with police scaling back their operations. Thank you particularly to the very kind folk in Albertbridge Congregational Church who went above and beyond to make sure that residents were supported.

Police are currently at the scene belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-n…

⚠️𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 I’m down in Woodstock Place where there’s an ongoing security alert at Victor Place. I understand that PSNI have found a suspicious device in a property and neighbouring streets have been told to evacuate. Albertbridge Congregational Church have kindly opened their doors to displaced residents who need shelter and a strong cup of tea.

The DUP Belfast City Council team are delighted to have secured £950,000 to deliver 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 works at 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲. Fernhill House was awarded a protected status in 2016, but repeated vandalism and years of neglect that left this historic building officially listed as ‘at risk’. Public frustration has rightly been high, with local residents and the DUP team wanting to see this proud landmark preserved and developed as a tourism asset that can showcase Glencairn at its best. This funding marks a significant step in safeguarding Fernhill House and unlocking its potential for the community and the city. Well done to my Court DEA colleagues @frankmccoubrey , @nicolaverner1 & Councillor Ian McLaughlin who have been working hard to ensure Fernhill House can be protected for generations to come.

Been raising this for some time now. Certification only looks at interior of property. We need the Economy Minister to urgently bring forward tighter legislation in this mandate. My area of Titanic is rife with unregistered Air BnBs. NIHE homes, later sold to a sitting tenant, before being sold on again … should not be an AirBnB during a housing crisis!

@chrisadonnelly He us the local MP - did I miss you condemning the threats made?

Very sorry to hear of a man’s death in Victoria Park. Thoughts are with his loved ones.

The derelict building at Welland Street is finally coming down. Demolition has begun, with lane closures on Newtownards and Albertbridge Roads this weekend. I’ve raised this issue repeatedly at Council and I’m glad to see action now underway. Thanks to our officers for pushing it forward.

Fantastic to get out on my first day as Lord Mayor and engage with so many young kids from Belfast who are part of BSCR moving up programme Well done everyone! Making friends, breaking down barriers, enjoying education 👏🏻 #noonegetsleftbehind #Education