Robin Newton MBE MLA

ROBIN Newton East Belfast Councillor and member of Belfast City Council Parks and Leisure Committee has described a proposed six day trip to Vancouver, Canada- “to smell the roses” as both unnecessary and tactless.

Robin Newton said,

“In these days of economic downturn and a need for Belfast City Council to watch every penny of expenditure, a visit to Canada to the World Federation of Rose Societies is something the members can give a miss.

The matter was on the agenda for last night’s meeting (Thursday 14 May) and having raised the matter of no delegation travelling to Canada I trust no Councillor will feel it is worth debate at full Council.

I don’t believe the ratepayers of Belfast, the unemployed, those made redundant or those on short time working would accept that it is absolutely necessary for a delegation of Councillors and officers to visit Canada, costing of £2283 per delegate, so that the sweet smelling roses in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park bloom better.”