Final call for nominations for Belfast’s Best Swim Teacher

Better, which operates 7 swimming pools at leisure centres in Belfast is calling for nominations for Belfast’s best swim teacher.

Pupils, parents and swimming professionals in Belfast are being invited to nominate a local swimming teacher, who has gone the extra mile and shown exceptional dedication and care through their teaching. 

The local winner will then be put forward to a national final, to be held at the prestigious London 2012 Olympic venue the London Aquatics Centre, in the autumn. 

A fantastic cache of prizes will be on offer to both regional and national winners including a range of swimming paraphernalia such as towels, goggles, bags, swimsuits and snorkels along with vouchers towards continuing professional development and training.

The initiative is the brainchild of leisure operator and charitable social enterprise, Better, which operates 7 swimming pools in Belfast across 14 leisure centres.

Better is the biggest provider of swimming lessons in the UK, employing over 1,400 swimming teachers and running more than 18,100 swimming lessons each week.

In Belfast, Better has 3650 pupils enrolled in its Swim School, teaching life skills and building confidence in the water.  

The Swimming Teacher of the Year Award is also being supported by the Swimming Teacher’s Association (STA) and Speedo, representatives of whom will make up part of the final judging panel.

Nominations are open until 30th June 2019 and can be made online at https://www.better.org.uk/swimming-teacher-awards  with more information available at your local leisure centres including Olympia, Whiterock, Falls, Shankill, Avoniel, Grove and Ballysillan.

Gareth Kirk, Director of GLL in Northern Ireland said:

“As the largest employer of swimming teachers, we felt it was only right to recognise the amazing work that they undertake, teaching people of all ages and abilities to swim. 

“We have some amazing swimming teachers here in Belfast and we are encouraging nominations from pupils and parents so that Belfast is well represented at the national final in London.

“Drowning remains the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK, so teaching this crucial life skill is genuinely important. 

“We urge anyone who has been inspired, enthused or encouraged by their swimming teacher to make a nomination and ensure their efforts are acknowledged.”

New NILGA President Calls for Share of £60m Support Fund Amidst Brexit Uncertainty and No Legislative Assembly

New NILGA President Cllr Frances Burton with outgoing President Cllr Dermot Curran and NILGA Chief Executive, Derek McCallan at the Northern Ireland Local Government Association AGM

The new President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) has called for Northern Ireland’s councils to be offered access to the £60m Brexit Support Fund, with similar funding being available to local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.

Speaking at her inauguration at the NILGA Annual General Meeting, which took place on Friday 21 June at the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, Councillor Frances Burton said that councils in Northern Ireland must have access to the Brexit Support Fund, which is worth around £60m.

In January, the Secretary of State for Housing, Local Government and Communities, and former NI Secretary of State, James Brokenshire MP, announced the Brexit Support Fund for councils in England, who will get £56.5m – between £35k - £210K each - to help them deal with Brexit. Additional funds will be given to areas that face the immediate impact, for example, areas with ports.

£10million will be kept aside to respond to costs that only surface after the UK has left the EU. This support fund is not available to councils in Northern Ireland, despite Northern Ireland’s unique situation as the only part of the UK with a land border with the European Union, together with the fact that regulatory services delivered by councils on matters such as environmental health and food hygiene certification are consistent with councils in Great Britain. 

Local councils are also limited by the types of powers that have been devolved to them. Most notably, urban regeneration powers have still not been devolved from Stormont to local government despite plans to do so.

Councillor Burton has called for greater powers with resources to be devolved to councils, so they can deliver community-based services like preventative health, a review of the councillor’s code of conduct and the setting up of an independent panel to explore the expansion of devolution below Stormont.

Speaking at the NILGA AGM, Councillor Burton, the new President of NILGA said:

“NILGA was, is, and will be driven, not by party politics or opposing ideologies, but by a desire to make real and concrete changes that will benefit everyone in our communities.”

“NILGA has a proud history of constructively bringing forward proposals, solutions and consultation responses on matters as complex and important as waste management, business rates and Brexit. I intend to continue that work because local government has an important role to play in dealing with the difficult problems facing Northern Ireland.”

“In order to reach our full potential, local government must be provided with greater neighbourhood powers and more funding, to give us the capacity to provide services targeted locally to those who need them most. There must be a full review and strengthening of council powers and in the immediate term, councils, working in conjunction with Government departments, should receive appropriate Brexit readiness resources and investment to help prepare businesses and communities for the future. It is vital that devolved and local government collaborates through a joined-up approach to deliver the best exit preparations across Northern Ireland”.

“We’re at the beginning of a new mandate facing a difficult, complex but exciting four years. Northern Ireland has remarkable resources, talented people and incredible potential. Local government has a vital role to play in helping us all to achieve that potential and NILGA will work tirelessly to help ensure we do so.”

“There are exciting opportunities ahead for Northern Ireland, including the two city deals in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, however there are also challenges ahead. Northern Ireland’s councils have proven that they are capable of meeting those challenges in a dynamic and collegiate way, for example, clearing the planning backlog since planning powers were devolved in 2014.”

Councillor Frances Burton, the new President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association

Chief Executive of NILGA Derek McCallan said:

“Councillor Burton has been elected as President of NILGA today and I am looking forward to working closely with her and the 11 councils at member and officer level in this four-year term.”

“Each of the 462 newly mandated councillors have been elected by their constituents to work together to provide efficient and effective public services, locally. All public services should be more locally designed and focused. As the only democratically elected functioning bodies in Northern Ireland, councils have an important role to play in Northern Ireland.”

“I welcome Councillor Burton’s call for Northern Ireland councils to be able to access Brexit Support Funding in the proportionate way that councils in the rest of the UK are able to. Beyond that, it is also important that a review is carried out to strengthen the powers & finances of local government across Northern Ireland, in view of the continued focus on community planning as the 11 engines of sustainable growth in NI now and for future generations.”

Outgoing President of NILGA Cllr Dermot Curran added:

“It has been an honour to serve as President of NILGA over the last year. I am proud of how we have sought solutions to difficult problems in a positive and proactive way.”

“I am proud of how we brought ideas to deal with the problems facing Northern Ireland and we presented them, to the Secretary of State Karen Bradley, to Brexit Ministers and to the Irish Government. NILGA has continued to make sure that the voice of local government is heard at the very highest level of decision making.”

“In the last year, we have seen the agreement for the introduction of two city deals in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. Local government is at the very heart of these game-changing deals that will revolutionise the Northern Irish economy.”

“I have worked closely with all the team at NILGA and I would like to thank them for their efforts over the past year. I leave my role as President in good hands with a talented team and I wish Councillor Burton all the very best.”

New NILGA President Cllr Frances Burton with outgoing President Cllr Dermot Curran at the Northern Ireland Local Government Association AGM

Inspire crowns winners in Workplace Wellbeing Awards

Presenters of the awards GAA Legend, Oisin McConville and former broadcaster Wendy Austin along with Chair of Inspire Finola O’Kane and Director of Professional Services, John Conaghan.

Inspire Workplaces hosted a dazzling awards ceremony last night to celebrate the importance of building positivity, resilience and mental wellbeing at work.

The event was organised to recognise the efforts made by many organisations that go the extra mile to safeguard and nurture the mental health and wellbeing of employees.

The awards ceremony, which is in its second year, took place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel and was hosted by legendary broadcaster Wendy Austin and special guest, GAA legend Oisin McConville.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service was awarded with a special recognition award for its long-standing and ground-breaking commitment to employee wellbeing.

John Conaghan, Director of Professional Services at Inspire said:

“We are thrilled to host these awards and acknowledge the organisations that are going above and beyond the call of duty to promote staff strength and wellbeing at work.

“The awards are a celebration of those workplaces across NI who invest in the wellbeing of their staff. Nominees came from all sectors across the region. They showcase those special places to work, where it really is okay not to be okay and where wellbeing is the top of the agenda.

“We are especially pleased to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. NICS have been working in partnership with Inspire Workplaces for over 13 years and have shown an unwavering and, indeed increasing, commitment to the mental wellbeing of their staff team.

“With such a diverse workforce it is both important and impressive to see a strong commitment to employee wellbeing clearly and publically demonstrated from the very top of the Civil Service and it was our genuine pleasure to present them with this award.”

Speaking at the awards, Oisin McConville, who became a mental health champion following his gambling addiction said:

“As a person who suffered with addiction, I can’t stress enough the need for people to have somewhere to go where they can discuss their issues and feel like they have a safe place to get help. The Workplace Wellbeing Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise those organisations who understand that it isn’t just a job, and that they must look out for the wellbeing of staff in order to get the best out of them professionally.

“When I was in the midst of my addiction, I didn’t feel like I could speak to anyone, and having that support system in my place of work may have meant I got the help I needed faster. It is fantastic that this is changing and workplaces are supporting their employees in their emotional wellbeing.”

The winners for each category were:

Excellence in Public Sector Workplace Wellbeing:

North West Regional College

Excellence in Large Private Sector Workplace Wellbeing:

Lagan Group

Excellence in Small Private Sector Workplace Wellbeing:

C3 Fitness

Excellence in Voluntary, Community or Social Enterprise Workplace Wellbeing:

USEL

Excellence in Local Government Workplace Wellbeing:

Police Service of Northern Ireland – Occupational Health and Wellbeing Team

Outstanding Employee Led Initiative

Queen’s University Belfast

Workplace Wellbeing Innovation Award

Joint Winners – Police Service of Northern Ireland and Northern Health and Social Care Trust Equality Unit

Promoting a Positive Wellbeing Culture

Police Federation for Northern Ireland

Outstanding Leadership:

Peter McBride

Lifetime Achievement Award

Northern Ireland Civil Service

After the Local Government Elections – Our Programme for Government must have greater local focus and investment, through Councils

By Derek McCallan, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Local Government Association

Following the local government elections at the start of May, the 11 Council Chambers across Northern Ireland are now filled with some experienced and quite a few new faces. The 462 Councillors that were elected are now in situ and settling into the world of local democracy, planning the future of our cities, towns and villages, renewed and refreshed for both the opportunities and challenges that await them for the next 4 years. This is a new mandate and a new time for local government in Northern Ireland.

This is the first full term since the reform of local government in 2015 and offers new opportunities and serious resource management decisions for Councillors and Councils to step up to the plate, provide solutions and work on behalf of everyone, with much stronger partnerships required with the rest of government politically and financially.  

Councils have been working hard to ensure that Northern Ireland is an attractive place to do business and to live, and have increasingly been at the forefront of enterprise here. They are well placed to show that despite the deep freeze at Stormont, Northern Ireland is open for business and Councils will continue to work to attract investment, including seeing both the Belfast and Derry-Londonderry City Deals through to fruition.

No matter what the situation is with the Assembly and Executive, local government continues to deliver for people and local communities. This has been the case for nearly three years of stalemate, and it will certainly be no different in this mandate. However, our local councils have limited powers and very limited resources – investing less than £1 billion per annum of N. Ireland’s £21 billion public purse. A whole system review of public sector finances is needed here and in the absence of Ministers the public – industry, social economists, the voluntary sector – are working with NILGA to deliver new ideas which are exciting, locally led, and will not be subject to institutional bureaucracy. 

Combined with the fresh thinking and enthusiasm of the new mandate, Councils with a growing partnership of co-investors can be the vehicles for change in Northern Ireland and have a crucial role to play in creating places that attract entrepreneurs. They also contribute to developing and sustaining thousands of new jobs across Northern Ireland and keep our much needed public services running. However, to enable Councils to carry out such functions, it is imperative that Councils deliver during this mandate with stronger financial support from the government departments seeking delivery by and through councils. Local government is not an add on, not anymore, so it should be treated as a pivotal partner, particularly through community planning investment and receiving the requisite funds for the many roles it delivers for our government partners.

Councils are being asked to deliver on more, but with no additional resources to reflect the increased asks. This year alone, event traffic management, which has been transferred to Councils, is costing around £900,000 per year, but the budgets are not being offered to help and deliver.  

This is why a review of local government in Northern Ireland – including how it is financed and performance measured - is required. It is important that we challenge the status quo and appreciate that Councils are being asked to deliver on increasing demands without the financial support to back it up. Councils in Scotland and Wales are responsible for 27% of public spending, compared to local government here only being responsible for 4%. It is incomprehensible that we continue to lag behind the other devolved regions even in terms of an institutional shift to getting greater devolution to communities, through councils, on matters like climate change, regeneration and local transport. Community planning is a great model and brilliant data has been brought together in each council, but – and it is a big but – don’t expect Community Planning to work fully until every relevant part of government takes a significant part of its annual and longer term budgets and invests in each of the 11 community plans. That’s not radical, it happens everywhere else. Not doing this is continuing silos and continuing our region’s competitive disadvantage.

There are some critics who will say that Councils are not fit for such things but the track record of delivery for local people in local places cannot be ignored. I travel across NI with public servants, politicians and other visitors from Manchester, Dublin, Cornwall and continental Europe and they marvel at the community hub, park, preventative health and leisure facilities existing and planned, together with the innovative yet prudent approach to financing them. However, the facilities must be affordable as well as high quality and must be managed competently by councils and the community itself. Taking this example, Councils are capable and are certainly up for the challenge, but this must be met with the skills development & resources to enable them to do the job. With the beginning of the new term, the time has never been so apt to see a greater devolution of powers and matching resources for local government here.

NILGA has a group of strategic business, community and environmental partners jointly committed to making Northern Ireland a truly sustainable and successful place, with the councils at the hub of change. With other partners joining us weekly, it’s a challenging time but an exciting period ahead.

Trade NI launches in Belfast ahead of major Westminster event

(Left to right) Colin Neill, Hospitality Ulster, Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI and Glyn Roberts, Retail NI.

Trade NI – the new alliance between Hospitality Ulster, Manufacturing NI and Retail NI - has laid out its priorities for the future of the Northern Ireland economy today at its launch in Belfast, ahead of a major event in the House of Commons on 11th September. The group is extending an invitation to the wider business community at the launch event to the ‘Northern Ireland day’ in Westminster. 

The grouping, made up of the three largest sectors of industry and the majority of businesses in Northern Ireland, has said that any incoming Northern Ireland Executive must set out to increase the productivity of the NI workforce; reduce the regulatory burden on business; increase the skills base; and deliver a clear economic strategy for Northern Ireland.

The alliance, who have been supported by the likes of Heathrow Airport, Danske Bank and Flybe outlined its aims at its launch in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast, to an audience of business leaders from across Northern Ireland.

The launch of the alliance comes at a time when there is continued uncertainty around Brexit; a two-year hiatus of the Assembly and Executive at Stormont; forthcoming changes to the UK Cabinet and Prime Minister; and a looming General Election.

In a joint statement, the representatives of Trade NI, Colin Neill (Hospitality Ulster), Stephen Kelly (Manufacturing NI) and Glyn Roberts (Retail NI) said:

“Northern Ireland is facing huge economic and political challenges ahead with Brexit, no Assembly, and a rapidly changing global economy. Trade NI will seek to give leadership on behalf of our three sectors and provide new policy solutions to creating a modern local economy.”

“The paralysis that has been created with the lack of an Assembly and Executive has developed a situation where very little has been done to address the needs of our sectors or the economy at large.” 

“The shift of power from Stormont to Westminster means that we must press decision makers there to implement policies and make legislative changes that will help grow Northern Ireland. Our local economy and businesses have taken a back seat and we simply cannot afford that situation any longer.”

“Our three organisations represent most of the businesses that make up private sector jobs in Northern Ireland. Therefore, a louder voice needs to be heard on their behalf so that they don’t suffer in the wake of the local political issues. We want a reboot of the economic policy of Northern Ireland, in order to benefit our economy and safeguard our growing business community.”

They added:

“Last year we held a NI business reception with over 250 people that brought together the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Lords, Ministers and key political influencers in Westminster to bring focus to Northern Ireland issues.”

“This was a great opportunity to be able to discuss the key concerns of the business community with national political decision makers and help them understand the priorities needed for Northern Ireland, and to promote Northern Ireland as a great place in the United Kingdom to locate or start a business.”

“The event this year will be used, in a time of change and transformation of the government, to make sure that Northern Ireland is on the agenda at the highest level, and to make sure we don’t fall by the wayside when it comes to decisions on economic policy. Trade NI will also be launching its ‘Northern Ireland 2040’ document setting out a bold new, long term vision for our economy.”

“The alliance wants to work with all business organisations, chambers of commerce, trade unions and voluntary sector representation to create a new progressive partnership for change in Northern Ireland.”

(Left to right) Conor Lambe, Chief Economist, Danske Bank (Sponsor), Colin Neill, Hospitality Ulster, Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI, Glyn Roberts, Retail NI, and Ken Harrower, Country Manager, Ireland Flybe (Sponsor).

Kevin Kingston, Chief Executive of Danske Bank, the main sponsor of Trade NI’s forthcoming Westminster reception, said:

“Danske Bank is proud to back Trade NI, who are contributing to the ongoing education of Westminster politicians on Northern Ireland and the evolving business landscape of the region. Northern Ireland has a strong business community and should be considered across the United Kingdom as a thriving business hub for the global market.”

“The vitality of the private sector is imperative to the strength of the Northern Ireland economy. We must ensure Northern Ireland businesses are well positioned to be able to compete in the post-Brexit environment. We will continue to work alongside the Trade NI alliance and other key influencers to make sure that Northern Ireland, as a constituent part of the United Kingdom, remains a key priority at Westminster.”

Call for one motivated young speaker to take to the red spot at TEDxStormont – Application deadline fast approaching

Talk like TED Pic 1: (From left to Right): Siobhan Broderick, Urban Villages Initiative, Beth Vance, Urban Villages Participant, Eva Grosman, TEDxStormont Curator, Clare Bailey, MLA, Selina Wallace, Smarts

An exciting initiative has been launched for young people aged 16-24 in the designated Urban Villages areas in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry in the run up to TEDxStormont taking place at the end of August.

The unique ‘Talk like TED’ experience, brought by the Executive Office’s Urban Villages Initiative, is an opportunity for a number of young people to learn the skills and qualities of delivering a persuasive presentation, and the ability to influence through communication. The deadline for applications has now been extended to 19 June due to demand.

Supported by the global PR and Content agency, Smarts, the programme is a series of training workshops, delivered by former broadcaster Sarah Travers and Camilla Long taking place at Ulster University’s Belfast Campus throughout July and August.

Participants will then have the chance to showcase their ideas to a panel on 8 August at the Long Gallery, Stormont where one young speaker will be selected to deliver their TEDx talk during the main TEDxStormont event on 31 August.

Applications will only be accepted from the Urban Villages Initiative designated areas in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. Participants can apply through Survey Monkey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y2FVD9V.

This programme by the Executive Office’s Urban Villages Initiative will challenge those taking part to create ideas around one of the initiatives three key aims: Fostering Positive Community Identity; Building Community Capacity and Improving the Physical Environment.

Mark Browne, Director of Strategic Policy, Equality and Good Relations, The Executive Office, said:

“This is a really exciting programme that will allow the young people from across the Urban Village areas to show off their talents and ideas. One participant will be selected to have the chance to amplify their voice on the bigger TEDxStormont stage on 31 August to an audience of over 200 guests on the day, with many thousands online.”

“The purpose of the Urban Villages Initiative is to improve good relations and help develop thriving places in designated areas where there has previously been a history of deprivation and community tension.”

“Through this unique opportunity we are asking participants in the 16-24 age bracket how they can use the core aims of the programme to shape a talk which captures the imagination of the panel of judges, following a series of media training workshops with the young people across the summer.”

“Without doubt, this programme of activity will allow the participants to build their confidence and hone what they really have to say to a whole new audience.”

Selina Wallace, Brand Director at global PR and content agency Smarts added:

“As a big supporter of TEDxStormont we are thrilled to be taking part, not just at the event on the day, but as part of the wider youth programme led by Urban Villages.”

“We are really looking forward to seeing what the selected participants have to offer and how our team can use our professional skills and expertise to help them shape their message and delivery.”

“We’ll be creating a few surprises along the way to help inspire the students and will also offer the winning speaker the chance to come to Smarts and be part of our mentorship programme so that they have the opportunity to develop their talents even further at one of the UK and Ireland’s most successful agencies.”

TEDxStormont set to return to Parliament Buildings

Launching TEDxStormont 2019: Naomi Majury, Allstate, Conor Aiken, Herbert Smith Freehills, Siobhan Broderick, Urban Villages NI, Eva Grosman, TEDxStormont Curator, Clare Bailey MLA, Selina Wallace, Smarts and Mark Whyte, Belfast Live.

TEDxStormont is set to return to Parliament Buildings on 31st August with a stellar line up of 18 speakers from varied backgrounds such as journalism, music, business and the arts.

The daylong event, compered by Presenter and Broadcaster William Crawley, is expected to see 200 guests fill the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings with a larger than ever online following.

In a fitting tribute to murdered journalist and former TEDxStormont 2017 speaker, Lyra McKee, her sister Nichola Corner and friend Stephen Lusty will take to the red spot.

Since its inception, the TEDxStormont series of talks have been viewed over 5 million times with Lyra McKee’s talk on religious and social intolerance viewed almost 150,000 times alone.

Started as a four-day conference in California in 1984, TED and the TEDx programme has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives such as TEDxStormont which has now run eight live events in the series.

The overall theme of TEDxStormont 2019 is “Imagine” – with speakers looking forward and imagining the kind of future we could have together as a society, here in Northern Ireland and beyond.

TEDxStormont 2019 speakers being announced today include:

Session 1:

1. Laura Banks - Lawyer, Mum, Social Justice Advocate

2. Connor Kerr - Creative Activist and Campaigner. Co-Founder Another World Belfast. 

3. Duncan Morrow - Academic and Community Activist

4. Orla McKeating - Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Collaborator

5. Amanda Campbell - VP, Founder and Strategist

6. Joe Nawaz - Thoughtful, reckless, contradictory

Session 2:

1. Jess Dornan Lynas - Storyteller, Tech-Founder, Creative

2. Stephen Lusty - Technologist, Entrepreneur, Samaritan

3. Fergal McFerran - Activist, Uncle, Optimist

4. Siobhan O’Neill - Scientist, Mental Health Advocate and Mother

5. Nichola Corner - Spiritualist, Courageous and Loyal

6. Alice McCullough - Writer, Performer, Artist

Session 3:

1. Tim Brundle - Director of Research and Impact

2. Una Jennings - Copper, mummy and multitasker

3. Colin Davidson - Contemporary Artist

4. Deepa Mann - Kler - Artist, Technologist and Author

5. Saul Betmead - Creative strategist. Part-time behavioural scientist. Test & learner

Launching the speakers today, Eva Grosman, Curator of TEDxStormont 2019 said:

“TEDxStormont 2019 has really captured the imagination and we can certainly feel the excitement building ahead of the event at the end of August.” 

“The backdrop of the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings is apt after a long period of political paralysis. The speakers lined up will help us to imagine that a new way forward is possible.”

“This year, as part of the speaker event, we will be working with The Executive Office Urban Villages Initiative and running a ‘Talk like TED’ youth training programme. The young participants from five Urban Villages areas will take part in a series of workshops in the weeks leading into TEDxStormont at the end of August. One finalist will be selected to take to the stage at Stormont and deliver their TEDx talk.”

“This is a really exciting element and shows that this is not just a one-off event but acts as a catalyst for other projects and programmes that are community based and allows for young people with great ideas to have those ideas amplified to a huge audience.”

She added in relation to TEDxStormont 2019 as a tribute to Lyra McKee:

“We were truly shocked when we heard of Lyra’s untimely passing. The response that we got from her striking talk in 2017 was phenomenal. Her passion and desire for creating a better Northern Ireland shone through and her talk on religious and social intolerance has stayed with us all to this day.”

“We are humbled that Lyra’s sister Nichola and close friend Stephen will take to the red spot and deliver their individual talks. This will be emotional for us all, but we want to make sure we can provide the platform to help carry forward Lyra’s message.”

TEDxStormont 2019 has been backed by The Executive Office Urban Villages Initiative; global PR and Content Agency, Smarts; international law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, Ulster University, Allstate and Belfast Live.

Tickets can be purchased at https://getinvited.to/cdpb/tedxstormont19/ with further updates on Twitter @TEDxStormont and www.tedxstormont.com/

Conservative Party Leadership Contest: Key Dates

Theresa May will resign as leader of the Conservative Party today, and the competition to replace her will officially begin next week.

Eleven Conservative MPs have so far put their names forward. The Conservative Parliamentary party will vote to whittle the candidates down to a final two and the winner will be chosen by a vote of the Conservative Party membership.

A new Prime Minister is expected to be selected by the week beginning 22 July.

Below are some key dates and information on the contest:

• Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown has been chosen as the contest’s accounting officer.

• Monday 10 June: MPs who want to stand must submit their nomination papers to the 1922 Committee between 10am and 5pm. Each candidate must have a proposer, a seconder and the backing of six other MPs. The full list of candidates will be announced at 5.30pm.

• Thursday 13 June: The first ballot will be held between 10am and 12pm. Candidates will need to win 5% of the vote (17 MPs). MPs who don’t meet the minimum requirement will be eliminated. If all MPs meet the minimum requirement the one with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated.

• Tuesday 18 June: The second ballot will be held, candidates will need to win 10% of the vote (33 MPs). Candidates who don’t receive the backing of the minimum number will be eliminated. MPs who don’t meet the minimum requirement will be eliminated. If all MPs meet the minimum requirement the one with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated.

• Tuesday 18 June: First televised debate on BBC 1 at 8pm. Channel 4, Sky News and ITV are also in talks with the candidates to arrange televised debates.

• 19 and 20 June: Further ballots will be held as necessary to eliminate candidates until only two candidates are left.

• Week beginning 22 July: Conservative party members are expected to be required to submit their votes by 5pm on 22 July. The new leader of the Conservative Party will be announced and Theresa May is expected to go to the Queen and recommend the winner be asked to form a government.

Hospitality Ulster reacts to latest tourism statistics

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

Reacting to the latest tourism statistics Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster commented:

“We welcome the news today that tourism in Northern Ireland has continued to grow with 5 million trips from all markets, including a record breaking 591,000 trips from the Republic of Ireland, creating £968 million revenue for the NI economy.”

“The tourism industry is vitally important to the Northern Irish economy and the hospitality sector is the cornerstone of our tourism offer. People travel here to enjoy our culture and our craic in our world class pubs and restaurants.”

“These figures show that the potential for tourism in Northern Ireland is huge, but to achieve that potential our industry needs support including, to begin with, common sense reform of our outdated licensing laws, reform of business rates and VAT. Our hospitality sector has helped drive record levels of tourism in Northern Ireland with one hand effectively tied behind its back, imagine what we could achieve if we were given the tools to do the job properly.”

Wendy and Oisin team up for Inspire’s Workplace Wellbeing Awards

Broadcaster Wendy Austin teams up with Inspire’s Director of Professional Services John Conaghan, and former GAA star Oisin McConville to launch Inspire’s Workplace Wellbeing Awards. The awards celebrate employers who champion resilience and wellbeing at work and will take place on Thursday 20 June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Former GAA star and mental health champion Oisin McConville will team up with broadcaster Wendy Austin for the second annual Inspire Workplace Wellbeing Awards.

The event champions innovation and commitment to wellbeing at work, by employers who believe in protecting and nurturing the mental health and wellbeing of employees.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 20 June in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast.

Hosted by broadcaster Wendy Austin, it will celebrate excellence in teamwork, wellbeing and support in workplaces across Northern Ireland, and will feature a special live interview with former GAA star Oisin McConville, about his footballing career and his own personal battle with a gambling addiction.

Speaking today, Oisin McConville said:

“Looking after the emotional wellbeing of employees is something that all employers need to be aware of, especially at a time where we are trying to encourage more openness about mental health and wellbeing.

“My own mental health battle left me feeling very isolated because I felt like I could not discuss it openly and kept it very much hidden from my team mates and colleagues. Today thankfully, things are changing.

“For employers to place an emphasis on the wellbeing of their team is something to celebrate and champion so that it might inspire similar action in other organisations. Building and supporting resilience in teams should be a combined effort.

“It’s an honour for me to be able to participate in Inspire’s Workplace Wellbeing Awards this year.”

Broadcaster Wendy Austin said:

“As a business broadcaster, I talk to so many people about their businesses and organisations and what makes them successful.

“One emerging theme we see now is increasing talk about resilience and mental wellbeing in the workplace.

“In today’s very competitive business world, employers understand that the wellbeing of their workforce will have an impact on the wellbeing of their business and that means supporting employees and their mental health.

“It’s so encouraging to see Inspire recognise those employers who are already doing this, and I hope it encourages similar action by others.”

John Conaghan, Director of Professional Services at Inspire, added:

 “These awards, now in their second year, are an important public celebration of employers’ commitment to employee resilience and wellbeing.

 “We launched our first ever awards in 2018 and the response this year when we opened nominations was phenomenal. So many organisations are putting the wellbeing of their employees at the heart of what they do, and it is encouraging to see the transformative effect that this is having in various workplaces.

 “At Inspire Workplaces we have over 20 years’ experience in working with companies from across Ireland who have shown the value they place on their staff by investing in wellbeing, and we see the change that makes every day.

 “The awards give us the opportunity to recognise employers that are going above and beyond the call of duty or doing something really innovative to improve and support a positive and resilient workforce. The more we celebrate approaches like this, the more they will become the norm.” 

 Eight awards categories will pay tribute to those organisations who have gone above and beyond in supporting positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Those nominated in each category are listed below:

Excellence in Public Sector Workplace Wellbeing:

• Belfast Met

• Northern Health and Social Care Trust

• North West Regional College

• PSNI

• SERC

• NI Social Care Council

• Education Authority

 Excellence in Private Sector Workplace Wellbeing – large organisation:

• Allstate

• Hughes Insurance

• Lagan Specialist Contracting Group

 Excellence in Voluntary, Community or Social Enterprise Workplace Wellbeing:

• Clanrye

• Job Assist Centre West Belfast

• Ulster Supported Employment Ltd.

 Excellence in Local Government Workplace Wellbeing:

• Antrim and Newtownabbey

• PSNI

 Promoting a Positive Wellbeing Culture:

• Ashton Community Trust

• HMRC

• HNH

• NI Water

• NIMDTA

• NI Blood Transfusion Service

• PFNI

• Queen’s University

• Seaview Primary School

• SERC

• Hughes Insurance

• My Pizza Slice Ltd

• JMG Systems

 Outstanding Employee Led Initiative:

• HMRC

• Queen’s University Belfast

• SERC

 Workplace Wellbeing Innovation Award:

• Leckey

• Musgrave

• Northern Health and Social Care Trust

• NI Water

• PSNI

• Queen’s University

• SERC

• Vital Nutrition

• Education Authority

Inspire will also award a Lifetime Achievement Award which will be chosen by the Inspire Workplaces Board.