“When all is said and done, elections are about winning the votes and confidence of the people. I have now been a Councillor for the Victoria Ward of East Belfast for 22 years, topping the poll for the Ulster Unionist Party in June 2001 with 3300 votes – 1200 votes over the quota – the highest Ulster Unionist vote in Belfast and elected on the first count in 2005. Before, during and after my time as Lord Mayor, 1996 –97, I have considered it my duty to help the citizens of Belfast.
I have always believed that in concentrating our efforts on the three themes of inward investment, business development and community economic development we could provide the best opportunity to enhance the image of Belfast, to promote employment opportunities and simultaneously encourage greater access to employment.
The Belfast Waterfront Hall, opened by the Prince of Wales during my time as Lord Mayor, has been described as the most important civic development of the 20th Century in Northern Ireland and a symbol of the new Belfast. Its role as a catalyst for development cannot be underestimated, attracting investment to the Laganside site through the construction of the five star Hilton International Hotel and BT Tower through to the regeneration of St George’s market, the Gas Works site and the development of the Odyssey site in our own East Belfast heartland.
It is an excellent example of how the public and private sectors can work in partnership for the good of the city, and how the City Councils role as an enabler can work in practice. In the future the Waterfront Hall will continue to act as a major economic contributor to the city through its role in attracting major conference and business events.
As present Chairman of the Department of Health and Environment I have been to the forefront of the extension of the Gating of Alleyways Scheme. This scheme has been most successful in helping to reduce antisocial behaviour, burglaries and fear of crime in areas of Belfast where they have been installed. As well as making neighbourhoods feel safer, they are also helping to make Belfast cleaner. Making Belfast safer has been a priority as I am chairman of the Safer City Action Group, with its corporate plan including the Purple Flag Initiative, Retail Crimewatch, BAND/ISP or Belfast Against Night-Time Disorder/Information Sharing Protocol, Belfast Nite Zones, Be Rewarded and City Centre Policing. This will be the focal point of my campaign for re-election.
As the first chairman of the council's Arts Committee I have always been conscious that creative activity is an essential element in improving the quality of life. Belfast City Council’s arts policy states clearly our aspiration to work in partnership with a range of bodies, including the Arts Council, Probation Board and Health Trusts, to help the young, the elderly, the infirm and the most disadvantaged members of our society. At the same time I have actively promoted the Titanic Signature Project and the C S Lewis Centre at the Belmont Tower for East Belfast.
As a former Chairman of the Town Planning Committee I have also dedicated myself to preserving the built heritage of our great city, including Little Lea, C S Lewis' chidhood home, -a somewhat difficult task given the attitudes of Planners, not just in Belfast but also across the entire province. This is an issue which has been highlighted by the BBC’s “Restoration” programme, which despite its obvious flaws, has emphasised the need to protect our built heritage, while at the same time allowing for well considered and appropriate development to take place.
I have very much enjoyed my twenty two years in our Council. But I realise that the future belongs to the young. Belfast City Council is now entering a period of rapid change with Local Government Reform and we are also approaching a Decade of Centenaries. I think it is essential that guidance at this time to the already large numbers of new and inexperienced members be provided to ensure the efficient working of the Council, and as Honorary Historian of the Ulster Unionist Party that we play the major role in these events.
On 14th and 15th March, 2011, in the Waterfront Hall, the award winning satirical comedy “ The Screwtape Letters” will bring to life C S Lewis’ classic book, my favourite, in which a senior devil, Screwtape, instructs his junior apprentices on the ways of the world. Nigel Forde ensures his adaptation remains faithful to the original text, explaining the characters and themes explored by Lewis. As a devotee of Lewis, I would ask you to give this old devil an opportunity to instruct the young councillors who will inevitably be returned this time. And I welcome the opportunity of increasing the Ulster Unionist vote in East Belfast.
Thank you.”
Ed: Ian was re-selected as a candidate for the Ulster Unionist Party – see Adamson reselected, Wednesday, February 16. 2011.