Lyons encourages everyone to celebrate history and culture at European Heritage Open Days 2025
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has launched the 28th annual European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) taking place Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September.
Ambition to Grow supports 250 local companies to reach new markets and create new jobs
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced that Ambition to Grow is helping over 250 companies to create good jobs and increase external sales.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive Board Member reappointments
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has reappointed Ms Pauline Leeson CBE and Mr Chris Welch as Members of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Board.
Ministers outline Executive priorities to Chancellor
The deputy First Minister and Finance Minister met with Chancellor Rachel Reeves in Belfast today to outline the Executive’s priorities and the importance of investing in public services to help deliver public sector transformation and drive economic growth.
Green leader in Darlington appointed to national Housing and Community role
Darlington Council Green Group leader Matthew Snedker has been appointed national Housing and Community spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wales.
Matthew has been pressing the case for more homes that are affordable and sustainable.
Matthew said:
“We need more homes for people that are affordable to rent or buy, and cheap to heat in winter and keep cool in ever-warmer summers.
“We need them built where we have good transport links and community facilities like schools and health centres.
“Instead, we have a government that wants to give developers a free hand to build for profit and trample over people’s needs for decent homes and green spaces at the same time.
“The Green Party has long pressed for the right homes, in the right place, at the right price and I’m delighted that as well as making that case here in the North East and will now be supporting our four MPs to make the case nationally.
“I know from my work as a councillor that people really want to build great communities and our local councils and national government can back them by providing decent homes.”
Short biography: Matthew Snedker led Darlington Green Party to its success in having 6 councillors now, and he is the council group leader. He has stood three times for the parliamentary seat of Darlington, most recently in 2024. He supports self-organising community groups, such as a Darlo Fit-it (a repair cafe) Darlovelo (Cycling advocacy) and Darlington for Peace (an interfaith peace and unity partnership). A patron of the Passivhaus trust, he advocates for affordable and sustainable public housing with an emphasis on developments with connections to services, education and employment.