By Rosetta Donnelly

Although the public hearings on the Reform of Public Administraiton (RPA) recommendaitons were to be restricted to 'nip and tuck' proposals and finding a name for the new entity, this week's session in Omagh was almost taken over by impassioned pleas for the inclusion of Strabane district in the same 'super-council' structure as Omagh and the rest of Tyrone.

The hearing was designed to provide a forum for public discussion of the provisional recommendation of Local Government Boundaries Commissioner Dick Mackenie, the names and boundary of the proposed West District Council and the number, boundaries and names of its constituent wards.

The proposed West Council includes Cookstown, Dungannon and South Tyrone, Omagh and Fermanagh district councils and, despite attempts by speakers to push the case for all of Strabane district to be included, assistant commissioner Kenneth Cathcart said it was not in his power to change the actual council structure, just tweak at wards.

Omagh Cllr Seamus Shields began the submissions in favor of Strabane's inclusion saying that Omagh has always enjoyed a close working relationship with the other Tyrone council.

"By keeping Strabane in the West, you are retaining the traditional integrity of the county," said Cllr Shields. "Up until 1973, Tyrone County Council was the ruling authority but that was changed to districts. Under this new set-up, the county is going to be divided and that is not good.

"There are numerous links between Strabane and Omagh, an example of which is the West Tyrone Area plan, the joint planning appeal on PPS 14 and Sperrin Tourism.

"I had the honour of chairing the RPA working group and the one key issue was the integrity of the county. I appreciate that from what you say that it is beyond your remit to change the new council structure, but it is vital that decision-makers understand the importance of counties to rural people."

Omagh Cllr Sean Begley of Sinn Féin said his party formally supported the seven county model.

"In terms of the carving up of the boundaries we are happy with the work you have done in carving up the 60 wards. They might not be exactly together but when we put them into DEA (district electoral areas), we can work on it."

Mr Begley said he also felt that Strabane should be included with the West.

"Where Strabane is situated, it falls easily in with either Omagh or Derry; so there are arguments in favour of both. We think it could be in a very precarious position if put in with the North West council."

For this reason, he said, Strabane council should not be broken up with wards such as Castlederg etc. going to another council.

Danny McSorley, chief executive of Omagh District Council, said the county town of Tyrone has a large public sector workforces. With a district population of over 50,000 the town was the main hub of activities. He said the brand new college and the technology innovation centre meant the town was well placed to take on any central administration role.

Mr McSorley spoke of the importance of the County Tyrone identity and said any new council would benefit tremendously by the inclusion of Strabane district. He told the hearing that there has existed a great working relationship with Strabane. He listedSperrin Tourism, Economic Development (WEST), TEDI, infrastructure projects such as PPS14, West Tyrone Rural, North West Passage, Sports/Leisure and an Irish language programme.

"There is a natural affinity with people of the Strabane area; they come to Omagh for schools, shopping, jobs, sport, cultural and sporting events."

The chief executive said there have been ties going back decades and Strabane Council had stated quite clearly a preference to be united with Omagh District Council.

Mr McSorley called on the Boundary Commission to revisit its decision, examine the evidence of natural affinity, natural catchments and traditional ties, undertake grassroots consultation with the people of the affected areas and re-draw the boundaries of the new West Council to include Strabane district.

Philip Faithfull, chief executive of Strabane Council did not make a submission to the Omagh hearing saying he had made one the week before in Derry.

However, he noted, "I have heard Strabane Council mentioned more often today than I did in the entire Derry hearing. This sums up our fears of losing our identity in an urban setting."