THE exclusion of Strabane district from the new West Council has been causing grave concerns all of which were articulately put to Boundaries Assistant Commissioner Kenneth Cathcart on Monday.
The fear that Strabane Council could become "gobbled up" by the large Derry council was reiterated time and time again at the hearing in Omagh College.
Philip Faithfull, chief executive of Strabane Council did not make a submission to the hearing saying he had made one the week before in Derry.
"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".
The public hearing into the proposed West Local government district was held in the brand new Omagh College building.
The hearing was aimed at providing a forum for public discussion of the provisional recommendations of the local government boundaries commissioner, Dick Mackenzie as to the name and boundary of the new council and the number, boundaries and names of its constituent wards.
The planned new super council comprises the present council areas of Fermanagh, Omagh, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough and Cookstown.
Mr Cathcart made clear from the outset that he was not empowered to move councils back and forth across boundaries although the moving of wards could be addressed.
Danny McSorley, chief executive of Omagh Council said Omagh, as the county town of Tyrone, had a large workforce of public sector jobs. 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 role.
He spoke of the importance of the County Tyrone identity and any new super-council would benefit tremendously by the inclusion of Strabane Council. He told the hearing that there has existed a great working relationship with Strabane. Projects like Sperrin Tourism, Economic Development (WEST), TEDI, Infrastructure such as PPS14, West Tyrone Rural, North West Passage, Sports/Leisure and Irish Language programme.
"There is a natural affinity for people of Strabane area; they come to Omagh for schools, shopping, jobs, sport, cultural and sporting events.
He said there have been ties going back decades and Strabane Council had stated quite clearly a preference to be merged 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 grass roots consultation with the people of the affected areas, re-draw the boundaries of the new West Council to include Strabane Council.
The chief executive's comments were echoed by all of the other speakers.
Seamus Shields, SDLP councillor, Omagh, said the entity of the county of Tyrone was important and the inclusion of Strabane Council would make up more sense given it is in Tyrone. "Before 1973 we had Tyrone County Council which worked perfectly well," he added.
Sean Begley of Sinn Fein said his party approved the seven council model and he was "happy enough" with the way the wards were carved up. "We would however like to see Strabane in with Omagh Council. We don't think the council should be broken down into wards and portioned out between the West and the North West Councils. Strabane has links with Derry as well so I think it is natural that it should be chosen to go into the North West council.
