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Writer's pictureMichelle Weir (Local Democracy Reporter)

Ballymena set to have its first Sinn Féin deputy mayor

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council headquarters

Mid and East Antrim will have its first Sinn Fein deputy mayor when the borough council holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday (June 3) evening.


The mayoral role will be held by the DUP during the second year of the council term.


Positions of responsibility are allocated in the borough in accordance with the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 using the d’Hondt method which is based on the number of seats parties have on the council. Sinn Fein has four councillors in the borough,



The first selection at the start of each new four-year term is made by the party which has the highest number of elected members, followed by the second largest party and so forth.


Commenting on the forthcoming deputy mayoral role for the party, Sinn Fein group leader Coast Road Councillor James McKeown said:


“It shows how much much things are changing not only in Mid and East Antrim but throughout the country.



“Sinn Fein is definitely without doubt the biggest party not only in the island of Ireland but here in the north. We are delighted that we eventually have such a position in Mid and East Antrim.”


Currently, the mayoral position is held by Alliance Coast Road Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna with TUV Ald Stewart McDonald as deputy.


The new chair of the Corporate, Resources, Policy and Governance Committee will be a TUV councillor; Alliance will chair the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee; DUP, Environment and Economy Committee; DUP, Planning Committee; DUP, Audit and Scrutiny; Ulster Unionist Party, Personnel Committee and Sinn Fein, Standards Committee.



At the AGM, other positions of responsibility and committee appointments will be agreed. Members will also have to approve the special responsibility allowance for 2024/25 and agree a meeting schedule for the next 12 months.

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