New Ulster Unionist mayor for Antrim and Newtownabbey

Currently, the ‘first citizen’ is Antrim DUP Alderman John Smyth.

His deputy is Sinn Fein’s Anne Marie Logue who represents Airport District Electoral Area.

Ald Smyth held the post of deputy mayor from 2018 until 2019.

The incoming dignitaries will take up office on July 27 when the council’s AGM will be held.

The Ulster Unionists last held the top post from 2018 until 2019 when Councillor Paul Michael was mayor.

The last SDLP deputy mayor was Glengormley Councillor Noreen McClelland who recently stepped down as party leader on council.

The AGM has been delayed since June due to the Covid pandemic.

In April, Department for Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey announced that councils could postpone their AGM’s until September 30.

Traditionally, a new mayor is selected in June.

The minister said that councils are permitted to postpone their annual meeting up to September 30 and hold other meetings as they consider necessary.

Provisions have been made for remote access to council meetings by members of the council and the public.

Information which generally has to be made available at council offices must now be made available on council websites.

The council says: “In normal circumstances, the annual meeting would take place each year at the start of June, however with Covid-19 the NI Executive permitted the delay of council annual meetings up until September”.

Antrim and Newtownabbey is believed to be one of the last local authorities in Northern Ireland to hold its AGM and select a new mayor.

Ald Smyth said: “It has been a great privilege to serve as the First Citizen of the borough. It is fitting to allow a new mayor to enter their term of office in front of their peers, and indeed a small number of family or friends.”

To comply with social distancing, the annual meeting will take place in the Theatre at the Mill at the Mossley Mill complex in Newtownabbey.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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