Council Charter Award For Elected Member Development At Council

Newry Mourne and Down District Council was awarded re-accreditation of the Charter for Elected Member Development; three years after becoming the first cluster Council in Northern Ireland to be awarded the Charter for Elected Member Development.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said: “The Charter recognises the Council’s positive approach towards developing their Councillors and building their capacity and skills to embrace the challenges of local government reform.

Councillor Dermot Curran, Newry Mourne and Down District Council NILGA representative (vice chair) with Fiona Douglas (Policy Development Officer) present a charter certificate for elected member development to Council Chairperson Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick. Included is Liam Hannaway (Council Chief Executive), second right.

“This award also acknowledges the Council’s an ongoing commitment to learning and development which assists Elected Members not only to achieve the Council’s corporate goals and objectives, but also to excel in their role as leaders of their local communities.”

Councillor Fitzpatrick added: “I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the hard work and effort put in by the Elected Members and Officers to achieve this prestigious award. Learning and Development will continue to be a priority for our Council and we will maintain our commitment to work together with our Elected Members to build on this success”.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Councillor and NILGA Vice Chair, Councillor Dermot Curran with Fiona Douglas (NILGA Policy and Development Officer), centre, present a charter certificate for elected member development to the Chairperson of the Council, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick. Included are members of the working group, from left, Eileen McParland (Democratic Services Manager), Cllr Roisin Mulgrew, Catrina Miskelly (Assistant Director of Corporate Services), Cllr Charlie Casey, Cllr Harry Harvey, Cllr Terry Andrews, Helen McIlroy (L&D Manager) and Caroline Taylor (Democratic Services Officer).