Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins appoints Councillors to the Drainage Council
Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins has appointed a number of councillors to serve as non-executive members of the Drainage Council.
Councillors Callum Bowsie (DUP) and Philip Campbell (Sinn Féin) from Newry Mourne and Down District Council, were appointed with others from across Northern Ireland (who include Michael Goodman, Keith Kerrigan, and Mervyn Storey).
The appointments took effect from 1 May 2025 and will be for a maximum of four years.
Cllr Callum Bowsie
Callum Bowsie has been a councillor for Rowallane DEA in Newry Mourne and Down District Council since 2022. He currently sits on its Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee, and its Audit Committee.
As President of Crossgar Historical Society, Callum has a keen interest in local heritage and environmentalxa0issues affecting old settlements and the countryside. He holds no other public appointments.
Cllr Philip Campbellxa0xa0xa0xa0
Philip Campbell has been a Councillor for Downpatrick DEA on Newry Mourne and Down Council since 2023.xa0 He is currently a member of the Planning Committee and the Active Healthy Communities Committee.xa0
He is a nominated member of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust’s Area Integrated Partnership Board, and is also a Trustee of the River Quoile Trust. He holds no other public appointments.
Minister Kimmins said:xa0“I am pleased to announce the appointments of the Councillors to these roles.xa0
“The Drainage Council performs the hugely important scrutiny function of our drainage and flood defences across the North.
“I am confident that these appointments will maintain the high standard of work set by previous Members.”
The Drainage Council is a non-Departmental Public Body established under the Drainage (NI) Order 1973. Itxa0performs a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department’s drainage functions and has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage issues throughout the North.
This includes overseeing the impartial and consistent application of drainage and flood defence works, and, designating watercourses and sea defences for maintenance at public expense.
More on the Drainage Council.
The power to appoint members to the Drainage Council lies solely with the Minister for Infrastructure as stipulated under schedule 1 to the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 rather than the Department.xa0
The Department’s responsibilities include the management of flood risk. This involves undertaking watercourse and coastal flood management in a sustainable manner.
The Drainage Council exists to perform a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department’s drainage functions and has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage issues throughout Northern Ireland.
The Council’s membership is set out in legislation (Schedule 1 of the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973.
Altogether, the Drainage Council Northern Ireland consists of 10 representatives from local Councils, two ex-officio members who are officials within the Department and one ‘specialist’ representative for each of the following: drainage; agriculture; fisheries; industry; conservation; and tourism.
4. The appointments are non-remunerated.
5.xa0xa0The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Callum Bowsie, Mervyn Storey and Keith Kerrigan have declared that they have undertaken political activity on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party. Philip Campbell and Michael Goodman have declared that they have undertaken political activity on behalf of Sinn Féin.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
