Alderman Patricia McKinney, of the Democratic Unionist Party, was returned unopposed for a second consecutive term at the helm of the Borough Council at the annual meeting of the local authority last Thursday (June 27).

It had been widely expected that the DUP, which holds eight of the 17 seats on the council, would retain the Mayoral chain, although there is understood to have been some debate within the party as to which member should be nominated.

Before being nominated for another term of office, Alderman McKinney her first stint as Mayor would be “a year I will look back on with great fondness. I have tried to carry out my duties to the best of my ability.”

The First Citizen also thanked her deputy, Cllr Mark Cosgrove, fellow elected members, council officers and her daughter Tori, the Mayoress, for their support over the previous 12 months.

Ulster Unionist Cllr Darin Ferguson is the new Deputy Mayor, a role he also held in 2006-07.

An attempt by Cllr Sean Neeson to nominate Alliance representative Cllr Isobel Day for the post failed to find a seconder.

The DUP and UUP also continue their duopoly of the council standing committees. Alderman Billy Ashe (DUP) continues as chairman of the Development Services committee, which oversees the local authority’s largest department, for an eighth year, with Alderman David Hilditch (DUP) as his deputy.

Cllr Jim McClurg (DUP) remains chairman of the Chief Executive’s Office, with Cllr Cosgrove deputising. Alderman May Beattie (DUP) also retains her position as chairperson of the Support Services committee, with Cllr Lynn McClurg (DUP) as deputy.

Two committees have new chairs: Cllr Louise Marsden (DUP) takes the helm of the Building Services committee, with Cllr Roy Beggs (UUP) as vice chairman, while Cllr Eric Ferguson (UUP) returns to the chair of the Environmental Services committee, with Cllr Terry Clements (DUP) as vice chairman.