Lockhart appointed as NILGA president

Speaking following her appointment, Ald Carla Lockhart said: “Taking over the Presidency of NILGA is both a privilege and a challenge; the sector was in a very different place back in 2007 when I became a councillor.

“Eight years on, newly constituted local government is more powerful – yet, it has never been more stretched in terms of finances and resources.

“Embracing this challenge as NILGA’s President I will continue the pioneering and tireless delivery of results for Councils of NILGA’s past leaders, taking forward the Association’s Programme for Local Government, Entrepreneurial Region of the Year Award won for all of Northern Ireland, and the diverse work and campaigns. I say to each and every councillor, we are stronger together, a clear voice with 462 elected members working as one. NILGA will take on fully the future lobbying, development and sustainability needs of the local government sector and present a strong vision which puts local councils into the design and delivery of the next Programme for Government.

“The 11 new Councils collectively invest over £900 million per annum on vital services. We have over £1 billion in community based assets used by local people – right across our cities, towns and villages. We are accountable to local people. As President of NILGA, I will ensure that we bring investment into councils and develop the skills of members, forging partnerships with government, business, education and social partners to sustain the local economies of the future. A strong, enterprising local government association, fully embraced by our 11 councils, supporting and developing world class councillors - that’s my determined goal as NILGA’s President.”