Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported on behalf of Aldermen Copeland and Haire and Councillors Carson, Groogan, Kyle, Mulholland, Newton, O’Hara, Pankhurst and Verner.

            The Chief Executive reported that requests had been received from a number of media companies to film the proceedings of the meeting. 

            The Council approved the requests.

            The Chief Executive informed the Council that, following the recent election of Mr. J. Finucane as a Member of Parliament, the position of Lord Mayor had become vacant.

            Mr. Finucane expressed his appreciation for the support which he had received from the Deputy Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff, the Sinn Féin Party and the other Members of the Council during his term as Lord Mayor. He thanked also those Council staff who had assisted him and wished the incoming Lord Mayor well in his new role. 

            Representatives of a number of the Political Parties on the Council paid tribute to the former Lord Mayor for the manner in which he had fulfilled his duties during his time in office.

            The Chief Executive explained that, in accordance with Schedule 1 paragraph 4(1) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, where a position of responsibility had become vacant before the end of the term for which it had been held, the nominating officer of the Political Party on whose behalf the previous incumbent had been nominated, could nominate, to hold the position of responsibility for the remainder of the term, a member of the Council who had stood in the name of the Party when elected.

            Councillor Beattie, as the nominating officer of the Sinn Féin Party, confirmed that Councillor Daniel Baker had been nominated to serve as Lord Mayor for the period to end on the date of the annual meeting of the Council in 2020.

            Accordingly, Councillor Baker was installed as Lord Mayor and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

(The Lord Mayor, Councillor D. Baker, in the Chair.)

            Councillor Baker paid tribute to the previous Lord Mayor, thanked his Political Party for nominating him to serve as Lord Mayor and confirmed that priority areas for his term in office would include young people, mental health awareness and community empowerment.