PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDLP MLA BURNS: ANTRIM BOROUGH COUNCIL RESHUFFLE IS ‘FAIR DEAL’

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns said that the agreement reached at Antrim Borough Council’s AGM represents a ‘fair deal for all the parties’. The voluntary arrangement will see independent Oran Keenan installed as mayor and UUP representative Adrian Watson assume the role of deputy mayor.

He said: “I want to pay tribute to my friend and colleague Oran Keenan and congratulation him on his elevation to Mayor of Antrim. He has been a hard-working councillor for over 20 years and he very much deserves this.

“I am sure he will work very well with his deputy Adrian Watson over the next year and together they will serve all the people of Antrim as best they can. They have established a good relationship over the past year and I see no reason for this not to continue.”

He added: “It is also good to see the committee chairs being divided up fairly amongst the parties. This type of power sharing represents the way forward and I am sure the people of Antrim will be glad to see it. Every party with a mandate should be given the chance to show what they can do. At the end of the day we are all answerable to the electorate and if people don’t perform they will be held accountable by the people.”

ENDS