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Newry City Sinn Féin Councillor Valerie Harte is the new Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for 2023/2024 Cllr Harte was re-elected to Council at the recent Local Government Election where she achieved a massive 2,085 first preference votes and was deemed elected at the first count.
Giving her opening speech Cllr Harte said "Fellow Councilors, Chief Executive Council officials, family - A Chairde. It is with great honor and pride that I accept the nomination by my party colleagues for the Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. I am humbled to be entrusted with such a crucial role for the upcoming year of 2023/ 2024. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate outgoing Chairperson Michael Savage, for his leadership during the past year."
Cllr Harte then went on to thank Council staff "who work hard on the ground through rain, hail or snow to ensure our streets are clean and our bins are emptied."
She continued "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve our district in this capacity and I pledge to work hard for all in the district. I will strive tirelessly to uphold the values and principles that our district holds dear. As the incoming chairperson I am excited to represent the council within the different communities of this district, promoting the numerous tourism and economic opportunities available, while attracting much needed investment."
Cllr Harte said "Community is at the heart of what I do and I will ensure that it is reflected during my tenure. As a strong advocate for disability I will mirror this by selecting my charities from across the district that provide vital support and outlets for individuals and families of those with disabilities. I believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities and access to resources and I will work to ensure that this is echoed in all aspects of my work."
Speaking of Daisy Hill Hospital Cllr Harte said "Recent announcements have cast a shadow over Daisy Hill Hospital in spite of recent positive developments in terms of investment, and the expansion of Daisy Hill, the recruitment and retention crisis threatens services. The health and wellbeing of our citizens has to be foremost in our actions as local representatives. So to must be the well-being of our excellent healthcare workers whose jobs are made increasingly difficult by conditions in the Health Service and who are rightly worried about their jobs and the conditions in the current climate.
"I am committed to working hard with everyone here with statutory bodies and with the community, to do what we can to protect and promote services at Daisy Hill Hospital and Downe Hospital. Communities across this district rely on our hospital and we are committed to protecting it."
Cllr Harte continued "We are all aware of the many challenges that face our district. However, I believe that with your support and collaboration, this council can improve the big issues that matter to our citizens, including health, education, employment, community safety and the environment. Social housing need remains at a very high level across Newry, Mourne and Down and I will do all I can with our statutory partners to alleviate these high levels.
"We have opportunities to build a better district for workers and families, to deliver on key projects, Newry City Centre Park and to drive economic regeneration to improve our district. There are a multitude of services which we must deliver and many great projects either in the pipeline or on the aspirational list from Crossgar to Cullaville which we will bring to fruition for the people of this district. We can drive for regeneration, attract external investment and boost our tourist potential. We can only do that working hard in partnership with our colleagues from all other parties and independents. The people of Newry, Mourne and Down and South Armagh have entrusted all of us with the authority and responsibility to deliver high grade public services for our part Sinn Féinn will endeavor to exercise its authority fairly and in the interest of the people who elected us. I am committed to working hard with all of you to make our district a better place for everyone."
The Newry City representative concluded "Thank you for your trust and confidence in me. I look forward to working with each and every one of you to make a positive impact on our district."
Deputy Chairperson Cllr Gareth Sharvin
SDLP Councillor Gareth Sharvin is Deputy Chairperson of the Council. Cllr Sharvin said "I'd like to thank the great people of Downpatrick and Lecale for returning me to be their Councillor for the area over this council term. As a councillor for nearly 12 years now It has been my honor and privilege in being your local Councillor.
I would like to thank my SDLP colleagues for nominating me for the role of Deputy Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. If we rewind back 10 years ago, on the 10th of June 2013, I had the great honor of being Vice Chair of Down District Council and back then and since I've committed to and I've shown my commitment in representing the entire community.
Cllr Sharvin thanked outgoing Chairperson Cllr Michael Savage as outgoing chair and Deputy Chair Aoife Finnegan on their work ethic in ensuring that they represented the whole district.
The Downpatrick representative said "As I look forward to this year, we as a district have a great opportunity to grow and support our tourism offerings. From the shores of Strangford Lough to the Mountains of Mourne and the Ring of Gullion. Our district has the best to offer across Ireland to our residents and visitors. Our business and voluntary sector face an ever changing landscape with increased costs and funding cuts being handed down.
"As a keen sportsman both as a player in my day and now as a volunteer across my clubs I want to see our council being ever ambitious in developing the facilities that we as a council have to offer, but also to support our sports clubs in growing on their own. The sports hubs across each DEA has the real potential to deliver impact and provide a platform for local people to lead healthy and active lives by improving the quality of our facilities and open spaces.
Cllr Sharvin continued "Throughout my time as Councillor I've been a microphone for the issues that matter to our community. As Deputy Chair of Council, I will continue to provide that microphone to ensure that the most vulnerable are heard and that the issues are not ignored. I want to congratulate Valerie on being appointed as Chair of Council for the forthcoming year and I will ensure that I support Valerie in her role for the betterment of the district.
Concluding Cllr Sharvin said "Finally, I think that those that have supported me throughout my time as a Councillor and it would be remiss of me not to mention them today. Firstly, my family and friends who've supported me in every way. The SDLP team both now and before. I think of thelate Eddie McGrady, Peter Craig, John Dars, Michael Carr, Geraldine Donnelly, Brian Quinn and Patsy Toman who are no longer with us, but who provided me with such knowledge and the ethos of being on the ground and in your community. We all become involved in politics to create a better world for those that come after us. So let's get to work."
Committee Chairs 2023/2024
Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism: Chairperson: Mickey Ruanne; Vice Chairperson: Geraldine Kearns
Active and Health Communities: Chairperson: Roisin Howell; Vice Chairperson: Phillip Campbell
Sustainability and Environmental Services: Chairperson: Terry Andrews; Vice Chairperson: Willie Clarke
Strategy, Policy and Resources: Chairperson: Leanne McAvoy; Vice Chairperson: Cadogan Enright
Planning: Chairperson: Declan Murphy; Vice Chairperson: Jarlath Tinnelly
