Write a commentSix councillors in Newry, Mourne and Down Council have formed a working alliance making them the third largest political grouping in the new super council!
The Independent and the Alliance Councillors are now recognised as a separate political grouping. With 6 Councillors this grouping is now the third largest after Sinn Féin and the SDLP, and well ahead of the main Unionist parties who have only 3 to 4 each.
Newry Councillors Kevin McAteer and Davy Hyland hailed this development as ‘significant’ and complemented all Indy/Alliance Councillors for fighting the campaign for recognition.
Davy Hyland pointed out that “This is a very significant development and has already shown it’s worth in swinging the balance of power on important several local issues – most recently the controversy over swimming lessons at the Leisure Centres. The two old Councils of Newry and Mourne and Down were traditionally dominated by Sinn Féin and the SDLP respectively – this will now no longer be possible in the new Supercouncil.”
Councillor Kevin McAteer agreed and said “With six Councillors representing almost every Electoral Area within the new Supercouncil, we will have considerably more influence not just in the greater Newry Area – but right across the whole District.“
Councillor Hyland said that that “Official recognition for our group has taken some determined campaigning over the last year and ran up against many obstacles. However the unity of our group in most Council votes have often given us the balance of power. This has brought about a realization within the other political groupings that it was a ‘done deal’, and recognition was now inevitable. This has resulted in considerably more influence both within and without the Council.”
Councillor McAteer said “Our group will ensure that all issues are decided on the facts, and not on the basis of any one parties ideology. We will use the balance of power responsibly“
Alliance Councillor Patrick Brown from Rowallane nominated Councillor Enright as group leader for the coming year, with Davy Hyland of Newry to succeed him next May. This position of responsibility will rotate over the next few years adding to the fairness and democratic stance that the Indy/Alliance group stands for.
The grouping includes several significant figures on the new Supercouncil. These include both Kevin McAteer and Davy Hyland from Newry Town Electoral Area, Alliance Party Councillor Patrick Brown from Rowallane, Jarlath Tinnelly from the Crotlieve Electoral Area who is chair of the Council’s planning committee, Patrick Clarke from the Slieve Croob Electoral Area and Councillor Cadogan Enright from the Downpatrick Lecale Coast area.
