Carrickfergus Borough Council - Mayor

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Mayor

Mayor - Alderman Jim McClurg

Deputy Mayor - Councillor Terence Clements

Alderman Jim McClurg was recently elected to his second term as Mayor of Carrickfergus.  Mayor McClurg sets down some thoughts on the year past and that ahead.

“Firstly, I feel that I should set down in writing my gratitude to my fellow members of Carrickfergus Borough Council who have, once again, demonstrated their support for me by electing me to a second term in this high office.  I remain hugely proud to sit as Mayor of the Borough.

In my summary last year I touched on a number of Council projects and I am pleased to report that a number of these projects are now complete.  Fishermans Quay has been consolidated and a new deck added to allow easy access for all. Similarly, the Whitehead Masterplan has been completed and gives clear direction for development in the town.

It is a little disappointing to note that the Carrickfergus public realm refurbishment scheme is not yet underway.  However, I am pleased to say that the scheme is still very much alive and I hope to see it started in this financial year.

Whilst all this work has been underway preparatory work goes on for a number of other schemes.  I hope to see these begun on the ground, again in this financial year.  These projects will give a new skateboard park to augment the facilities already on offer at the Amphitheatre Leisure Centre, a refurbishment of the Marine Gardens (along with some facelift work to the Civic Centre) and, all being well, a new Community Centre at Eden.  This last project is particularly exciting as it is hoped to provide not only community facilities, but also changing facilities for those using the sports grounds and some accommodation for allotment holders.  As usual we will be investigating how we might incorporate sustainable technologies into all these schemes.

Under the auspices of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations the Council is preparing plans to plant some 60 acres of woodland at Bentra, adjacent to the Council Golf Course, as part of the Diamond Jubilee Wood scheme. When it begins to develop this should be a real environmental and recreational asset to the Borough.

Another environmental project, of which some work has already been carried out, is the Joymount/Sullatober Water Flood Alleviation Scheme being carried out jointly by the Rivers Agency and the Water Service. The portion of this scheme between the sea and the railway embankment at Shaftesbury Park is now complete. Further work will now be carried out to the ponds at the leisure centre. This work will be substantial and is likely to start in the autumn of this year.

Looking now to our marina.  I must commend all the staff for their work in retaining their 5 Gold Anchor status.  This means that in terms of quality of service and facility, our marina can compete with the best.

Turning to our events programme, I will name but a few which stick in my mind.  Shakespeare in the Park was once again a huge success and demonstrated the popularity for such events in the Borough.  Armed Forces Day drew close to 40,000 people.  We are particularly grateful for the efforts of the various forces organisations who put so much into the planning of this event and we in turn are honoured to host it. This year I am pleased to acknowledge the part played by NIEA who opened the Castle to allow it to become part of the event.  Finally, the Orange Pageant which also drew huge crowds.  Council continues to work with the local lodges to make this historic re-enactment an event for all to enjoy. 

Council officers are already working on next years events programme which we hope will be even better.

You may be aware that the Council has close links with a number of organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, who operate the monthly market in the town (and I would urge you to give this your support) and, similarly, Carrickfergus Community Forum.  I envisage that in the coming year these links will continue to develop for the good of all.

On links of another kind we were pleased to host a large group of visitors from our Sister City of Danville, Kentucky. I have to remark on the easy friendliness of all who made up the group which represented every occupation from teachers to beef farmers. This friendliness made it a real pleasure to be able to welcome our visitors.

Going in the other direction we had two Carrickfergus residents who went across to take part in a Brass Band competition in Danville. Judging by the reports from the Danville group, our representatives made a very positive impression on Danville residents.

I referred last year to the work ongoing with Larne and Ballymena Councils as part of the RPA process.  Whilst RPA itself has been postponed I am pleased to report that officers of the Councils have continued to work jointly on issues which should see financial savings for all the Councils.

While staff in the council work to make Carrickfergus a better place to live, visit and enjoy, everyone has their part to play.  Once again I would ask that we all have respect for our neighbours and their property and that you participate in a positive way in making our Borough a better place.  We had a relatively minor incident in July from which the town received much negative publicity on a worldwide basis.  It undermined everything we are seeking to achieve. I would implore you not to get involved in such incidents which do nothing for the town.

I hope that this gives some indication of the work going on in Council and you should be aware that it is only a small sample which I hope, in addition to the normal workaday council tasks of bin emptying, environmental health, building regulations, street sweeping and so on, demonstrates that the Council is working tirelessly to make the Borough a better place.”