NAC Newsletters NAC Newsletters are produced and circulated regularly to keep members updated on our activities and to provide relevant information. Click the links below to view or download the NAC Newsletters

Please click here for May 2021 Please click here for March 2021 Please click here for February 2021 Please click here for December 2020 Please click here for October 2020

New Award for Councillors The National Association of Councillors has created a new award for Councillors that have provided many years of dedicated work in their support of others, and during that time have made an outstanding contribution to public and community service. Three Councillors, who have served over 125 years between them, were the first to receive the long service award certificates, which were kept as a closely guarded secret until they were presented on Thursday 12 October 2018. The awards were made as follows: For over 45 years service - Councillor Dermot Curran of Newry, Mourne & Down District Council For over 40 years service – Alderman Jim Speers of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Alderman Jim Dillon Of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Read More…..

Social Enterprise Northern Ireland Gala Awards Event 2018

The National Association of Councillors were proud to support the Annual Social Enterprise NI Gala Awards event this year for the first time. The awards showcase the Social Enterprise Sector in Northern Ireland and representatives from the National Association of Councillors attended the Gala Evening which was held in The Stormont Hotel, Belfast on Friday 19 October 2018. Read More

NAC Secretary, Cllr Joe Boyle and NAC Executive Committee Member,Cllr Robert Burgess at the Social Enterprise NI Gala Awards Event on 19 October 2018

NEWS

NAC Northern Ireland Region New Chairman Alderman Tommy Sandford has been elected as the new Chairman of the National Association of Councillors, Northern Ireland Region. The election took place at the region’s Annual General Meeting on Friday 4 October 2019 and was presided over by the General Secretary of NAC UK, Councillor Brian Nelson. Alderman Sandford will replace the outgoing Chairman, Alderman Michael Henderson MBE, who has completed his two year term of office. Alderman Henderson congratulated Alderman Sandford and handed over the NAC Chain of Office, he then thanked the Secretary, Councillor Joe Boyle, the Treasurer, Alderman Angus Carson and the NAC Executive Committee Members for their support throughout his service, he said that he had thoroughly enjoyed the role of the NAC Chairman and that he is happy to have achieved his aim of assisting with progressing the professionalism of the organisation. Alderman Sandford said that he was pleased to be taking over the role of Chairman and he thanked Alderman Henderson for his input over the past two years and said that he wished him all the best for the future. Please click here to see further details of the election, appointed Officers and Executive Committee Members.

NAC National Vice-Chair Appointed Councillor Charlie Casey has been elected as National Vice- Chair at the NAC UK Annual General Meeting and Conference which took place during November 2019 in Chester. The position, which is appointed on a regional rotational basis, will be for a period of two years. The outgoing Chair was Councillor Marie Garrity from the Scotland region who has been replaced by Cllr Steven Brookes as nominated by the Welsh region councillors. The Northern Ireland members in attendance at the AGM congratulated all the new office bearers on their appointments.

L to R – NAC NI Region Senior Vice-Chair, Cllr Terry Andrews and NAC NI Region Chair, Ald Tommy Sandford congratulate NAC National Vice-Chair, Cllr Charlie Casey on his recent appointment.

Freedom of the City of Lisburn & Castlereagh February 2020 The NAC officers and members are delighted that the high accolade of Freedom of the City of Lisburn & Castlereagh has been awarded to one of our longest serving councillors, Alderman Jim Dillon MBE JP for his contribution to public life. Mr Tommy Jeffers and Mrs Geraldine Rice MBE, former members of the NAC, have also been made Freemen for their long service and commitment to their work as elected members and we extend our congratulations to all.

Ald Tommy Sandford, NAC Chair with Kate Wilson, NAC Admin Assistant at Belfast City Hall December 2019

LCCC Mayor, Cllr Alan Givan, Tommy Jeffers, Ald Jim Dillon MBE JP, Geraldine Rice MBE, and Chief Executive, David Burns

Belfast’s 119th High Sheriff December 2019 The NAC Chair, Alderman Tommy Sandford is approaching the end of his one-year term as High Sheriff of Belfast. He was appointed to this prestigious role in January 2019 by the then Secretary of State, Karen Bradley following a nomination from Belfast City Council. Alderman Sandford said it was an honour to be appointed as the High Sheriff of his “beloved city” and he thoroughly enjoyed fulfilling the role during a busy and eventful year. He wished all NAC Members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Long Serving Councillors honoured In February 2020, the NAC, NI Region honoured three more of our longest serving members by presenting them with NAC Long Service Certificates. This award was created to show our appreciation to Elected Members that have provided many years of dedicated work in their support of others, and in recognition of their outstanding contribution to public and community service. The awards were presented by the NAC Chair, Ald Tommy Sandford and NAC Secretary, Cllr Joe Boyle to Ald Fraser Agnew and Ald Tommy Nicholl for 39 years service each and Ald Robert Gibson for 35 years service. They join previous award receipiants Cllr Dermot Curran (now 47 years service), Ald Jim Dillon and Ald Jim Speers (now 43 years service). Local Government Awards 2020 The NAC are delighted to announce that their sponsored category award for ‘Best Initiative by a Councillor/Councillor Group’ has been awarded to Cllr Cheryl Johnston of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at the Local Government Awards ceremony. As usual the standard of entries was extremely high, and the NAC Officers would like to convey their thanks to all Elected Members, Councils and Staff that took the time to submit entries for our award category. Please click here to see Councillor Cheryl Johnston’s winning entry.

CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 During March 2020 all NAC Executive Committee meetings and Members’ meetings were cancelled until further notice, in line with the government guidance on COVID-19. However, the NAC Northern Ireland internal business continued as normal with information emails sent to all members and officers always available to help members in whatever way possible. The work of a councillor is generally wide ranging, and the NAC members played a remarkably important role within their communities during these difficult times. From providing advice to the general public, supporting and encouraging key workers within their councils or leading through example when dealing with the effects of the lockdown, and we commend them for their efforts. Like many organisations, the meetings scheduled by the NAC for March, April, May and June were cancelled due to the Coronavirus but we are looking forward to a time and when these can be resumed. NAC Members at the recent Local Government Awards event

LATEST UPDATE Despite COVID-19, over the past year we continued to keep in contact with our Members through email updates and newsletters. We have also been in contact regularly with the relevant external bodies in relation to the work that we carry out on behalf of our Members, namely: • Progressing the review of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and communicating with the Office of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman on matters relating to the Code. • Addressing matters in relation to Councillors well-being and line-of-work equality. • Having input to the Local Government Training Group Review Panel to help ensure that Councillors receive adequate and appropriate training. Whilst responses have been slowed down by the pandemic, we are making progress on these matters and we will continue with this important work with the aim of achieving the best results on behalf of our Members.