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 December 2021 Please click here for October 2021 Please click here for August 2021 Please click here for May 2021 Please click here for March 2021

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 The outgoing Chair was Councillor Marie Garrity from the Scotland region who has been replaced by Cllr Steven Brookes as nominated by the Welsh region councillors.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.

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.

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

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.

New NAC Northern Ireland Region Chair Appointed – October 2021 Councillor Terry Andrews has been appointed as Chair of the National Association of Councillors, NI Region at the NAC NI Annual General Meeting which took place in Cookstown on 15 October 2021. Councillor Andrews thanked his fellow- party members, Councillor Curran, and Councillor McFlynn sincerely, for proposing and seconding his nomination in the election of officers which was presided over by the General Secretary of the NAC UK, Councillor Brian Nelson. The newly appointed Chair then went on to say: “I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Alderman Sandford who I worked alongside as his deputy for two years, I found him to be kind, courteous and a pleasure to work with and I wish Tommy all the best for the future….” Earlier Alderman Sandford opened the AGM saying that the day would be one of mixed feelings for him as it would be his last event as Chair of the NAC Northern Ireland region. He said that he has been actively involved in this organisation over many years and is very proud to have been part of the Executive Committee here in Northern Ireland and to have carried out the role of Chair over the past two years. He thanked the NAC Secretary Councillor Joe Boyle, the NAC Treasurer Alderman Angus Carson, and the members of the NAC Executive Committee for their support and input to the organisation. He also paid tribute to the NAC UK Officers saying he has enjoyed meeting and engaging with NAC Members across the regions by attending the UK conferences; he also spoke of the good working relationship and that has been developed with fellow Councillors across Ireland through their respective representative organisations - the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG and the Local Authority Members Association, LAMA.