Your City Council
Mayor’s Blog – 23rd January
This week started with a visit from Dominic Hannigan, TD from Dáil Éireann to the City of Lisburn.
I welcomed him to Lagan Valley Island where he met with representatives of the Council’s Economic Development and Community Services Units to discuss economic and community projects, which are currently being facilitated across the City.
Mr Hannigan then travelled with me to Footprints Women’s Centre in Poleglass for a tour of the facility and an overview of the services it provides to the local community. The visit concluded with a presentation from Brenda Burns of the Strategic Investment Board on the regeneration of areas suffering from high social deprivation.
Monday’s engagements concluded with a reception which I hosted for the Lisburn Sea Cadets in the Mayor’s Parlour. I was proud to present them with a Pennant for 2010/2011 in recognition of the Unit obtaining a thoroughly deserved ‘Pass with Merit’ in training excellence and compliance with regulations.
Such an achievement is remarkable and is a shining testament to the young people of our city who volunteer their free time for civic engagement duties, STEM or humanitarian training, and competitive sport.
The theme of volunteering continued with the launch of the seventh Mayor’s Awards for Volunteering scheme at Lagan Valley Island on Tuesday 24th January.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities and I am amazed by the number of volunteers there are within the Lisburn area.
To accommodate the large variety of voluntary services two new categories, Newcomer and Age Sector, have been added this year to the existing four categories, to ensure that the tremendous contribution made by volunteers within Lisburn’s communities is fully recognised.
Everyone who volunteers in the Lisburn area is eligible for a nomination in the Mayor’s Awards for Volunteering. If you are aware of any group or individual who you think deserves recognition under the ‘Mayor’s Awards for Volunteering 2012’, please contact Miss Rhonda Frew on 028 9266 2496 or email: rhonda.frew@lisburn.gov.uk for a nomination pack. Nomination packs can also be downloaded by clicking here
These awards deliver a strong message about the value of volunteering and how it helps to strengthen Lisburn as a city – to connect residents and communities, reinforce community spirit and create a more cohesive and inclusive society.
On Tuesday afternoon I was delighted to attend the National Energy Action (NEA NI) award ceremony in Cara House, Twinbrook. As the Mayor of Lisburn I presented Shirley, Janette and Jacqui with certificates in recognition of their achievement in gaining the NEA/City and Guilds Energy Awareness Qualification. I wish Janette, Shirley and Jacqui every success in the future as they put their energy knowledge into action.
Wednesday was a day of meetings and celebration. As a member of the Council’s ‘Cross Party Working Group’ I met with the Patient and Client Council to discuss the future of health care across the City along with my fellow group members.
The Patient and Client Council is an independent body which exists to represent the views of patients on the health service and this role is especially important in this time of change and healthcare reform.
At lunchtime in the Mayor’s Parlour I was delighted to host a very special reception in honour of Mr Brian McDowell, who has worked for Lisburn City Council in a voluntary capacity for the past 25 years.
The Chief Executive, Directors of the Council and Chairman of the Corporate Services Committee, Cllr Stephen Martin and Vice-Chair, Cllr Roy Young, with Brian’s family and colleagues attended the reception.
I was delighted to host this reception for Brian who has contributed so much to the Council over the last 25 years.
On Thursday 26th January I was very pleased to present a cheque for £1,893.52 to my Mayoral Charity. This money was raised by the Santa’s Grotto which was at the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum in December.
Thank you very much to everyone who made a voluntary donation.
I was very privileged on Friday 27th January to deliver the Opening Welcome at NILGA’s first Full Members Meeting for 2012. Held in Lagan Valley Island it was well attended by representatives from councils across Northern Ireland, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, the Strategic Investment Board, the Department of Environment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
My week of engagements concluded with a reception I held to mark the retirement of Rev William McMillan, MBE after 54 years in the Ministry. I wish Rev McMillan a long, happy and healthy retirement!
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Brian Heading.