Council tackles plans for '˜Freedom'

Mid & East Antrim Council is forging ahead with its plans to confer its highest civic honour - the Freedom of the Borough - on the Northern Ireland Football Team and its manager, Ballymena native, Michael O'Neill.
The Braid. (Editorial Image)The Braid. (Editorial Image)
The Braid. (Editorial Image)

At their latest monthly meeting on August 1, councillors agreed a suggestion from their Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy, to the setting up of a task and finish working group to move forward with the conferment and that this would involve the Chief Executive, Director of Communications, Director of Community Planning, the Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales and Deputy Mayor Ald William McNeilly as well as the proposer and seconder of the Freedom motion, Cllrs Stewart McDonald and James McKeen, respectively.

Mrs Donaghy said she felt such a team was needed to work on the planning, delivery of the conferment as well as identifying a budget and organising PR.

Mrs Donaghy added that she had written to the IFA and was working with the body to agree a suitable date for the event which, she said, was difficult as some team members had to seek approval from their home clubs.