Dickson steps down before AGM

As the TIMES revealed in March, the Alliance councillor is bringing a 32-year association with the local authority to an end to concentrate on his Assembly duties. He will be replaced by Noel Williams, currently director of operations in the party’s local constituency office at West Street.

A special meeting next week is likely to be Mr Dickson’s last official session in the Antrim Street chamber. One of his final duties was to attend this week’s US Rangers 70th anniversary commemoration service at Sunnylands.

“I was Mayor in 1992 when the US Rangers stone was placed at Sunnylands, so I was particularly pleased to be able to take part in Tuesday’s service at the location,” Mr Dickson told the TIMES.

He will not however be participating in the annual general meeting of Carrick Borough Council on Wednesday 27 June when, it is expected, the controlling unionist bloc will seek to secure the top roles.

Sources within the largest party, the DUP, have indicated that while it is keen to retain the mayoral chain a front-runner has not yet emerged. Current incumbent Alderman Jim McClurg is concluding a two-year term in office with Alderman May Beattie, Councillor David Hilditch MLA and Councillor Charlie Johnston among the names believed to be in the frame to succeed him.