Don’t forget our staff: new Chief told

David Jackson was outlining his initial thoughts on the task of merging four council areas into one.

“That brings four sets of challenges and four sets of opportunities,” Mr Jackson told the Transition Committee meeting in Coleraine on Thursday.

Ballymoney DUP councillor John Finlay asked the new Chief Executive to be mindful of the feelings of council staff who are concerned about their future.

“I wouldn’t like any staff to feel that they are being kicked out the door,” he said.

Limavady DUP Councillor James McCorkell also highlighted the worries of council staff, saying they are concerned about whether they will have jobs or where they will be based.

Mr Jackson replied: “My suggestion would be that from an admin point of view, my project team will be in Coleraine but my proposal is that I will spend one day a week in each of the four councils.

“I think it would send the right message to staff,” he said, adding that this would have to be done with the blessing of the existing Chief Executives.

Polling day for new ‘super’ Council

Polling day for the new Causeway Coast and Glens super council area will be May 22.

Coleraine Leisure Centre will be the count venue.

A list of polling stations will be published this week.

Chief Executive of Ballymoney Borough Council, John Dempsey, is leading the project on behalf of the four merging councils - Coleraine, Limavady, Ballymoney and Ballycastle.

He told members of the Transition Committee on Thursday evening that quite a number of residents will find themselves attending different polling stations this time around

He also explained that nominations for the election will be lodged in Ballymoney, Limavady and Ballycastle.