Leathem elected as Lisburn’s new Mayor

After five days of celebrations, Mr Leathem then had the honour of welcoming the Olympic Torch to the city on Wednesday afternoon.

“It was a fantastic start to the year,” said Mr Leathem, who was unanimously elected to the position of Mayor on Friday June 1.

Mr Leathem was congratulated on his appointment by the group leaders of each of the parties on Lisburn City Council, including Sinn Fein.

“It has been an honour and privilege to be the First Citizen during the tremendous Jubilee weekend. With the Olympic torch coming here as well it has been a fantastic week for Lisburn. What a way to start the year.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been elected to be Mayor of Lisburn,” he continued. “I would like to thank the voters of Lisburn North who have elected me on two occasions and my council colleagues who elected me unanimously.

“I would like to thank my Party colleagues for their nomination and support and to my family and wife Kathleen for all her support.”

Mr Leathem said his only regret was that his parents could not be there to see him elevated to the position. “My father passed away fourteen years ago and mother, who had always been supportive of my political career, passed away two years ago.”

Mr Leathem also paid tribute to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Brian Heading, whom he said had become a friend during his time as his Deputy Mayor.

“I would like to pay tribute to Brian, to overcome his illness and carry out his duty as Mayor was an enormous task,” said Mr Leathem. “He attended various functions throughout the city of Lisburn and did a fantastic job.”

Looking forward to his year ahead, Mr Leathem said the theme for his term in office would be ‘People at the Heart of the Community’ and added that he hoped to be ‘a mayor of the people’.

“All people have an important role to play in Lisburn,” he continued. “I work very closely with various community groups and I want to engage with community groups as much as possible during the year.”

Mr Leathem also revealed that his chosen Mayoral Charity for the year will be Lisburn’s ‘Stepping Stones’.

“I chose Stepping Stones because it is a local charity that supports local people with learning disabilities to achieve their full potential,” he explained.

Mr Leathem has also asked his minister, Rev Nicholas Dark, the rector at Magheragall Parish Church, to be his Mayor’s Chaplain for the year ahead.

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