New members for policing partnership

The members appointed are Pauline Leeson, Deborah Guy, Donna Hancock, Christine McCullough, Philip Dean, Martin Busch, Yvonne Craig, Rosemary Orr and Natasha Kirk.

Councillor Carson welcomed the appointment of the nine independent members, saying: “Firstly I would like to congratulate the nine people who have been appointed by the Policing Board to serve on the re-constituted Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP.

“I look forward to working with them, alongside the elected members and statutory agencies to progress the work of the Partnership.

“Our first meeting will take place next week and I hope that we can build relationships and establish priorities fairly quickly.

“I am keen, as Chairman, to get out on the ground and meet local groups to hear first-hand, the policing and community safety issues which affect them.

“We are now entering a new phase in local policing where there will be changes in how policing is delivered and it is important that local people are brought along as these changes progress.

“The PCSP will be crucial in helping to facilitate these conversations.

“May I also thank all the members of the previous Lisburn and Castlereagh PCSPs for the work undertaken during their term of office.”

Policing Board Chair Anne Connolly added: “The new members bring a wide range of skills and experience to this important element of policing accountability and community safety.

“All those appointed have demonstrated the ability to engage effectively and have shown a commitment to ensuring that the voice of their community is heard.

“The new look Councils and streamlined structure for PCSPs bring fresh challenges and opportunities for the partnerships.

“Members will work together with elected colleagues, the community and representatives of the statutory and voluntary sector to provide oversight of police locally and deliver initiatives to help improve community safety.

“I look forward to working with the partnerships and their members in the time ahead.”