Video: New council will be driven by efficiency and value for money, says Mayor

Alderman Hogg, who is currently Mayor of Newtownabbey, was elected to the post at the new super council’s first AGM, held at Mossley Mill on Thursday night, February 26.

Alliance Party Councillor John Blair was elected Deputy Mayor.

The two men will take up their positions from the beginning of the new council term on April 1.

They will hold the titles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor once borough status is formally adopted by the new council.

Alderman Hogg, who represents the Macedon area, described his appointment as “a real honour.”

Looking to the year ahead, he commented: “We are going to be a council that’s driven by efficiency and streamline value for money services, but also maintain the very high level of public service that residents of Antrim and Newtownabbey deserve and expect.”

Alderman Blair, a long-serving councillor for the Glengormley area, acknowledged that there will be significant challenges in the year ahead, but stressed that elected members and staff will work to turn those challenges into opportunities.

“There is a tremendous will to work together as we move forward in Antrim and Newtownabbey for the betterment of all of the people that we represent,” he commented.

• Read more in next week’s Times.