Credits roll at end of era for council

Carrickfergus, which has merged with neighbouring Larne and Ballymena, is now part of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The passing of the baton was marked at the Town Hall on Monday evening as Carrickfergus Council held its last ever meeting with the occasion captured on camera.

Six members will go on to represent the town on MEA, which has been operating in ‘shadow’ form since last May.

The special meeting, chaired by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lynn McClurg, was recorded on film for the new council’s archives.

“This is an historic day and I can certainly say it’s been a pleasure to serve on Carrickfergus Borough Council,” Cllr McClurg said.

“To those members who are finishing tomorrow (Tuesday), you have been great ambassadors for the council and will be sorely missed. I would like to wish those who are continuing the best of luck and hopefully we can continue the sterling work on Mid and East Antrim.

“I would also like to thank the chief executive, Sheila McClelland, the directors and council staff for all their hard work.”

The past number of years have seen a number of significant capital schemes completed across the town, from the redevelopment of Marine Gardens and the public realm scheme to the Diamond Jubilee Wood in
Whitehead.

A major masterplan for Greenisland, developed under Carrickfergus Council, will continue under the leadership of the Mid and East Antrim authority.

Meanwhile, the Antrim Street council also implemented a number of ‘legacy’ projects to mark the end of its 42-year tenure.

These included the production of a special edition of Compass magazine for local residents, a grant for local schools, and funding for a new landscaping project at Kilcreggan Urban Farm.