New Cyndi Lauper documentary to open fifth Docs Ireland Film Festival

The Irish Premiere of Fine Point Film’s new documentary Let the Canary Sing, a portrait of Cyndi Lauper, will open the fifth Docs Ireland festival next month.

Coming hot on the heels of its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Let the Canary Sing is a deep dive into the life and legacy of the living pop/punk legend and activist.

Produced by Belfast based production company Fine Point Films, Let the Canary Sing exemplifies the depth and breadth of Irish documentary filmmaking.

Docs Ireland will celebrate a bumper year for Irish documentaries with 12 Irish features screening in its Pull Focus Competition. Stories include a wide range of subject matter, from music, art, nature, and identity to investigative journalism which provide insights into this island’s complicated past and present. These include:

·        The World Premiere of I Dream in Photos which tracks the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-Winning photographer Cahal McNaughton.

·        Margo Harkin’s harrowing Stolen that investigates the horrific discovery of the bodies of 796 mothers and babies in Tuam.

·        The European Premiere of Des Henderson’s long awaited, incredibly revealing expose The Lost Boys: Belfast’s Missing Children.

·        Atomic Hope which tackles the explosively controversial issue of nuclear fuel as a means of solving the global climate crisis.

·        The European Premiere of In the Shadow of Beirut produced by Cyprus Avenue and Hilary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton’s production company Hidden Light. It looks at modern day Lebanon and the devastating impact of years of war and imperialism in the region.

The full Docs Ireland 5 programme will be launched on Thursday 25 May at the Black Box. Tickets for the opening gala and screenings for the Pull Focus competition are on sale now at www.docsireland.ie.

Michele Devlin, Director of Docs Ireland said:

“Five short years ago we launched the first Docs Ireland in response to the creativity and passion we saw in a vibrant Irish documentary-making sector.  We wanted to celebrate this energy, to give it a platform here at home and support in the international arena.

“In a programme that spans 25 countries across the world, this year we have a welcome explosion of talent, as we premiere a record number of Irish-made feature documentaries.

“Our opening night features the Irish Premiere of Fine Point Film’s Let the Canary Sing, a beautiful and inspiring look at the life and career of the pop / new wave legend, Cyndi Lauper.  This film, which was recently acquired by international distributors Dogwoof, is a prime example of how Irish films are out there performing strongly alongside the best on the world stage.

“We are very excited to be launching the full programme next week, Docs Ireland 5 runs from 20th–25th June.”

Northern Ireland Local Government Election Results 2023

After weeks of campaigning, 15 hours of voting, and a turnout of 54%, the curtain closed on the Northern Ireland Local Government Election 2023 in the early hours of Sunday morning. The count revealed a seismic shift in local politics that made Sinn Fein the first nationalist party to become the largest at local government level in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin surprised pundits and party activists alike by sweeping up 39 additional seats across Northern Ireland. Breakthroughs in Ballymena, Lisburn North and Coleraine show the party is advancing in Unionist areas. Yet it was still a good day out for the DUP which consolidated its vote and demonstrated that its base is supportive of the Assembly and Executive boycott. That said, high profile losses such as George Dorrian, the party’s group leader on Belfast City Council, and Lisburn and Castlereagh sitting Mayor Scott Carson made small dints to their armour.

While the ‘Alliance Surge’ continued, its momentum hit a roadblock. The expansion of the party did continue with a first seat in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for the party, and the election of Northern Ireland’s youngest ever councillor in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, but two losses in Derry and Strabane District Council and failed breakthroughs in West Tyrone, Portadown and Dungannon stalled their advancement west of the Bann.

As predicted, the decline of the UUP and SDLP continued. Losing 21 seats, the UUP clinged on to representation at Belfast City Council and made one gain on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. For the SDLP, it was a difficult day out. Their successes in Belfast were not replicated across the board, with their representation on Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council slashed to one seat.

Jim Allister failed to make any inroads to the traditional DUP vote but did take one seat on Belfast City Council with representative Ron McDowell . The Green Party’s representation was cut to 5 seats, with party leader Mal O’Hara failing to get re-elected. People Before Profit also took a hit, with Fiona Ferguson and Matt Collins not returning to Belfast City Council.

Deeper analysis of the election confirms that all roads lead to the eventual return of the Executive and Assembly, but the DUP need some political cover to do so. Whether the UK Government will give them this remains yet to be seen.  

"New legislation will target ‘greenwashing’ companies" writes Matthew Howse, Partner – Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

Matthew Howse, Partner - Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

As companies become more and more eco-conscious, driven by evolving consumer demands as well as being obliged to do their own bit to address the climate crisis, ESG has become much more prominent and significant. Large corporations, in particular, are now expected to maintain responsible business practices and embody strong socially responsible values. While this is to be commended from firms who are keen to create better communities where they operate, it’s important that their green credentials can always stand up to scrutiny.

New legislation introduced by the UK Government in recent weeks is aimed at targeting so-called ‘greenwashing’ by companies and individuals. Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill, currently making its way through the House of Commons, large companies face the threat of civil penalties of up to 10% of their global turnover for breaches of consumer law, while individuals who breach these laws will face fines of up to £300,000. These new penalties will directly address greenwashing and companies who seek to flout their green commitments without the evidence to back it up.

The proposed bill will give new powers to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to tackle and penalise companies who make false green claims. In their sights already, however, are products known as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). These include every day, essential household items including food and drink, cleaning products, and toiletries, many of which are increasingly marketed as being sustainable, green, or environmentally and eco-friendly. As one of the largest goods sectors in the UK, worth over £100 billion every year, the impact of any large-scale alleged greenwashing in FMCG products could be seismic and could force other sectors to change their ways.

There are no shortage of sectors or businesses who could be affected by these new laws including motoring, clothing and fashion, construction, or aviation. These are sectors which often go to pains to prove their green commitments and highlight their eco-conscious values to consumers who are increasingly keen to align themselves to brands which ‘care’. However, many could be forced to scale back their messaging around sustainability. We’ve already seen the CMA launch investigations into the environmental claims of large retailers like ASOS and Boohoo over the validity of their sustainability claims. With these new powers, the body would have greater strength to tackle such green offenders.

The UK isn’t the first country to take action against greenwashing. Australia, for example, has already brought legal action against a company regarding its net zero claims while the EU is developing its own plans to penalise greenwashing. With Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claiming that this new piece of legislation will be a priority for his government, companies must now make sure that their claims stand up to scrutiny. Regulators, watchdogs, and activists are emboldened like never before. It is, therefore, vital that firms ensure that they can properly demonstrate their claims – otherwise they will pay the price, both financially and reputationally.

Foyle Port bolsters senior leadership team with appointment of new Chief Development Officer

George Cuthbert, Engineering and Development Director, Foyle Port; Arlene Thompson, Finance and Corporate Services Director, Foyle Port; Ian Luney, Chief Development Officer, Foyle Port; and Brian McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, Foyle Port.

Foyle Port has appointed Ian Luney in a newly established role as Chief Development Officer.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, Ian will seek to secure sustainable revenue streams for the organisation by attracting investment into the Port’s extensive landbank at Lisahally. Ian has extensive experience in Irish and global power markets and joins the Port from EP UK Investments Ltd, the owner of Ballylumford and Kilroot Power Stations, where he was Director of Corporate Affairs.

The appointment will drive diversified growth at Foyle Port, where there are ambitious plans to leverage its strategic location and land holdings to locate emerging low carbon technologies.

Speaking after the appointment, Foyle Port Chief Executive Officer Brian McGrath said:

“Ian is an excellent addition to our senior leadership team at the Port. His extensive industrial and private sector experience will be vital in delivering sustainable long-term growth as we seek to secure inward investment into the North West regional economy.”

Ian Luney, Chief Development Officer, Foyle Port.

Ian Luney, Chief Development Officer at Foyle Port, also added:

“This is an exciting and important role, and I am looking forward to utilising my experience to deliver new investment into the harbour estate with a focus on lower carbon energy technology, data, renewables, and innovation. Foyle Port is a highly attractive proposition for investors, with a substantial landbank with readily accessible gas, electricity, and infrastructure adjacency. I am looking forward to working with stakeholders and potential partners to attract inward investment to help secure the long-term future of the port.”

Foyle Port is a UK Trust Port and is the key marine gateway to the North West of the island of Ireland for commerce, renewable energy, and tourism.

Anchor High Leadership Summit confirmed for Derry on 31 May

(L-R) Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI and Mary Meehan, Deputy Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI

Manufacturing Northern Ireland’s annual Anchor High Leadership Summit takes place in Derry’s historic Guildhall on 31 May. The Summit is the flagship event and closes off Manufacturing Month, a full month devoted to the manufacturing and engineering sector in Northern Ireland. 

Established and emerging leaders from the manufacturing and engineering sectors across the island of Ireland will come together to explore their own leadership challenges, learn about their changing workplace and workforce, and the big strategic challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. 

Panels, workshops, and discussions at this year’s summit focus on issues as varied as strategy, sustainability and ESG, digitalisation, skills and people, and creating diverse workplaces. 

Hosted by business broadcaster Jamie Delargy, speakers at the summit will include:

• Jill McKitterick, Production Manager, Coca Cola HBC

• Alyson Hogg MBE, Founder, Vita Liberata

• Mark Higgins, Director of Operations, FAST Technologies

• Martin Tierney, Director at Seating Matters

• Kerry-Ann McGeown, Global Communications Manager at Terex

• Barry Winkless, Chief Strategy Officer at CPL and Head of the Future of Work Institute

The summit will then culminate with a celebration dinner that evening in the Guildhall to mark 20 years since the foundation of Manufacturing Northern Ireland as well as inducting the 2023 entrants into the Manufacturing Hall of Fame. 

Mary Meehan, Deputy Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI said:

“The Anchor High Leadership Summit is now a cornerstone of the local calendar. It’s an opportunity for our makers and our manufacturing leaders to get together and discuss the shared issues facing them. It’s also a chance for emerging leaders to connect with more experienced colleagues and mentors and build vital relationships which will be crucial as they progress through their careers.”

“Many past participants testify to the benefit of taking part and many have changed how they lead their businesses to meet the challenges and opportunities discovered at the Summit.”

“This year’s conference also marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Manufacturing NI. The organisation was formed in Derry after a group of like-minded manufacturers came together to give the sector a strong and combined voice. It is special to be bringing it home this year and welcoming hundreds of manufacturing and engineering leaders to the city in recognition of how the organisation and, indeed, our industry has flourished over the past two decades.”

For tickets, agenda, and further information, please visit https://www.manufacturingmonthni.com/anchorhighsummit/

2023 Local Government Party Manifestos

As we enter polling week, parties and candidates are entering the final furlong of what has been a low-key campaign. With the launch of the SDLP’s in East Belfast on Friday, all parties have now published their manifestos for voters to consider. Take a read below at each party’s commitments to support their local communities in areas such as business, economic development, housing, and the climate.  Click each party’s name below to take you directly to the manifesto as well.

Sinn Féin:

• Sinn Féin has pledged to support local SMEs, promote a balanced economy, maximise an all-island tourism sector, and to develop skills and job opportunities

• Sinn Féin has committed to improving council planning processes to address unnecessary delays, and for the councils to provide more available land for social housing.

• Sinn Féin has committed to ensuring rural communities have access to social and affordable housing and support for the vital family farms and Agri-food sector. 

DUP:

• The DUP has committed to securing the lowest possible rate increase, by improving council efficiency, expanding economic development strategies, and promoting anti-avoidance programmes.

• The DUP, working with Invest NI, will seek support for rural-based growth, promote self-employment, and improve access to local government procurement for local SMEs.

• The DUP has committed to securing stronger deadlines for statutory consultees to meet or face penalties, providing adequate funding of enforcement teams, and the creation of council powers to remove dilapidated buildings.

Alliance:

• The Alliance Party has committed to the development of hubs within the council areas, using community planning to link small businesses and social enterprises with further education colleges.

• The party will develop a new and innovative model of funding and investment to NI’s cities, towns, and villages, to provide regeneration to the town centres and support local business association.

• Alliance has committed to developing a localised action plan, to ensure a swifter turnaround of planning applications. The party has also committed to the full digitisation of the planning process in an accessible manner.

SDLP:

• The SDLP has committed to supporting and making local businesses more inclusive, by developing strategies to support social, enterprises, women in business and youth enterprise.

• The party has promised to introduce planning reform, that commits to engage with investors, communities, and citizens.

• The SDLP has committed to improving NI transport infrastructure such as expanding NI railway network, through the all-island rail review, and to develop a strategy for road repair.

UUP:

• The UUP has committed to acting to ensure each council pays its bills promptly. The UUP will seek to appoint a Prompt Payment Champion in each council, which will make public its payments data and ensure that it pays interest on late payments. 

• The UUP is determined to shake-up the current planning system and to invest in NI’s declining water and sewage systems.

• The UUP has promised to continue the delivery of City and Growth Deals, and to create global centres of innovation and excellence in key growth areas.

Green Party:

• To develop a greener and more sustainable planning system, the Green Party, has committed to put the community first, by introducing a requirement that community representatives are involved in pre-application discussions to ensure early, proactive community input into plans.

• The Green Party has pledged to address the gap left behind by the European Social Fund, and other cuts to the community and voluntary sector.

• The Green Party has committed to ensuring all councils have a zero-waste plan by 2026, to enable businesses to transition away from single use materials.

TUV:

• The TUV has promised to develop a more equitable distribution of the rates burden. The party also advocates for NI to create a strategy for businesses to enhance employment opportunities, along with training and upskilling workers.

• The TUV has committed to providing adequate funding for basic preventative maintenance in housing, and investment into the direct labor organization DLO.

• The TUV has pledged to support education services by investing in the recruitment of teachers and the development of fair pay. The party has also committed to harnessing children’s skills and talents and helping them connect with local businesses.

People Before Profit:

• People Before Profit has pledged to end all privatisation of Council services. People Before Profit has also pledged to end wasteful expenditure on private consulting and to re-invest money currently funneled into private sector into council services.

• ·People Before Profit has pledged to force developers to prioritise the development of more social housing, and to cap local rent prices to become more affordable.

• People Before Profit are committed to dealing with rising rate prices and are seeking to implement a fairer system.

Brown O'Connor Communications Local Government Election Briefing Series 2023: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

KEY POINTS 

• The biggest nationalist majority of any council in Northern Ireland.

• Sinn Féin pulled ahead of the SDLP to become the largest party on the council in 2019. 

• Just one of two councils where the UUP were bigger than the DUP after the last election (though defections subsequently reversed that position).

ABOUT THE COUNCIL AREA

The new Newry, Mourne and Down District Council replaced the former Down District and Newry and Mourne District Councils, with the addition of a small corner of the old Banbridge District Council. It’s the third largest council in terms of population and electorate; fourth largest in terms of geographic area. The council hugs the coastline, taking in Strangford, Newcastle, Kilkeel and Rostrevor, and stretching inland from Saintfield to Crossmaglen, and includes the town of Downpatrick and city of Newry. A total of 41 councillors are elected.

PREVIOUS ELECTION

• Sinn Féin gained two seats to become the largest party at the last election.

• The SDLP lost three seats and their share of the vote fell by seven percentage points.

• Alliance more than tripled their vote but failed to gain any extra seats. 

• The UUP overtook the DUP as the largest Unionist party (though defections have since reversed that position).

SINCE 2019

• Harry Harvey (DUP) and Liz Kimmins (Sinn Féin) were co-opted to the NI Assembly. 

• Patrick Brown (Alliance) and Cathy Mason (Sinn Féin) were elected to the NI Assembly.

• One councillor died during the last council term, another shifted DEA, and a handful resigned and were replaced.

• Two DUP councillors briefly resigned from the party and sat as independents for three months before re-joining their old party.

• Harold McKee left the UUP and joined the TUV a fortnight later. 

• Independent Cadogan Enright joined the Alliance Party last summer. 

• UUP councillor Alan Lewis and independent Henry Reilly joined the DUP last summer.

COMMENTARY

The most solidly nationalist council in Northern Ireland was a real dog fight at the last election between the SDLP and Sinn Féin for dominance. The SDLP will be running a defensive operation this year, trying to hold territory from Sinn Féin and Alliance inroads in DEAs such as Downpatrick, Newry and Crotlieve. Sinn Féin is seeking to extend its lead by targeting to steal one of the SDLP’s three seats in Downpatrick, and is hopeful to gain one in Newry now that poll-topping independent Gavin Malone is not defending his seat.

Malone attracted 1.6 quotas of first preference votes in 2019 and analysis of the transfer of his surplus would suggest that Sinn Féin (around 40% second preferences), SDLP (35%) and Alliance (23%) will benefit from his absence in this poll if his supporters come out to vote. The Newry count will be one to watch as the final two seats are hard to predict between Sinn Féin, SDLP and Alliance (who could do well if more UUP voters transferred to them than back in 2019).

Within unionism, shifts in party allegiance will be tested at the ballot box.

Harold McKee and Henry Reilly are no strangers on the ballot paper for The Mournes DEA. Briefly UUP MLA for South Down, Harold McKee later defected to the TUV and this year could become the party’s first candidate to be successfully elected onto this council. For more than a decade, Henry Reilly was a UUP candidate in the old The Mournes DEA before topping the poll as a UKIP candidate in 2011 and 2014. Reilly joined the TUV for a year (Nov 2015–Nov 2016) and was comfortably elected as an independent in 2019. He’s now standing as the DUP candidate, his fifth affiliation in the area.

Unionism attracted 3.2 quotas of first preference votes in The Mournes at the last election and picked up three seats. The UUP are running Lloyd Douglas to regain this seat and it will be a critical battle for the party as their status as the largest unionist party on the council depends on his success. 

Changes in affiliation may feature in results elsewhere in the council. Formerly a Green candidate, Cadogan Enright was elected as an independent in Downpatrick in 2014 and 2019. Having joined Alliance last year, Enright is running for his new party and could become their first elected councillor in Downpatrick. Newry is another target for the party, while Rowallane could come into play if there is a big swing away from the SDLP and UUP. 

Slieve Gullion’s count was over in 2019 after just four stages. A wider field (up from 10 to 13) will slow down the process. Rowallane may be quickest to complete this year with just nine candidates chasing five seats.

Crotlieve DEA ultimately required nine stages to elect its six councillors from a field of 13 candidates. With 15 on the ballot this year, it could be a cumbersome DEA to complete.

Young athletes awarded over £75k in Better Bursaries and Cash Awards

GLL Sport Foundation award recipients Matthew Cheung (Badminton – current National Number One), Fionnuala Turner (Netball) and Darius Roohi (Futsal). 

Some 124 young sporting stars in Belfast have been awarded bursaries worth over £75,000 by social enterprise GLL to help them pursue their sporting ambitions.

At an awards ceremony in Belfast City Hall, some of the city’s most promising young talent received the bursaries in what is the 15th year of the GLL Sport Foundation awards.

Athletes included Commonwealth Gold and Olympic Bronze medalist Aidan Walsh who is currently ranked number one nationally, and eighth in the world. Other supported athletes include: 

• Michaela Walsh – Boxing (World ranking no.4 / National ranking no.1)

• John Paul Hale – Boxing (World ranking no. 34 / National ranking no.1)

• Hannah McGugan – Squash (World ranking no.254 / National ranking no.2)

• Matthew Cheung – Badminton (National ranking no.1)

The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) is the largest independent athlete support programme in the UK and supports gifted young athletes, many of whom rely on these bursaries alone to compete at national and international levels.

Local recipients in Belfast this year include 124 individuals, 74% of whom receive no other central funding towards their sporting journey and rely heavily on the support to meet the costs of competing. Of this, 60 recipients are aged under 21 while 25 are aged under 16.

Awarded in partnership with the Mary Peters Trust, athletes supported by the GSF this year received financial grants of up to £1,000 as well as training support, access to all GLL facilities including Better gyms, and leisure centre membership. The access to cutting edge facilities and specialist equipment means the young athletes can meet their training commitments at some of the best gyms in the country.

The GSF is delivered in Belfast by GLL, the social enterprise which runs the 15 ‘Better’ leisure centres across the city. Since launching in Belfast in 2015, the GSF has provided over 773 awards worth over £500,000. Previous GSF supported athletes include Paralympian Michael McKillop, Irish Olympic marathon runner and winner of the 40th Belfast City Marathon 2022 Paul Pollock, and Irish Hockey International Shirley McCay.

In its 15 years, the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has been at the forefront of developing local young athletic talent with an impressive 25,000 awards totaling £14m made across the UK since 2008.

Matthew Cheung (Badminton – current National Number One); GLL Regional Director Tony Wallace; Fionnuala Turner (Netball); GLL Regional Business Manager Jonathan Michael and Darius Roohi (Futsal).

GSF supported Boxer and Olympic bronze medalist Aidan Walsh said:

“The support provided by GLL in helping me pursue my dreams is something I will always be grateful for, and it has undoubtedly made a difference to me in my own career. Access to great training facilities makes a huge difference - having the right equipment and gyms to train in helps me and others to compete at a world-class level. The support I’ve received from GLL is invaluable, supporting me as a young boxer right through to winning bronze at the Olympics. I’ve no doubt there are lots of future Olympians who will be helped on their journey with this support.”

Regional Business Manager at GLL Jonathan Michael said:

“There is nothing more rewarding to us than being able to support young athletes on every step of their sporting journeys and it is fantastic to be able to recognise their talent and reward their efforts. As well as being hugely talented, all of this year’s athletes demonstrate the highest commitment to their chosen sport, through the long, grueling hours they train, to the achievements they make locally, nationally and internationally. These stories drive and inspire us, and they are an excellent example to other young people coming behind them.”

Local Government Election Briefing Series 2023: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

KEY POINTS 

• Best vote share in a DEA for the UUP anywhere in Northern Ireland in 2019. 

• DUP, Sinn Féin and UUP all within one seat of each other. 

• Alliance secured representation (three seats) on the council for the first time in 2019. 

ABOUT THE COUNCIL AREA

The Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council merged the old Armagh City & District Council, Banbridge District Council and Craigavon Borough Council, with the exception of the Ballyward ward (Banbridge), and the addition of the Charlemont ward (Dungannon). The new council has by far the largest electorate of any of the 40 or 41 seat councils outside Belfast. 

PREVIOUS ELECTION

• The DUP remained the dominant party on council in 2019 despite dropping to 11 seats. 

• Sinn Féin moved into second place with 22.0% share of the vote and 10 councillors elected.

• While their overall vote share (21.6%) and seat tally (10) was down across the council, three UUP councillors were elected in Banbridge DEA with a massive 36.1% of the vote, their best result in any district across Northern Ireland.

• Alliance more than doubled their vote to 7.4% with three councillors elected for the first time.

SINCE 2019

• Paul Rankin (DUP) was co-opted to the Assembly in February 2022 but was co-opted back onto council after he failed to hold the seat in the May 2022 Assembly election.

• Eóin Tennyson (Alliance) was elected to the Assembly in May 2022. 

• Darryn Causby resigned from the DUP in the wake of Edwin Poots standing down as party leader in June 2021, served as an independent before re-joining the party in November 2021, and then resigned as a councillor and was replaced in November 2022.

• One councillor died and a number of others resigned and were replaced during the council term. 

COMMENTARY 

This will be an interesting council area to watch, not just to see the internal battle within unionism, but also to see how unionism is performing overall. The DUP are targeting gains at the expense of the UUP with seats in Armagh and Cusher the most vulnerable. Unionism holds a narrow majority on this council and a small swing to Sinn Féin and Alliance could see the pro-union parties lose control of the council for the first time. 

Independent councillor Paul Berry is once again seeking re-election in Cusher and is safely sitting just north of a quota of first preferences. Keith Radcliffe ran for the TUV in Newry & Armagh at the last Assembly election, polling a credible 5,407 first preference votes. His entry onto the Cusher ballot paper will further split the unionist vote (a solid 73% of first preferences in 2019) and make the final seat (won by the UUP with a margin of just 1.84 votes in 2019) a three-way contest between DUP, TUV and UUP.

Every vote counts in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon. The final seat was won with fewer than 50 votes in four of the council DEAs at the last election. Despite starting with 0.9 of a quota of first preference votes, the DUP lost out to Sinn Féin in Armagh by 9.7 votes.

Alliance will want to capitalise on their strong showing at the last Assembly election and increase their seat count. On paper, Craigavon DEA should be a target for growth, although former Alliance candidate Jackie Coade is now standing for the SDLP in Craigavon (replacing Thomas Larkham who is stepping down at this election). This will be an interesting battle between the two parties and may reflect each party’s wider fortunes at the ballot box. It may also be a quick battle with only eight candidates standing for five seats!

Local Government Election Briefing Series 2023: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

KEY POINTS

• Battle between UUP and Alliance for second place.

• Unionism lost six seats in 2019 and could lose overall majority in 2023.

• Increasingly diverse council with competition from Sinn Féin and Greens. 

• Third lowest turnout in Northern Ireland (49.1%).

ABOUT THE COUNCIL AREA

Under the reform of local government, the borough councils of Antrim and Newtownabbey were merged into the new Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The council includes the towns of Antrim and Ballyclare, wrapping around the north eastern corner of Lough Neagh, and stretching from Toome to Ballynure, and from Crumlin across to Glengormley and the Belfast loughshore at Jordanstown.

PREVIOUS ELECTION

• Gains for Alliance (3) and Sinn Féin (2) in 2019.

• TUV lost both their councillors at last election.

• Green Party narrowly missed out on a seat in Glengormley Urban. 

• A new independent easily won a seat in Ballyclare.

SINCE 2019

• Danny Kinahan resigned and was replaced following his appointment as NI Veterans Commissioner.

• The DUP’s Dean McCullough was co-opted onto Belfast City Council.

• Phillip Brett was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

• Two councillors died, and a number of other councillors resigned and were replaced during the term.

COMMENTARY

2019 was a bad overall election for unionist parties in this council area with the DUP, UUP and TUV dropping six seats between them. In terms of dominance, the DUP remained the largest party with 14 councillors, followed by the UUP (9).

However, Alliance is in contention to overtake the UUP at this election. It currently holds seven seats and even a small swing would make them competitive for another two or three (Ballyclare, a second in Antrim and maybe even Glengormley Urban). Alliance success is likely to mean there is no longer a unionist majority on the council.

Another party targeting a seat in Glengormley Urban will be the Green Party, who finished just 68 votes behind Sinn Féin at the last election. TUV councillor for Ballyclare, David Arthurs, ran as an independent in 2019 but failed to be reelected. TUV stalwart Mel Lucas is on the ballot this year hoping to win it back.

Sinn Féin has grown in confidence in this council area with gains in 2019 which saw them overtake the SDLP as the largest nationalist party. They currently hold five seats to the SDLP’s four and will be challenging for wins in Antrim and Dunsilly.

Independent candidate Michael Stewart – behind the “Love Ballyclare” Facebook page – easily won a seat with more than a quota of first preference votes in 2019. This was one of the more noteworthy independent gains at the last election, and he’s likely to be competitive again in the upcoming poll.