Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is a local authority that was established on 1 April 2015. It replaces
Antrim Borough Council and
Newtownabbey Borough Council
Newtownabbey Borough Council was a Local Authority in County Antrim in Northern Ireland, on the north shore of Belfast Lough just immediately north of Belfast. The Council merged with Antrim Borough Council in April 2015 under local government r ...
. A statutory transition committee was established in 2013 to prepare for the merger. The first elections to the authority were on
22 May 2014 with 73 candidates standing for 40 seats. The authority acted in shadow form until the formal creation of the
Antrim and Newtownabbey district on 1 April 2015.
Transition committee
The statutory transition committee was established in 2013 with a membership of eight councillors each from Antrim Borough Council and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The purpose of the committee was to ensure that the new council would be ready to operate from 1 April 2015; to plan for the period up to and after the election of the shadow council; to arrange the first meeting of the shadow council; and to appoint a chief executive.
Borough status
A new local government district was created on 1 April 2015 and is formally called the
Antrim and Newtownabbey District
Ulster Scots: ''Anthrim an Newtownabbey''
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, while the council is the Antrim and Newtownabbey District Council. Both of the previous authorities merged into it had
borough status, which entitled them to be known as borough councils and the districts to be known as boroughs. The 2013 corporate plan of the statutory transition committee indicated that the new council was expected to retain this status.
Mayoralty
Mayor
Deputy Mayor
Councillors
For the purpose of elections the council is divided into seven district electoral areas (DEAs).
Seat summary
Councillors by electoral area
This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 2 May 2019.
†'' Co-opted to fill a vacancy since the election.''
‡'' New party affiliation since the election.
Last updated 19 June 2022.''
''For further details see
2019 Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council election.''
Population
The area covered by the new Council had a population of 138,567 residents according to the 2011 Northern Ireland census.
The population of Antrim and Newtownabbey was 145,661 at the time of the 2021 Census. An increase of 5.1% since the 2011 Census.
Christmas in the Borough
In September 2018 the council cancelled the Christmas tree and lights switch on for the town of
Crumlin. The move, to reduce the budget allocation for Christmas across the borough, was the result of a rate reduction for
Belfast International Airport, Aldergrove, to the tune of £1,000,000. Crumlin was to be the only town in the borough without a Christmas tree or lights in 2018, and the only town in Northern Ireland without council funding for Christmas. The initial proposals on Christmas funding came before the council in November 2017, when an amendment to the motion was moved to include Crumlin, but the vote was tied at 18-18, and the Mayor used his
casting vote
A casting vote is a vote that someone may exercise to resolve a tied vote in a deliberative body. A casting vote is typically by the presiding officer of a council, legislative body, committee, etc., and may only be exercised to break a deadlock ...
against it.
However, a number of Christmas events took place across the Borough in 2018. Community groups received funding from the council to organise Christmas switch on events, and there were street markets at the switch on events at Antrim, Ballyclare, Glengormley, and Randalstown.
The Enchanted Winter Garden returned to
Antrim Castle
Antrim Castle or Massereene Castle was a fortified mansion in Antrim, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, on the banks of the Sixmilewater River. It was built in stages between 1613 and 1662. It was destroyed by fire in 1922 and finally demolish ...
's Gardens from 7 to 17 December. An Evening of Inclusive Enchantment was planned for 18 December, with reduced numbers, lighting, and sound levels, a sensory and quiet room, ideal for children and adults with additional needs.
See also
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Local government in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is divided into 11 districts for local government purposes. In Northern Ireland, local councils do not carry out the same range of functions as those in the rest of the United Kingdom; for example they have no responsibility f ...
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2014 Northern Ireland local elections
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Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom
This article documents the strengths of political parties in the 333 local authorities of England, 32 local authorities of Scotland, 22 principal councils of Wales and 11 local councils of Northern Ireland.
England's 333 local authorities are ...
References
External links
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{{NI districts
District councils of Northern Ireland
Politics of County Antrim