Mayor's Speech
Mayoral Address – June 2022
Firstly, I want to thank the outgoing Mayor Graham Warke for a fantastic year representing everyone in our city and communities.
After some difficult years under covid restrictions it was such a delight to see Graham embrace the mayors role and go out into every corner of our district and bring joy to so many people.
You have done an amazing job while also raising thousands of pounds for the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, and importantly created a huge bond with the wonderful children, one of my highlights from the Mayors ball was watching Eves performance, she is amazing.
The children have really become part of the fabric of the Guildhall now and I hope to continue to build and strengthen that relationship.
A huge thanks also to my Sinn Féin party colleague Christopher Jackson on your year as deputy Mayor.
And to both your families who are a shoulder of support during what can be very long days with loads of travelling around the city and district.
I want to congratulate Angela on her appointment as the Deputy Mayor, I am sure as two Ballyarnett councillors we will work well together! Congratulations also to everyone who has been appointed tonight as a chair or vice chair of committee, I wish you all the very best for the year ahead.
For me it a massive honour to be elected as Mayor of DerryCity and Strabane District council today.
I also want to thank my family, and my party colleagues, for their support.
Without their guidance and backing, I wouldn’t be able to take on this role, I want to pay particular tribute to my husband who has always been a tower of strength to me over the years and has pushed me to take every opportunity especially after a difficult time as a family.
For anyone who knows me will know that I’m passionate about our city and the people who live here.
From day one, I will be a Mayor for All.
And I will work with others [across this chamber] to deliver real change for ordinary workers and families across Derry and Strabane.
To tackle the cost-of-living crisis and invest in our communities.
To support workers and families who are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.
As a local Council, we must do everything possible to support people.
Derry and Strabane has huge potential to grow and thrive, for the city and district to be a great place to live, work and socialise, we have exciting times ahead.
I will work to continue the transformation of the city, to grow the local economy and boost tourism by supporting our local businesses to create jobs.
To ensure that the next generation has a future here.
Only by working together and promoting the opportunities that exist in our city, will we deliver for people.
I’m ready to get to work as your Mayor.
For over 20 years, I have worked to tackle homelessness and ensure people have an affordable roof over their head.
That is why I have chosen First Housing Aid & Support Services as my Mayoral Charity for the year.
I will be organising initiatives to raise funds to support the work they do to support families and vulnerable people who find themselves without a home, particularly people battling challenging circumstances through addiction and mental health.
And I plan to work with the charity to set up a fund for people who are exiting homelessness and setting up a home to help them with costs of buying fuel, electricity, and furniture.
To give people a decent crack at a better future.
While I am Mayor, the Guildhall will be open to every single citizen of this Council area.
It is your Guildhall. A space to make your voice heard on the type of change you want to see.
My door will always be open.
I look forward to meeting and speaking with people right across the city and district over the next year, their views are what are important.
I look forward to getting straight to work…