Electoral areas public inquiry

The inquiry for the new Mid & East Antrim local authority will be held in the Ross Park Hotel, Kells, on Thursday, September 5, from 10am-12.30pm and from 1.30-5pm.

The District Electoral Areas Commissioner announced on Thursday that public inquiries will be held into his provisional recommendations for the make-up and naming of District Electoral Areas which will be used for the purpose of future local government elections.

The one-day inquiries will be presided over by Assistant Commissioners and will provide an opportunity for the public to discuss the various objections that were received during the recent consultation period.

Objections must relate to the proposed grouping of wards and the naming of the electoral areas only and each inquiry corresponds to the new local government district concerned.

Anyone wishing to make a presentation at an inquiry should arrive at 9.30am for registration, in order to arrange a timetable of speakers.

The Commissioner, Dick Mackenzie, said “The inquiries are a vital part of the process leading to the final shape of the electoral areas which will be used for the election of councillors to the new local government districts.”

The written representations received about the provisional recommendations can be viewed on the Commissioner’s website at www.deac-ni.org.