Alliance Councillor Amanda Grehan has been elected as the new Deputy Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
Taking on the role at the Council’s annual general meeting, the local Councillor said she was ‘honoured’ to be following in the footsteps of her Alliance colleagues Councillor Stephen Martin, who previously held the role, as well as out-going Alliance Mayor, Councillor Tim Morrow.
Councillor Grehan said: “I’m honoured and delighted to be the next Deputy Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh and I look forward to promoting the Alliance Party’s vision of a shared society during my term.
“I take over this role from another woman. In recent years, the role women play in our society has changed as more women have come into positions of power. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for a single mother to be standing where I am now. I am grateful for the opportunity and wish to use it to emphasise that regardless of what life throws at you, with dedication and support from the right people anyone can attain high office. I want to represent a new generation of women and mothers playing a full role in public life.
“Lisburn and Castlereagh is a great place to live, work and visit and I am privileged to have been given this added opportunity to serve and I plan to reach out across the area to ensure we remain a welcoming, inclusive place for everyone.
“I’m also delighted to be following in the footsteps of our outgoing Mayor Tim Morrow and also Belfast’s Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister. Serving with great integrity, showing respect for everyone and becoming leading role models for their areas, Tim and Nuala have shown in practice the positive effect Alliance can have in top positions.”