STEVENSON TO BECOME DERRY’S LAST EVER MAYOR TONIGHT

Brenda Stevenson.

With Derry amalgamating with Strabane to form the Derry City and Strabane District Council – which will assume local authority powers for the North West region on 1 April next – the last annual general meeting of Derry City Council will take place in the Guildhall tonight.

It is the SDLP’s turn once again to hold the Mayoral role and the party has selected Cllr Stevenson – who failed to get elected on to the new Derry-Strabane “super council” – to be the city’s last ever First Citizen, succeeding her party colleague, Cllr Martin Reilly.

Cllr Stevenson, a niece of former SDLP leader John Hume, said she was “delighted” at becoming Mayor of the city.

Cllr Martin Reilly.

She added: “I promise to be the best Mayor ever.”

And she paid tribute to her predecessor.

She said: “I have big shoes to fill. Martin and Bronagh have been great ambassadors for our great Legenderry city.”

Cllr Stevenson: “I will endeavour to do my best for each and every citizen of our great city.”

She concluded: “Thanks for all the messages of support I really appreciate each and every one.”

Cllr Reilly was among the first to congratulate Cllr Stevenson.

He said:”I know she’ll be a determined advocate and a passionate voice for our city.”

Cllr Stevenson failed to get elected to the new “super council” in last week’s local government election.

Meanwhile, the historic first meeting of the Derry City and Strabane District Council will take place this Wednesday night when the 40 elected members will choose a presiding councillor (chairperson).

The new “super council`’ will sit in “shadow form” to both Derry City Council and Strabane District Council before assuming taking over from both local authorities in April next year.