Extension of Members appointments to the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced that the appointment term of the members of the Drainage Council for Northern Ireland has been extended.

Minister Mallon said;

“I want to thank the current board members for their continued service to the Drainage Council.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing members, Dr Bernie Lafferty and Councillor Samuel Cole for their valuable contributions to the Drainage Council during their tenure.”

The extensions for local government members are effective from 1 June 2020 and the Specialist representatives will be extended from 1 July 2020.

The extensions have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Drainage Council is an independent advisory body, responsible for providing a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department for Infrastructure’s drainage functions. It has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage issues throughout Northern Ireland.
2. The Drainage Council for Northern Ireland currently has a membership of the 9 members, this number includes two DfI representatives.
3. Members of the Drainage Council can claim travel expenses reasonably incurred on Drainage Council business but receive no other remuneration for their work.
4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Professor Strong, Mr Wilson and Mr Kerr have confirmed that they have not undertaken any political activity. Councillor Adger declared that she has undertaken political activity on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party.  Councillors Swift and Enwright have declared that they have undertaken political activity as Independent candidates. Councillor Webb has declared that he has undertaken political activity on behalf of the Alliance Party.
5. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) does not reappoint board members to a second term without competition. These are extensions rather than reappointments.
6. The recruitment process for Councillors had been underway but was then suspended as a result of COVID 19. The conclusion of this process will commence as soon as practical.
7. The Councillors extensions will finish once the current recruitment process for local government representatives has concluded and new Councillors have been appointed by the DfI Minister.
8. The Specialist representative’s extensions will finish 30 April 2021.
9.  Professor Alan Strong MBE, represents the drainage specialism. He is a Visiting Professor in Civil Engineering at University of Ulster, Smart Region Collaborative Officer at South West College, and has Board appointments with the NI Commonwealth Games Council, Methodist College Belfast and at Brunel University. In his professional career, Professor Strong has overseen significant hydrological research and has led and designed flood prevention schemes. He conducted a comprehensive Review of the 2015/16 Winter Flooding in Northern Ireland.  Professor Strong has been a member of the Drainage Council from 3 December 2015.
10. Mr Andrew Wilson, represents agricultural interests. Mr Wilson is a full-time farmer in County Fermanagh. He is on the Board of the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) representing County Fermanagh and was the County Chairperson of UFU in Fermanagh. He currently represents the agricultural industry on the Lough Erne Liaison Committee. Mr Wilson has been a member of the Drainage Council from 15 December 2012.
11. Mr Brendan Kerr, represents fisheries interests. Mr Kerr is Vice-Chairperson of Ballycastle Angling Club and is a fully qualified Game Angling Instructor. Mr Kerr is a consultant with Natural Living Assets and has worked for Agri-Food and Bio-Sciences Institute (AFBI) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Inland Fisheries Division. He has conducted electro-fishing surveys for AFBI and prepared water samples for chemical analysis on behalf of DAERA. Mr Kerr has been a member of the Drainage Council from 15 December 2012.
12. Cllr Beth Adger MBE, is a representative for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Cllr Adger is Chair of the Board of Governors of Harryville Primary School. She demonstrates a sound understanding of flood risk management issues and is committed to supporting residents and advocating their needs at Drainage Council. Councillor Adger has been a member of the Drainage Council from 3 December 2015.
13. Cllr Bernice Swift, is a representative for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and has been a District Councillor since 2005. Cllr Swift is a qualified Victims Practitioner and has been Director of Firinne, Enniskillen, since January 2004. She demonstrates a sound appreciation of flood risk management issues and makes a significant contribution to Drainage Council. Councillor Swift has been a member of the Drainage Council from 15 December 2012.
14. Cllr Billy Webb, is a representative for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Cllr Webb sits on the Rent Assessment Panel of the Department of Justice and is a member of the Board of Governors of Whitehouse Primary School and St James Primary School Newtownabbey. Cllr Webb brings a wide range of experience and insight to Drainage Council business. He is a member of NI Rent Assessment Panel, remunerated at £60 per half day attended. He is also a member of Libraries NI, remunerated at £3,000 per annum. Councillor Webb has been a member of the Drainage Council from 3 December 2015.
15. Cllr Cadogan Enright, is a representative for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Cllr Enright is also a Director of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Board where he is remunerated at £4,500 per annum.  He is a long-standing member of the Strangford Lough Management Advisory Board. Cllr Enright brings a consistent, thoughtful and insightful contribution to the working of Drainage Council. Councillor Enright has been a member of the Drainage Council from 3 December 2015.
16. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press  at press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
17. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra

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