Infrastructure Minister appoints Councillors to the Drainage Council
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins has appointed Callum Bowsie, Philip Campbell, Michael Goodman, Keith Kerrigan, and Mervyn Storey to serve as Non-Executive Councillor Members on the Drainage Council.
The appointments took effect from 1 May 2025 and will be for a maximum of four years.
Minister Kimmins said:
“I am pleased to announce the appointments of the Councillors to these roles. The Drainage Council performs the hugely important scrutiny function of our drainage and flood defences across the North and I am confident that these appointments will maintain the high standard of work set by previous Members.”
The Drainage Council is a non-Departmental Public Body established under the Drainage (NI) Order 1973. It performs a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department’s drainage functions and has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage issues throughout the North. This includes overseeing the impartial and consistent application of drainage and flood defence works, and, designating watercourses and sea defences for maintenance at public expense.
Notes to editors:
- The power to appoint members to the Drainage Council lies solely with the Minister for Infrastructure as stipulated under schedule 1 to the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 rather than the Department.
- The Department’s responsibilities include the management of flood risk. This involves undertaking watercourse and coastal flood management in a sustainable manner. The Drainage Council exists to perform a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department’s drainage functions and has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage issues throughout Northern Ireland. The Council’s membership is set out in legislation (Schedule 1 of the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973.
- The Drainage Council Northern Ireland consists of 10 representatives from local Councils, two ex-officio members who are officials within the Department and one ‘specialist’ representative for each of the following: drainage; agriculture; fisheries; industry; conservation; and tourism.
- The appointments are non-remunerated.
- The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Callum Bowsie, Mervyn Storey and Keith Kerrigan have declared that they have undertaken political activity on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party. Philip Campbell and Michael Goodman have declared that they have undertaken political activity on behalf of Sinn Fein. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
- The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
- Biographies
Callum Bowsie
Callum Bowsie has been a councillor for Rowallane DEA in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council since 2022. He currently sits on its Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee, and its Audit Committee. As President of Crossgar Historical Society, Callum has a keen interest in local heritage and environmental issues affecting old settlements and the countryside. He holds no other public appointments.
Philip Campbell
Philip Campbell has been a Councillor for Downpatrick DEA on Newry Mourne and Down Council since 2023. He is currently a member of the Planning Committee and the Active Healthy Communities Committee. He is a nominated member of the South Eastern Health Trust's Area Integrated Partnership Board, and is also a Trustee of the River Quoile Trust. He holds no other public appointments.
Michael Goodman
Michael has been a councillor for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council representing the Glengormley Urban DEA since 2014. He has been a member of the Economic Development Committee since 2016 and is currently the Deputy Chair. He has also been a member of the Audit and Risk Committee since 2019.
Michael is also currently chair of arc21 and a member of the Joint Committee. He has also previous sat on Community Planning, Operations and Policy and Governance Committees. He holds no other public appointments.
Keith Kerrigan
Keith Kerrigan has been a Councillor for the Derg DEA on Derry City & Strabane District Council since 2019. He currently Chairs the Environment & Regeneration Committee and also sits on the Planning and Audit Committees, as well as the local PCSP. He has a background in Accounting and Agriculture and is actively Involved in a number of local community groups and organisations. Keith has been a Board member of the NIHE since 1st March 2024, for which he receives the sum of £6,890 per annum. He holds no other public appointments.
Mervyn Storey
Mervyn was elected to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in 2023, representing the Ballymoney Ward, having previously been a member of the NI Assembly from 2001- 2022. As of the 1 January 2025, he is Chair of the Education Authority (remuneration £52,550 per annum), and from 1April 2024, also Chair of the NIPF (renumeration £6,000 per annum). He holds no other public appointments.
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