Page 111 - The Bellfort - Summer 2015

Community Relations in Dunclug Ballymena Borough force throughout the pro- enjoyed speaking to our lo- Council wins Silver award cess.’ cal councillors and hearing about their council business Ballymena Borough Coun- Cllr Billy Henry said: ‘When I and their reasons for be- cil’s Youth Council ini- instigated this process just coming an elected repre- tiaitive received a silver over two years ago I never sentative. award at the Commissioner thought for a minute that for children and young Peo- we would get to the stage The mock council election ple Awards(NICCY) . A where we were in the run- group of students from ning for an award, never Dunclug were invited to mind receiving one. attend the awards ceremo- ny in the Stormont Hotel The hard work that has along with a delegation made this accolade possible from the council including has come from Ballymena Mayor Audrey Wales, Coun- Learning Together, the par- cillor Timothy Gaston and ticipating schools, Council Councillor Billy Henry. ofcers and the Ballymena was interesting because it elected mem- showed me how the council bers who have decision making process participated – takes place and I was partic- and to them I ularly surprised at the for- give my thanks mality of the proceedings. and congratula- tions.’ I would like to thank Mayor Wales, Councillor Henry, Kirsten Collins Councillor Gaston and Coun- is a pupil at cil staf for the time they Dunclug Col- have spent focussing on and lege who has encouraging the young peo- participated in ple of Ballymena to become Cllr Audrey Wales MBE, the mock youth council and more involved in local poli- said: ‘Ballymena Borough attended the awards cere- tics.’ Council is delighted to re- mony. She said: ‘I really en- ceive this award and to be joyed the youth participa- recognised in our eforts to tion pro- get the Borough’s young gramme or- people more involved in lo- ganised by cal politics. On behalf of Ballymena Council can I sincerely thank Borough and congratulate everyone Council be- who worked so hard to cause it gave make this outstanding me an in- This project has received youth project such a suc- sight into fnancial support from OF- cess, with particular men- areas of the MDFM through Ballymena tion to Councillor Billy Henry council of which I had no Borough Council’s Good who has been a real driving knowledge. I particularly Relations Unit. THE BELLFORT SUMMER 2015 111