Three are shortlisted as names for new council

Three are shortlisted as names for new council

17 December 2014

THE Newry, Mourne and Down shadow council is to choose its new name early next month.

The super council — one of 11 which will be formally launched in the spring — has been created as a result of the merger of Newry and Mourne and Down councils.

But the question on everyone’s lips is what will be the name of the new council which covers a vast area stretching from Strangford Lough to Carlingford Lough? The name of the new super council will be decided on January 7.

Politicians met last week to discuss the issue and a select list was whittled down to a final three — South Down/South Armagh Council, Slieve Lough Council and the Mournes Regional Council.

While politicians are remaining tight-lipped, the Recorder understands many favour the Mournes Regional Council. Some argue Slieve Lough Council will mean nothing to people in either Down or Newry and Mourne, while some unionists are concerned about the South Down/South Armagh title.

Ahead of the debate on the new council name, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and Down Council chairman Billy Walker agree that the Mournes — which straddles both council areas which are to merge — could be a significant factor in deciding the new name.

Miss Ritchie said the new council area covers lowlands, significant mountain ranges and many settlements where tourism is one of the principle economic and income drivers. She believes the debate on the new council name needs to focus on St Patrick’s County, the Mournes and Gullion. 

The MP said the new council will have enhanced powers in terms of planning, community planning and off-street parking to be followed in 2016 with regeneration powers. 

She continued: “Some £11m has been allocated out of European Rural Development monies for new Local Action Groups covering the Newry and Mourne and Down area and allocating the money is a considerable task and an unenviable challenge for the new council.

“It’s therefore important the council receives all the support it can to enable councillors to reflect on the fact that the name of the new organisation reflects the geography, the physical characteristics, the tourism and economic priorities and the identities of the Newry and Mourne and Down region.”

Miss Ritchie added: “The new council contains such areas as St Patrick’s Country, encompassing Rowallane, Lecale and Downpatrick, the Mournes, Newry and Gullion and must be facilitated to become the economic power house and generator of jobs, income and wealth for all its citizens.”

Councillor Walker said he would have no issue with the Mournes Regional Council title as the mountain range is literally in the middle of the two local authorities which are to merge.

“The Mournes are known the world over and one of the new council’s key priorities will be enhancing and developing the area’s tourism profile. I believe the Mournes Regional Council name would greatly assist this drive and would be one people would easily identify with.”

Councillor Walker believes unionists “would have issues” with the South Down/South Armagh name, suggesting no one would have any idea which area the Slieve Lough council would cover.

He added: “The Mournes Regional Council would be my favourite and I firmly believe it’s a name many people in the new council area would accept and support. It’s a name which easily identifies the new council area.”