'Strong, effective voice' on housing is vow of new chair

A CARRICK representative has been elected as the new Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Council at the annual general meeting in Cookstown.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Sep 2010, 11:47 BST
Updated 10th Sep 2010, 17:19 BST

Councillor Jim Brown (above right), who is a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council, succeeds Fermanagh Councillor Gerry Gallagher.

Accepting the position, Councillor Brown thanked members for their confidence and support. He also paid tribute to Mr Gallagher, the first nationalist chairman of the advisory body for his dedicated service throughout the past 12 months.

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“Gerry has worked tirelessly this year to bring housing to the fore of government’s agenda and to raise the profile of the Housing Council. He has led several delegations to Ministers to pursue Housing Council objectives on housing and housing-related matters and has done so in a statesman-like manner”.

Referring to the year ahead, Councillor Brown added: “I look forward to working with my new Vice-Chairman, Councillor Bobby McKee (Larne Borough Council) and all other members to ensure the housing needs of those in greatest stress are met.

“In the current funding climate the road ahead will be difficult, but the Housing Council will continue to strive to give a strong, effective voice to those who need it most.”

Councillor Brown has served on the Housing Council over two terms – from 1985 to 1987 and from 2005 to the present.