New councillors welcomed to first meeting at Cloonavin

Councillors Claire Sugden and Michelle Knight-McQuillan took their seats at Cloonavin for the first time as councillors on Tuesday night.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Dec 2013, 10:00 BST

MLAs David McClarty and Adrian McQuillan were forced to stand down as Coleraine councillors because of new Assembly legislation.

Speaking after a welcome by the Mayor, Independent councillor Sugden said: “It is a privilege to be sitting amongst you this evening. A privilege afforded to me by David McClarty.”

She went on to acknowledge David’s contribution to the Council, and added: “I am looking forward to working with each one of you, including the very capable administration behind us. I have met with a number of them this past week and realise their expertise and experience.”

New DUP councillor Knight-McQuillan echoed councillor Sugden’s comments adding: “It is a privilege to be here.”

She too paid tribute to the man she replaced, Adrian McQuillan MLA, adding that she hoped to contribute to the Council in a similar way he had.