Derry and Strabane council set to make historical past with Lilian Seenoi-Barr as NI’s first black mayor
Lilian Seenoi-Barr is now anticipated to be put ahead for the position, and can make historical past as Northern Eire’s first black mayor.
Nonetheless, there’s inner dissent over how the method to decide on the get together’s candidate unfolded.
Following a choice by Sinn Féin, and in a break with latest custom, there won’t be a unionist mayor within the four-year council time period.
Sinn Féin was entitled to appoint a mayor in three of the 4 years of the brand new council time period.
The SDLP as the following largest get together is entitled to this place within the remaining 12 months.
In a joint assertion, SDLP councillors Shauna Cusack, Jason Barr and Angela Dobbins expressed their frustration with the get together breaking from conference.
They stated: “Sadly by now you should have acquired notification that the choice conference organized for Monday coming to pick a Mayor for Derry Metropolis and Strabane District Council has been postponed. Please be suggested that this has not been postponed however cancelled.
“A lot of you will have been in contact to ask why, as you will have already made preparations to attend and up to date your membership accordingly, so that you deserve an evidence.
“This has occurred as a result of the administration committee/panel have determined earlier this week to reject cllr Shauna Cusack and cllr Jason Barr as candidates, eradicating us from the method and competitors, with a purpose to put just one candidate ahead for the submit.
“We had been suggested that this was the results of a retrospective, casual, on-line interview held on Monday, which we had been informed was a matter of process for constitutional functions.
“At no stage had been we suggested that this may decide our candidacy.
“As an elected rep with an 11-year mandate, widespread native profile and robust observe report on supply for the SDLP, alongside a present Deputy Mayor with a superb portfolio and group platform, by no means did we think about we might not have the calibre or standards to be eligible for the submit of Mayor of our metropolis and district, by no means thoughts not given the chance to current or compete in a democratic choice.
“As you’ll be conscious we had already been nominated and the three candidates particulars, in addition to the date of the choice, circulated to all 300 members by HQ.
“We had additionally been equipped together with your emails from HQ and canvassed you all to your assist. So this got here as a lot as a shock to us as I’m certain it does to you now.”
The assertion added: “I really feel it is crucial that you’re conscious of the total circumstances surrounding this shocking and irregular state of affairs as the knowledge from HQ is, in our opinion, fairly deceptive and evasive.
“To keep away from any confusion there will likely be no future date for a range conference competitors however slightly one to ratify the one candidate who has now been chosen by the administration committee.
“Each myself and Jason are extremely dissatisfied and annoyed that you just, as members, won’t be given the chance to vote to your candidate of option to be the following SDLP first citizen.
“We have now, like others, lodged our objections to this extremely irregular, unfair and unprecedented course of and appealed to the committee to instantly evaluate their resolution on the premise of equity and transparency.
“We have now additionally appealed to the chosen candidate to face with us asking for solidarity in our request for a reconsideration and to additionally demand the vote proceed on Monday the twenty ninth as deliberate.
“Our requests have been met with silence from all involved. Because of this with the tight deadline for motion expiring right this moment, there can now be no change in occasions.
“We wish to take this chance to thanks for any engagement and assist you will have given us, not solely throughout our mandate however particularly throughout this extremely flawed course of.
“We’re sorry for any disappointment you could really feel. We really feel it acutely ourselves. Please be assured that this isn’t a case of ‘bitter grapes’ however a real concern in regards to the lack of democracy within the course of.
“To be clear no blame might be assigned to our pals on the council group and native elected reps who’ve been equally dismayed and dissatisfied. Wishing the most effective of luck to the long run Mayor for the 12 months forward.”
A spokesperson for the SDLP stated: the get together doesn’t touch upon inner choice processes.
They added: “We’re at the moment engaged in a course of to nominate a brand new Mayor of Derry Metropolis and Strabane District Council and can make a proper announcement when that course of is full.”
Ms Cllr Seenoi-Barr joined the SDLP group on Derry and Strabane District Council in June 2021.
She is the Director of Programmes on the North-West Migrants Discussion board.