Minutes:
The Lord Mayor congratulated Mr. Noel Liggett, District Master of Ballynafeigh LOL No 10, who had been awarded as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) as part of the New Year Honors list for his services to the community in South Belfast.
The Lord Mayor also congratulated Council employee, Ms. Vivienne Fullerton, Lead Registrar, who had been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) as part of the New Year Honors list for her services to Local Government.
The Lord Mayor advised the Council that Ms. Eimear Henry, Creative and Strategic Lead for Belfast Stories, would soon be leaving the Council and thanked Ms. Henry for her service and dedication to the role.
The Deputy Lord Mayor thanked the Council team, and its partners, for their efforts and work in helping the city secure the title of a European City of Sport for 2026. The Deputy Lord Mayor highlighted the importance of sport across the city from grassroots participation to elite performance.
Councillors Long and R. Brooks paid tribute to Councillor McAteer for all her work throughout 2025 in her role as High Sheriff, and wished the incoming High Sheriff, Alderman McCoubrey, well in the role for the year ahead. Councillor McAteer thanked the Members for their kind words and wished Alderman McCoubrey well in the role.
Alderman Lawlor acknowledged a recent tribute by the Hanwood Trust to its late former Chair, Mr. Brian Rea CBE JP, who had named a room within the Hanwood Community Resource Centre in his honour.
Alderman Lawlor extended his congratulations to former Deputy Lord Mayor and High Sheriff, Mr. Tom Haire, who had been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) as part of the New Year Honors list for his services to Local Government and to the community in Belfast. At the request of Alderman Lawlor, the Lord Mayor agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Mr. Haire on his award.
Alderman Lawlor acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the Kingsmills massacre on 5th January and commended the courage of survivor Mr. Alan Black and the victims’ families in their campaign for justice.
Councillor Smyth extended his condolences to the families and friends of the two people who lost their lives in the city centre before Christmas. He also highlighted the issue of homelessness within the city centre and the need for a collective approach from the voluntary and statutory sectors to help address this issue.
Councillor de Faoite congratulated Lisnasharragh constituent Mr. Sean McFarlane, founder of local biotech company Biomarx, on the news that Biomarx had raised £700,000 in pre-seed funding to progress the development of a diagnostics platform focused on lung cancer. At the request of Councillor de Faoite, the Lord Mayor agreed to write to Mr. McFarlane to congratulate Biomarx on the funding raised.
Councillor de Faoite also extended his condolences to his party colleague, and former Councillor, Ms. Mary Muldoon on the recent passing of her sister. At the request of Councillor de Faoite, the Lord Mayor agreed to send a letter of condolence to Ms. Muldoon on behalf of the Council.
Councillor Collins extended his condolences to the family and friends of local boxer Mr. Paul McCullagh Jr., who had recently passed away. At the request of Councillor Collins, the Lord Mayor agreed to send a letter of condolence to the family of Mr. McCullagh Jr. on behalf of the Council.