Councils plan ahead by sharing knowledge on shaping the future

The Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council visited Lagan Valley Island recently to further develop his town's relationship with Lisburn and Castlereagh.
The Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council, Professor Steven Broomhead with Mayor Brian Bloomfield MBE, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councils Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson, elected members, council directors and Mr Tom McKenna from Crewe United FC.The Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council, Professor Steven Broomhead with Mayor Brian Bloomfield MBE, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councils Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson, elected members, council directors and Mr Tom McKenna from Crewe United FC.
The Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council, Professor Steven Broomhead with Mayor Brian Bloomfield MBE, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Councils Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson, elected members, council directors and Mr Tom McKenna from Crewe United FC.

Professor Steven Broomhead met with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Chief Executive Dr Theresa Donaldson, Mayor Brian Bloomfield MBE and a delegation of elected members. He also enjoyed a tour of Lisburn city centre to see first-hand the result of regeneration work and the opportunities that still exist to further enhance the council area.

Speaking at the event, the Mayor said: “The council is delighted to host a visit from Professor Broomhead. We have built up a strong relationship with Warrington for 23 years, coming together for civic and sporting functions. It is very fitting that we work with Warrington Borough Council so that we can share information and learn from each other. It is also a great opportunity for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to showcase the projects and schemes that we are carrying out to enhance our area.”

Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee, Councillor Tim Morrow, said: “It is a great pleasure to have Mr Tom McKenna from Crewe United join us today. The football team, along with the council, has worked on many joint sporting initiatives with Warrington, including the annual ‘Challenge Peace Cup’. Crewe United were the first group to visit Warrington following the tragic explosion in 1993 to pay respects to those who were killed and injured. The council will continue to work with Warrington in sporting aspects and wider issues regarding the development of the council and the local economy.”

Alderman Paul Porter has had a long history with Warrington Football Club and Crewe United and was in Warrington earlier this year at the Challenge Peace Cup.

“The relationship between Warrington and Lisburn & Castlereagh is very special and it has been an honour for me to have been involved in its progression. Our sporting links have furthered the relationship and I conveyed this during my last visit to Warrington to its Mayor, Councillor Faisal Rashid,” he said.

Dr Donaldson added: “I would like to thank Professor Broomhead for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the council. Warrington Borough Council is also working on their local plan aiming to provide the housing, business, jobs and infrastructure that the borough needs over the next two decades, so this visit represents a great opportunity for both councils to share their knowledge on shaping the future of their areas.

“The development of our community plan and local area plan will deliver sustainable economic growth and guide future development across the council area up to 2030. It is advantageous for us to look at how other councils are progressing through this process.”