Councillors from Ards and Wexford recently attended the council meetings in both constituency as the CEC Councillor Exchange Programme got underway.

The pilot exchange in recent weeks has seen councillors and officials of Ards Borough Council and Wexford County Council travel to each other's full council meeting and begin to develop a relationship through this unique programme.

Three councillors from Ards - Alderman Tom Hamilton (UUP), Cllr Robin Drysdale (DUP) and Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Alliance) - as well as council official Jim Gray attended the council meeting at Wexford County Hall on Monday 13th September. Following an opening address from the Chairman, Senator Walsh, the Partnership Manager delivered a five-minute powerpoint on the background, structures and activities of the Confederation. Jim Gray delivered a presentation on Ards Borough Council, before the three visiting councillors each spoke for a few minutes, and were welcomed by a number of councillors from Wexford - namely Cllrs McPartlin, Codd, Reck, Curtis and Dwyer. The Mayor, Cllr O'Brien welcomed the delegation and Mr Gray made a presentation on behalf of Ards BC.

The return visit on the exchange took place on Wednesday, 29th September. Following dinner at the Strangford Arms Hotel, Cllrs Declan McPartlin, and Dennis Kennedy, and Mr Ger Griffin attended the monthly council meeting in Newtownards. Again, the Chairman addressed the meeting and the PM delivered a presentation. Mr Griffin delivered a presentation on Co Wexford, and was followed by the two visiting councillors. Cllrs Magill, Ellis and D. McCarthy, and Aldermen Shannon, Smith and McCarthy spoke from the floor.

Mr Griffin made a presentation of Wexford CC ties while Cllr Kennedy presented Waterford Crystal to the Mayor.

Senator Walsh, Cllr Kennedy and Mr Griffin were afforded a tour of Parliament Buildings the following day.

During the exchange, councillors suggested that agendas and minutes of meetings could be exchanged, and that invitations to events in one council would be forwarded to the other. Invitations to the Wexford Opera Festival were suggested by visiting councillors in Ards.

Further exchange programmes are being planned, including Lonford CC - Magherafelt DC and Newry and Mourne DC - South Dublin CC.