The Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area has been named top in research carried out on the new 11 council areas.

A report by The Detail, examined areas including quality of life, industry trends and social issues.

Mayor, Councillor Thomas Beckett said: “Having been a resident in the area for many years, I am delighted to see the council area, of which I am proud to be Mayor, take the top spot in all that the area has to offer. This is a very popular place to live in and work, with and the Council is working to continually improve the area.

“We struck the lowest council rates of all of the newly formed 11 councils and our objective is to deliver the highest quality services possible and provide these in the most economical way to our expanded ratepayer base. Coupled with community planning, listening to and consulting with our residents and preparing an Area Development Plan, we will continue to position our boundary area to the best advantage.

“The Council will also work to influence education areas, health provision and infrastructure for our citizens,” he said.

Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, welcomed The Detail’s findings. “The local economy and our businesses and industry success, inward investment opportunities, exporting potentials and ongoing development support in the economy, is very much the business of the Council.

“Of course quality of life also includes things like great parks, good playgrounds, great events for families and sporting enthusiasts, retail choice, tourism and the popularity of the history and heritage of the area. We will continue to position the area as the best it can be. This Council area offers city living with suburban, towns, village and countryside choice. There are great schools and a fantastic variety of leisure amenities and I am gratified, that the area has been recognised as owning first place in this survey,” he concluded.

Chair of Development, Alderman Allan Ewart, Chief Executive, Dr Theresa Donaldson and The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas celebrate the area’s Number 1 achievement.