DUP Councillor Tracy Kelly has officially been installed as Lord Mayor of Belfast, taking over from Alliance’s Micky Murray.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting at Belfast City Hall where she was presented with the mayoral chain, Ms Kelly pledged to “ensure no-one is left behind” as she began her year in office.
“My priority as Lord Mayor is to make sure that everyone in Belfast feels part of the changes that are happening in our city and can find a place for themselves within them – that no-one is left behind,” she said.
“Our city has come a long way in a short period of time, but it’s important that everyone in Belfast feels part of that journey and has a chance to fulfil their potential.
“I want to celebrate the projects and people working to build a place that is safe, fair, welcoming and inclusive for everyone and to reconnect our communities back to the city core, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of a vibrant, shared and well-connected city.”
The 47 year old DUP councillor represents the Botanic area in the south of the city and has served in City Hall since May 2019.
Ms Kelly has a background in community development and said supporting young people who are not in employment, education or training will also be a key goal during her term.
She is currently office manager at the DUP constituency office of MLA and Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots.
She also previously worked for MLA Christopher Stalford who died suddenly in 2022.
“He asked me to run in that election,” she recalled in an interview with BBC Northern Ireland.
“Him and constituents pressurised me into running in the 2019 election. I never thought I would ever sit in city council – never mind be Lord Mayor.”
She said she wants to ensure young people can connect to jobs in the city in emerging areas and wants to “break down barriers” in education.
“Belfast is already leading the way when it comes to innovation and tech, but it’s vital that we create and develop a pipeline to connect more of our young people to the jobs that exist in these, and other, emerging areas, both now and in the future,” she said.
“These opportunities should be open to everyone, so I want to do what I can to break down barriers to accessing education and training and encourage every young person to be the best they can be.
“I will be a Lord Mayor who listens to all those in the community, and I’m looking forward to representing those voices during my year in office.”
Councillor Tracy Kelly is the new Lord Mayor of Belfast
News Catch Up – Monday 2nd June
During the meeting, SDLP Councillor Paul Doherty was installed as the new Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.
He represents the Black Mountain electoral area, and takes over from the DUP’s Andrew McCormick.
Monday’s council meeting also saw the appointment of new committee chairs, with the meeting streamed live via the council’s website.
The DUP last held the role of First Citizen of Belfast in 2020, with Frank McCoubrey.
The last previous female unionist mayor was Councillor Grace Bannister (UUP) who held the civic title in 1981.