The new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane has said the council must do all it can to "support workers and families" through the cost-of-living crisis.
Sinn Fein's longest serving councillor, Patricia Logue, was officially made Mayor on Monday night at the council's annual meeting in the Guildhall.
SDLP councillor Jason Barr takes up the position of Deputy Mayor.
Read more: Sinn Fein's Patricia Logue to become Mayor of Derry and Strabane
Outgoing Mayor councillor Sandra Duffy reflected on her busy year and extended her sincere thanks to the people of Derry and Strabane for their friendship and hospitality over the past year.
She extended her best wishes and support to the new incoming Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Newly elected Mayor Logue said she was deeply honoured at being chosen as Mayor and promised to engage with all the people of the Council area to send out a clear message that she will be a "Mayor for all.”
She said: “I believe that every citizen of this region has a right to have their voice heard and their aspirations respected. That is the approach which Sandra took and I fully intend to follow her example. Of course, I also know the coming year will be an intense and demanding one. Workers and families continue to face many challenges and there is big work ahead of us in continuing the transformation of this city for the better."
She continued: "We must do everything possible, within our power as a local authority, to continue to support workers and families and public services through the rising cost-of-living and deliver first-class council services.”
Councillor Logue said she was committed to working to attract jobs, investment and opportunities to the city and district. She said: “This is an incredible place. It is full of incredible people and I know we can build an incredible future. “
Extending a special thanks to family for all their help and support, Mayor Logue said she looked forward to representing the people of the Derry and Strabane district in the coming year. She added that a special focus will be placed on raising awareness and funds for her chosen Mayoral charities – the Ryan McBride Foundation and the Foyle Hospice.
Strabane based Cllr Jason Barr accepting his role as Deputy Mayor said it was a great honour and promised to provide a strong voice for the local community and to do all he can to highlight issues impacting local people but also to celebrate the many achievements and showcase everything this area has to offer.
Cllr Barr also pledged to work hard to make sure that people in areas such as Strabane feel supported and connected to the work of Council, in particular Strabane and the Sperrin DEA.
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