Appointment Of Local Government Boundaries Commissioner

1 June 2006
APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES COMMISSIONER

Environment Minister, David Cairns, has announced the appointment of Dick Mackenzie CB as Local Government Boundaries Commissioner.
David Cairns said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dick Mackenzie. Mr Mackenzie has had a distinguished career in public service and will bring many qualities and skills to the post of Local Government Boundaries Commissioner."
Mr Mackenzie, who lives in Belfast, will receive a salary of Ł84,150. He is a former Deputy Secretary with the Department of the Environment, and, more recently, was employed by the Department for Social Development as an adviser, carrying out a review of the North Belfast Community Action Group.
A selection panel, which included an independent assessor, as required under the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice, considered the suitability of all candidates and the appointment was made on merit. The final decision on the appointment rested with the Environment Minister.
Mr Mackenzie is a member of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland and receives remuneration of Ł436 per day. He is a trustee, in a voluntary capacity, of the Grand Opera House Trust.
Mr Mackenzie has not carried out any political activity in the last ten years.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The appointment was made following an open competition in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland's Code of Practice. It will be for twelve months from I June.
The Commissioner's role is to make recommendations to the Department regarding the boundaries and names of the seven new districts, and the number, boundaries and names of the wards into which each district is to be divided. The boundaries of the districts should be based on the amalgamation of existing councils, with the exception of Belfast, for which the development of a more natural boundary for the population living within the city area should be defined (reference Better Government for Northern Ireland, Final Decisions of the Review of Public Administration, Annex B).
For media enquiries regarding the appointment process, contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003.
For media enquiries directed to Dick Mackenzie, contact Mandy Morrison, Secretary to the Boundaries Commissioner, 07748 677362.

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