Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has achieved reaccreditation to the Councillor Development Charter Plus standard following a reassessment by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA).

The council first secured the Charter Plus accreditation in 2018. It now maintains the higher-level accreditation longer than any other council in Northern Ireland. This marks the council's second consecutive reaccreditation.

A reception took place at Craigavon Civic Centre. The reaccreditation certificate was presented by NILGA Chair of Elected Member Development Network Councillor Frances Burton and NILGA Regional Development Manager Fiona Douglas. Attendees included Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Jessica Johnson, Council Deputy Chief Executive Charlene Stoops, senior management, and members of the Elected Member Development Steering Committee.

Deputy Lord Mayor Johnson said the council is delighted to retain the reaccreditation for a further three years. She noted the council's focus on supporting councillors through learning opportunities and development programmes. She added that the assessment panel was impressed by the evidence portfolio, which demonstrated improved service delivery.

Fiona Douglas commended the council on the achievement. She stated that the assessment showed the Charter Plus framework drives cross-party collaboration with officers to set priorities and strategic direction.