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New Chair and Deputy Chair named at Council AGM

Clogher Valley Councillor Frances Burton (DUP) has been named as the new Chair of Mid Ulster District Council at its AGM held today (Monday 2nd June). 

Moyola Councillor Denise Johnston (SDLP) was named as Deputy Chair. Both appointments are for one year. 


Cllr. Burton has served as a Councillor since 2005, formerly in the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and then Mid Ulster District Council since 2014 and has held the position of Deputy Chair of the Council twice in 2018/19 and 2022/23. 

She is a passionate advocate for rural and farming communities, in particular for the Clogher Valley, and sits on the boards of Agewell, CDM Community Transport and the Sliabh Beagh Partnership. 

Cllr. Burton also served as President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (the all-Council led representative body for Local Government in the region) in 2019/20. 

Cllr. Johnston was elected as a Mid Ulster Councillor in 2023, and is a long-standing campaigner, championing causes including the protection of Lough Neagh and the need for urgent action on road safety. She is a member of the Lough Neagh Partnership Board. 

Cllr. Johnston is Head of History and Politics at St. Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, where she has taught since 2001.