Infrastructure Minister, has appointed Callum Bowsie,
Philip Campbell, Michael Goodman, Keith Kerrigan, and to serve as Non-Executive
Councillor Members on the Drainage Council.
The appointments took effect from 1 May 2025 and will be for a
maximum of four years.
Minister Kimmins said: “I am pleased to announce the
appointments of the Councillors to these roles. The
Drainage Council performs the hugely important scrutiny function
of our drainage and flood defences across the North and I am
confident that these appointments will maintain the high standard
of work set by previous Members.”
The Drainage Council is a non-Departmental Public Body
established under the Drainage (NI) Order 1973. It performs
a general scrutiny role in relation to the Department's drainage
functions and has a statutory duty to ensure uniformity of
treatment on drainage issues throughout the North. This includes
overseeing the impartial and consistent application of drainage
and flood defence works, and, designating watercourses and sea
defences for maintenance at public expense.
Notes to editors:
1. The power to appoint members to the Drainage Council
lies solely with the Minister for Infrastructure as stipulated
under schedule 1 to the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973
rather than the Department.
2. The Department's responsibilities include the
management of flood risk. This involves undertaking watercourse
and coastal flood management in a sustainable manner. The
Drainage Council exists to perform a general scrutiny role in
relation to the Department's drainage functions and has a
statutory duty to ensure uniformity of treatment on drainage
issues throughout Northern Ireland. The Council's membership is
set out in legislation (Schedule 1 of the Drainage (Northern
Ireland) Order 1973.
3. The Drainage Council Northern Ireland consists of
10 representatives from local Councils, two ex-officio members
who are officials within the Department and one ‘specialist'
representative for each of the following: drainage; agriculture;
fisheries; industry; conservation; and tourism.
4. The appointments are non-remunerated.
5. The Commissioner for Public Appointments for
Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to
be published. Callum Bowsie, and Keith Kerrigan have
declared that they have undertaken political activity on behalf
of the Democratic Unionist Party. Philip Campbell and Michael
Goodman have declared that they have undertaken political
activity on behalf of Sinn Fein. All appointments are made
on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection
process.
6. The appointment has been made in accordance with
the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland
Code of Practice.
7. Biographies
Callum Bowsie
Callum Bowsie has been a councillor for Rowallane DEA in Newry,
Mourne and Down District Council since 2022. He currently sits on
its Strategic, Policy and Resources Committee, and its Audit
Committee. As President of Crossgar Historical Society, Callum
has a keen interest in local heritage and
environmental issues affecting old settlements and the
countryside. He holds no other public appointments.
Philip Campbell
Philip Campbell has been a Councillor for Downpatrick DEA on
Newry Mourne and Down Council since 2023. He is currently a
member of the Planning Committee and the Active Healthy
Communities Committee. He is a nominated member of the
South Eastern Health Trust's Area Integrated Partnership Board,
and is also a Trustee of the River Quoile Trust. He holds no
other public appointments.
Michael Goodman
Michael has been a councillor for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough
Council representing the Glengormley Urban DEA since 2014. He has
been a member of the Economic Development Committee since 2016
and is currently the Deputy Chair. He has also been a member of
the Audit and Risk Committee since 2019.
Michael is also currently chair of arc21 and a member of the
Joint Committee. He has also previous sat on Community
Planning, Operations and Policy and Governance Committees. He
holds no other public appointments.
Keith Kerrigan
Keith Kerrigan has been a Councillor for the Derg DEA on Derry
City & Strabane District Council since 2019. He
currently Chairs the Environment & Regeneration Committee and
also sits on the Planning and Audit Committees, as well as the
local PCSP. He has a background in Accounting and
Agriculture and is actively Involved in a number of local
community groups and organisations. Keith has been a Board member
of the NIHE since 1st March 2024, for which he receives the sum
of £6,890 per annum. He holds no other public appointments.
Mervyn was elected to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in
2023, representing the Ballymoney Ward, having previously been a
member of the NI Assembly from 2001- 2022. As of the 1
January 2025, he is Chair of the Education Authority
(remuneration £52,550 per annum), and from 1 April 2024, also
Chair of the NIPF (renumeration £6,000 per annum). He holds no
other public appointments.
