Kathryn Owen co-opted in Rowallane for DUP

Kathryn Owen co-opted in Rowallane for DUP

16 October 2019

THE DUP has co-opted a replacement for Rowallane councillor Harry Harvey who recently resigned from Newry, Mourne and Down Council to become a Strangford Assembly member.

Mrs Kathryn Owen — granddaughter of former Saintfield Ulster Unionist councillor Bill Biggerstaff – will replace Mr Harvey in the chamber. She will also take his place on the various council committees and bodies he was appointed to.

Mrs Owen’s appointment was confirmed this week, with her DUP colleagues Billy Walker and Glyn Hanna delighted that she is joining them.

The new councillor will take over the chairmanship of the council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee and is very much looking forward to representing the people of Rowallane.

She said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be co-opted onto to the council to represent an area she has lived in for over 30 years. She said her family has also been in Rowallane for seven decades.

“I will walking in the footsteps of my late grandfather William Biggerstaff who was a former Down Council chairman,” said Cllr Owen.

“My background has involved time spent in the Royal Air Force as a medic. More recently, I have been a mature student and completed a BSc at Queen’s University. I am now studying a part-time PhD in cardiovascular medicine in collaboration with Ulster University and Southern Health Trust.”

Cllr Owen said the role of an elected representative brings with it great responsibility and it is one that she will endeavour to fulfil. 

She added: “I plan to open two satellite surgeries in Saintfield and Crossgar and over the coming months look forward to getting out on the doorsteps and meeting residents. I will do all that I can to help.

“I have been warmly welcomed by Billy and Glyn and am looking forward to complementing the excellent work they already do. I believe that having a strong team produces exceptional results and I wish to be a strong voice for the people of Rowallane.”

Cllr Walker said both he and party colleague Glyn are delighted to have Kathryn join them in the council and has no doubt that she will hit the ground running.

“Kathryn is looking forward to the challenge of being a local councillor and has many skills and attributes that will enable her to succeed. She is very much a people person and will quickly strike up a rapport with residents across Rowallane,” he continued.

Cllr Walker said the new councillor will be a key member of the DUP’s council’s team and will quickly settle in to her new role.