Councillor Sharon McKillop - Causeway Constituency

09/09/2026

🌊 WE NEED TO ACT BEFORE THIS BECOMES AN EMERGENCY

I have raised serious concerns with Council about the worsening coastal erosion at Seaport Road and Seaport Avenue in Portballintrae.

Recent 3D imaging captured by Council drones shows the erosion continuing along this section of coastline.

This is about much more than the cliff itself.

It potentially threatens an important Right of Way, local road infrastructure and one of our borough’s most important tourism areas.

I have asked for two things.

🔹 Urgent repairs to the damaged sea defences before the winter storms arrive.

🔹 A proper long term stabilisation plan, including examination of land based engineering solutions and every available source of external infrastructure funding.

Council successfully fast tracked work on this shoreline before in 2021. I believe we should use that same approach again rather than waiting for the situation to deteriorate further.

Portballintrae supports residents, businesses, tourism and employment across the wider area, including neighbouring Bushmills.

It makes far more sense to invest in prevention now than pay for an infrastructure emergency later.

Council officers will now take forward the short term issue and bring a paper back looking at the longer term stabilisation of the area.

I will continue pressing to see this progressed as quickly as possible.

08/09/2026

06/09/2026

Enjoy this video of the Giants Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Band making their way through Bushmills.

Always great to hear the band playing through the village and see them out and about. 🎶👏🇬🇧

06/09/2026

🎺 Giants Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Band Annual Parade

A brilliant night was had by all at the Giants Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Band Annual Parade. 🎶

Great to see such strong support from local bands, as well as bands who travelled from further afield to take part.

It was also great to see my DUP colleague Alan Robinson MLA there and to catch up with so many familiar faces throughout the evening.

Well done to the Giants Causeway Protestant Boys for organising another fantastic parade. 👏🇬🇧🎺

05/09/2026

☕💜 Coffee Morning – Dementia Support in Your Area

Dementia Concern Causeway and Causeway GP Federation are hosting a Coffee Morning in Ballycastle, providing an opportunity to find out more about the dementia support and services available locally.

📅 Monday 14th September
⏰ 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Ramoan Parish Centre, Ballycastle

Come along for a cuppa and a chat, meet local services, ask questions and find out what support is available for you or a loved one.

Everyone is welcome. 💜☕

03/09/2026

Great to see Silver Plains Moyarget Flute Band in Larne on Saturday.

A fantastic band who always put on a great performance, and it was brilliant to see them taking part in the day’s celebrations. Great to catch up with familiar faces along the way too.

Well done to everyone involved in making it such a great day. 🇬🇧🎶

02/09/2026

DUNSEVERICK SCHOOL TRANSPORT DECISION MUST BE REVIEWED

Joint statement from Cllr Sharon McKillop and Cllr Darryl Wilson

We are seeking an urgent explanation from the Education Authority regarding the decision to withdraw the dedicated school bus serving Dunseverick Primary School.

Parents and the school have been given very little notice of this significant change, with the previous bus provision being replaced by an eight-seat taxi arrangement which raises obvious questions around capacity and whether the needs of all affected pupils have been properly considered.

This is particularly concerning in a rural area where dependable school transport is essential for many families.

We are therefore asking the Education Authority to set out clearly the rationale behind this decision, including how pupil numbers, concessionary places, new enrolments and the wider transport needs of the school were assessed.

Once that information is provided, we believe the decision should be looked at again in full consultation with Dunseverick Primary School and affected parents.

The priority must be ensuring that children can get to and from school safely and that rural families are not disadvantaged by changes to essential transport provision.

We will be pressing the Education Authority for answers, with a clear view to having this decision reconsidered.

Cllr Sharon McKillop
Cllr Darryl Wilson

02/09/2026

🎺 What a great day at Black Saturday in Larne last week!

Great to see such big numbers out and about, with so many fantastic bands making their way through the town. It was brilliant to catch up with familiar faces and enjoy the atmosphere.

A great day from start to finish. 🇬🇧