Cookstown District Council facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cookstown District |
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| Area | 622 km2 (240 sq mi) Ranked 9th of 26 |
| District HQ | Cookstown |
| Catholic | 59.3% |
| Protestant | 37.8% |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| Councillors | |
The Cookstown District Council was a local government body in Northern Ireland. It helped manage an area mostly in County Tyrone and partly in County Londonderry. This council served its community until May 2015.
In 2015, the Cookstown District Council joined with two other councils. These were the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and the Magherafelt District Council. Together, they formed a new, larger council called the Mid-Ulster District Council. This change was part of a big plan to update local government in Northern Ireland.
About Cookstown District
The main office for the Cookstown District Council was in Cookstown. The area included several smaller towns. These towns were Pomeroy, Moneymore, Coagh, and Stewartstown. To the east, the district was bordered by Lough Neagh, a large lake.
The district covered about 609 square kilometers (235 square miles). Over 37,000 people lived in this area.
How the Council Worked
The Cookstown District Council had 16 elected representatives. These people were chosen by local voters. Elections were held every four years. People voted using a system called single transferable vote. This system helps make sure different groups are fairly represented.
Each June, the council members would choose a chairman and a vice-chairman. These leaders helped guide the council's work for the year. The last election for this council was in 2011.
Electoral Areas
The Cookstown District Council area was divided into three parts for elections. These parts were called Drum Manor, Ballinderry, and Cookstown Central.
In the 2011 elections, members from different political parties were chosen. Six members were from Sinn Féin. Four members were from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). Three members were from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). Finally, three members were from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
In 2013 and 2014, Councillor Pearse McAleer from Sinn Féin was the council chairman. Councillor Robert Kelly of the UUP was the vice-chairman. Both of these councillors represented the Ballinderry area. In 2014 and 2015, Councillor Wilbert Buchanan from the Democratic Unionist Party served as chairman.
For elections to the UK Parliament in Westminster, the Cookstown area was part of the Mid Ulster voting area.
Population Facts
The 2011 Northern Ireland census counted the number of people living in the Cookstown District Council area. It found that 37,013 residents lived there at that time.
