Cllr Val Smith has been elected Cathaoirleach of Balieborough-Cootehill Municipal District for the coming year.
Fine Gael's Val Smith was elected Cathaoirleach and Fianna Fail's Niall Smith as Leas-Cathaoirleach of the MD for the next 12 months.
Taking the chain of office for the local MD, Val Smith said during his time on the council over the past 21 years the members of Bailieborough-Cootehill have always worked well together and he wants that to continue.
Val Smith takes over from outgoing Cathaoirleach Stiofán Conaty (SF).
Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr Smith said it was an "honour" and privilege" to take up the role as Cathaoirleach.
He believes small rural areas are "missing out" on vital funding, which is something that he wants to change:
"I come from a rural area. We have no town in this area. I'm on the west of the MD as such, and I represent this area."
She added, "The rural area sector, where I come from, we don't qualify for the big stuff. So we have to try to get the small community grants, the car funding, the discretionary funding, and all that. So I'm here to help all the communities in the area."
