Belfast City Council

Belfast City Council

Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste
Bilfawst Citie Cooncil
Council logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Structure
Seats60
Political groups
  Sinn Féin (22)
  DUP (14)
  Alliance (11)
  SDLP (5)
  Green (NI) (3)
  UUP (2)
  PBP (1)
  TUV (1)
  Independent (1)
Elections
Last election
18 May 2023
Next election
2027
Meeting place
Belfast City Hall
Website
www.belfastcity.gov.uk

Belfast City Council (Irish: Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste) is the local authority with responsibility for part of Belfast, the largest city of Northern Ireland. The council serves an estimated population of 348,005 (2022), the largest of any district council in Northern Ireland, while being the smallest by area. Belfast City Council is the primary council of the Belfast Metropolitan Area, a grouping of six former district councils with commuter towns and overspill from Belfast, containing a total population of 579,276.

The council is made up of 60 councillors, elected from ten district electoral areas. It holds its meetings in the historic Belfast City Hall. The current Lord Mayor is Tracy Kelly as of 2 June 2025.

As part of the 2014/2015 reform of local government in Northern Ireland the city council area expanded, and now covers an area that includes 53,000 additional residents in 21,000 households. The number of councillors increased from 51 to 60. The first elections to the expanded city council took place on 22 May 2014.