Wilson welcomes publication of local government boundaries commissioner's final report

Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, today welcomed the publication of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner’s Final Recommendations Report.

The Final Report includes recommendations on the number, boundaries and names of the local government districts and wards.

Commenting on the report’s publication, the Minister said; “Publication of this report marks an important step forward in the process of creating strong, effective local government - a process that I and my colleagues in the Executive are absolutely committed to.

“I will now move quickly to consider carefully the recommendations in this report and to bring it before my colleagues in the Executive and the Assembly as early as possible in the Autumn. Subject to the Executive’s agreement, I will lay the report before the Assembly along with a draft Order giving effect to the Commissioner’s recommendations, with or without modifications.

“I want to reaffirm my commitment to creating 11 strong and effective new councils in May 2011. Publication of this report means that we remain on target to do so. I want to thank the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner, Richard H Mackenzie, CB and his 11 Assistant Commissioners and their staff for their work over the past year to produce this report.”

Copies of the report, together with maps, are available for inspection at all district council headquarters, public libraries, Area Electoral Offices and the Offices of the Electoral Commissioner.

The times for visiting the display venues should be confirmed with the relevant office. The Final Recommendations can also be viewed on the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner’s website

Notes to Editors:

1. The presentation of the Final Recommendations on the Review of Northern Ireland Local Government Boundaries to the DOE concludes the duties of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner and his office closes on 30 June 2009.
2. Queries after 30 June should be addressed to DOE, Local Government Policy Division, Goodwood House, 44-58 May Street, Belfast, BT1 4NN.
3. If any modifications are made to the recommendations, a written statement outlining the reasons will be provided when the Report and Order are laid before the Assembly.
4. Whilst the Commissioner has recommended names for the new local government districts, the new councils can apply under section 51 of the Local Government Act 1972 for their names to be changed by order.
5. The Local Government Boundaries Commissioner was appointed on 1 July 2008. His role was to make recommendations to the DOE regarding the boundaries and names of the 11 new districts, and the number, boundaries and names of the wards into which each district is to be divided.
6. For media enquiries please contact the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 0769971 5440 and your call will be returned.