Local Government reform essential - Poots

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today reiterated his determination that reform is essential to delivering better performing, stronger and more efficient local government.

The Minister, speaking as he addressed the Transition Committee of Belfast City Council, paid tribute to their crucial preparatory work. This will enable the Committee to take key decisions once they become Statutory in early 2010 and ensure a smooth transition when the councils come into effect in May 2011.

Mr Poots said: "The Local Government Reform Programme is now moving into the critical implementation phase so I felt that it was important to personally meet each of the Transition Committees.

"Belfast is in a unique position as it is not merging with another council, but the level of change that the Committee must prepare for should not be underestimated.

“The council area will be larger with the addition of parts of the existing Castlereagh and Lisburn Councils. As with the other 10 council clusters, Belfast will also have to prepare for the enhanced powers and functions which will transfer from central government such as planning. The Committee will play a central part in preparing for these changes in May 2011.

"I am pleased from my visit today to see the progress already made by this Transition Committee in this ambitious programme and I encourage them to ensure that the momentum they have built up is maintained."

Cllr Tom Hartley, the Chair of the Transition Committee, welcomed the Minister and thanked him for taking time to visit their Committee.

Cllr Hartley said: "It is vital that clarity on the way forward for local government reform is given to our ratepayers, local government staff and others in the public service that will be affected as soon as possible.

"The implementation date of 2011 is fast approaching and there is an urgent need for decisions to be taken with regard to finalising boundaries and the responsibilities that will transfer to Belfast City Council.

"It is imperative that the new authorities are properly resourced and issues around assets and liabilities are clarified. Councils need to be in a position to provide the most effective and efficient public services possible, which is at the heart of local government reform.

"We welcome the Minister's visit to Belfast City Council today as there needs to be ongoing dialogue between us to address all these important issues relating to local government reform with a view to providing the public with the services they need and want."

The Minister completed his visit by stating that he remained committed to doing everything possible to deliver on the local government reform timetable.

He said: “I firmly believe that this offers us an opportunity to transform services so that we are more proactive, co-ordinated and responsive to the needs of our citizens. It is right to deliver improved public services as close to the people as possible, with councils fulfilling the leading role at the heart of the local community."

Notes to editors:

1. The Local Government Reform Programme will see the existing 26 councils reduced to 11 in May 2011. It will involve the transfer of a range of central government functions to local government including responsibility for planning, regeneration and certain road functions.
2. This is the fourth in a series of visits by the Minister to each of the Transition Committees throughout Northern Ireland.
3. Following guidance issued by the Department of the Environment, all 11 new council areas have now established Transition Committees.
4. Minister Poots made a statement to the Assembly on the way forward for local government reform on 20 October. He also published the economic appraisal of the programme and launched a 6-week period of stakeholder engagement. This appraisal outlines the available options and clearly demonstrates how reform can be achieved; the associated costs and the financial and non-financial benefits, including a projected saving of £438million over a 25 year period. Copies of the report and the Minister’s statement are available on the DOE website
5. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.