Poots invites views on finance arrangements for District Councils

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today encouraged the public to comment on the draft Local Government Finance Bill as he launched a 14-week consultation.

The Bill includes proposals for a more modern legislative framework for the finances of district councils.

The Minister said: “District councils play a vital role in the lives of people across Northern Ireland and I would encourage people to take part in this consultation.

“This Bill will enable district councils to have greater control of the management of their finances, which I view as a vital step towards local government reform in May 2011.

“During this harsh economic climate, it is even more appropriate that we introduce best practice in local government finance.” The draft Bill proposes the introduction of a prudential regime for capital finance to ensure that finances are managed as carefully as possible; giving councils more responsibility for the management of their own financial affairs through the removal of the need to obtain the prior approval of the Department of the Environment (DOE) in most instances; and the introduction of certain new powers, including the power to invest.

The Bill also includes proposals to update the legislation on councillors’ remuneration. This includes making provision to enable an independent remuneration panel to be established to consider and make recommendations to the DOE on allowances for councillors.

Notes to Editors:

1.Environment Minister Edwin Poots published the consultation document Draft Local Government (Finance Bill) on 24 July 2009. The consultation closes on 31 October 2009. The consultation period has been extended beyond the usual 12 weeks to take account of the holiday period.

2.The consultation document is available to view at: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/local_government/local_government_consultations.htm.

3.Hard copies and copies of the document in alternative formats are available by request from Local Government Policy Division Tel: 028 9025 6091, Text Phone: 028 9054 0642, Fax: 028 92025 6080, Email: Julie.Broadway@doeni.gov.uk or in writing to Dickson Holliday, Local Government Policy Division, Department of Environment, Goodwood House, 44-58 May Street, Belfast BT1 4NN.

3.For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.