Poots paves the way for the reorganisation of local government

Local government reform reached a major milestone today when a key piece of legislation was passed by the Assembly.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will enable the Department of the Environment to make preliminary arrangements for the reorganisation of local government and pave the way for a smooth transition from 26 to 11 councils. These preliminary arrangements will allow statutory transition committees to be set up. These committees will be responsible for appointing senior officers to the new councils; striking a rate for the new council districts; and developing plans to converge the existing 26 councils to 11. The Bill also allows regulations to be made to provide a severance scheme for councillors who do not stand for election to the new councils.

Minister Poots said: “I welcome the fact this legislation has passed Final Stage in the Assembly. I would like to thank the Assembly Members and the Environment Committee for their constructive comments and additions which have crafted the finalised Bill.

“The Bill paves the way for councils to move forward towards reorganisation to 11 councils whilst maintaining service continuity. Once established, statutory transition committees will play a crucial role in preparing for council reorganisation.

“The Bill also clarifies powers of district councils and local government waste management groups to enter into long-term service contracts with the private sector.

“This is particularly important for waste management as there are European Commission (EC) waste targets that must be met to reduce the use of landfill, increase recycling and avoid costly fines. Significant new waste facilities need to be constructed in Northern Ireland so that these EC targets can be met. This Bill should give the private sector reassurance and confidence in entering in to these long-term service contracts with councils and their waste management groups.”

The Bill is expected to come into operation in March 2010 as the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010.

Notes to editors:

1. The EC Landfill Directive (1993/31/EC) aims to prevent or reduce, so far as possible, negative effects on the environment from the landfilling of waste. The Directive sets out waste targets for Member States to meet, requiring biodegradable waste being sent to landfill to be reduced from 2010 through to 2020. Failure to meet those targets runs the risk of possible infraction proceedings.
2. At present, existing councils have been formed as voluntary transition committees to prepare for the forthcoming reorganisation of local government. Those committees will be replaced by statutory transition committees which will be given statutory powers to carry out certain functions on behalf of the new councils in the run-up to reorganisation.
3. 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.