Foster seeks consensus on shape of future local government

Environment Minister Arlene Foster MLA told members of the National Association of Councillors (NAC) she is committed to win consensus on the shape of future local government here.

Speaking at their annual conference in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, the Minister commended the members of NAC for their work in local government and said she was looking forward to developing a good relationship between local and central government sectors and in particular with her Department.

The Minister said: ‘‘You will all be familiar with what has been happening on local government modernisation and reform and the increasingly positive partnership that has been developed between local government as a sector and my Department over the past year.

“The Local Government Taskforce has produced some very good work, particularly in relation to the modernisation of local government. But 4 of the 5 political parties represented on the Taskforce participated on the basis that they remained fundamentally opposed to the seven council model which had been agreed by the previous administration, and made it clear to the previous administration that their participation was without prejudice to that firmly held position.’’

The Minister said it would be preferable if the parties reached consensus on whatever number of councils was needed to achieve strong, effective and efficient local government and that she would be working with the Executive to consider how to proceed in relation to the decisions of the previous administration.

She concluded: “ I want to affirm my commitment today to work in partnership with the sector in preparing for and delivering change. I will work closely with colleagues on the Executive Committee as local government matters cut right across government and it is important that they are considered collectively.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. NAC is a UK body with representation of all parties in the 26 district councils of Northern Ireland and is open to all serving local councillors. It provides a forum for elected members to meet and discuss issues such as local government management and finance, personal allowances, support services.
2. The theme of the Conference was ‘Local Government – Preparing for 2009’.
3. The conference was attended by over 80 people, 40 of whom are NAC members and a number from the Northern Ireland Local Government Association members.
4. For media enquiries contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003.