The Future Shape of Local Government

Environment Minister Arlene Foster has announced the key decisions on the
future shape of local government flowing from the review of the local
government aspects of the Review of Public Administration (RPA).

Speaking after an Executive meeting today, the Minister said: "Our vision
for local government is of a strong, dynamic local government creating
communities that are vibrant, healthy, prosperous, safe and sustainable and
have the needs of all citizens at their core. Critical to the delivery of
services that are linked with local peoples' needs and ambitions will be the
introduction of a statute-based council-led community planning process.

"The current 26 local government districts will be rationalised to create 11
new local government districts, using the model referred to as 11 b, which
was canvassed in the March 2005 RPA consultation document. This number will
allow new council areas to deliver important services to communities in an
efficient and effective manner.

"In order for local government to fulfil its role as leader and shaper of
communities, a range of functions will be transferred to the new local
councils. These include aspects of planning, as well as rural development,
the public realm aspects of local roads functions, urban regeneration and
community development, a range of housing related functions, and local
economic development and tourism.

"More detail on the range of functions that will transfer will be set out in
a statement that I will make to the Assembly on its return after Easter.

"The decisions we agreed at the Executive meeting this afternoon represent a
firm foundation for the development of stronger local government that will
deliver a broader range of services for all our citizens."