DOE - Local Government Reform

On 1 April 2015, the 11 new councils take over from the current 26. Below are some Q&As on local government reform.

On 1st April the current 26 local councils will be replaced by 11 new councils.

The Panel, comprising Executive Ministers, councillors from the 11 new councils and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association, has been established as part of the local government reform programme.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has commented on the delay of the transfer of urban regeneration and community development powers to local councils.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today announced that he will chair a new Partnership Panel with local government.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has launched a consultation to determine which organisations should be community planning statutory partners.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan is getting the word out about local government reform. Over the next two weeks, Department of the Environment leaflets will be dropping through the doors of all households with information about the new councils.

Councils to benefit from community planning contract

The Department of the Environment today published guidance on councils’ new duty of community planning.

Under local government reform, Councils will take forward community planning from April 2015.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan introduced the Local Government Bill into the Assembly on 23 September 2013. The Bill provides the legislative basis for the local government reform programme.