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In Northern Ireland, local government reform
reached a major milestone last week 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.
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin 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.
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