Foster publishes emerging findings of review of local government

"The Executive has now considered emerging findings from the review of local government aspects of the RPA and I have written today to all the Members of the Assembly, the Environment Committee and a range of key stakeholders setting out these emerging findings."

"Based on experience elsewhere in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and beyond, the delivery of the vision for local government will not be achieved by a single set of reform proposals, no matter how well devised those proposals might be. Achieving strong, effective and efficient local government will be a long term process that will require sustained effort over a considerable number of years.

"The proposals contained in the paper that I have published today provide for the beginning of a considered, balanced and meaningful reform of the system of local government. Our vision is of a local government that will improve the quality of life for people and that will create communities that are sustainable, vibrant, healthy, prosperous, stable and people-centred. Discussions on the number of councils are continuing to consider which council configuration can best deliver our vision.

"Our proposals for an initial package of functions that should transfer to local government is presented for discussion. Careful consideration has been and continues to be given to these proposals, with a balance to be struck between the benefits of local service delivery and the cost implications and economies of scale of disaggregating services that are currently delivered regionally.

"When I launched the review on the future shape of local government in Northern Ireland on 6 July I committed to ensuring that there would be significant stakeholder engagement throughout the review, as we work together to achieve the strong, effective and efficient local government that we all want.

"I want to hear what stakeholders have to say as the thinking on the three strands of the review of the RPA decisions is drawn together and before final recommendations are made to the Executive.

"I hope that as many people and organisations as possible will take the opportunity to consider these emerging findings and provide views or comments on our initial proposals for the future shape of local government."