Transferring powers to local councils now agreed - Attwood

The package, which will also give the new councils more wide ranging powers and responsibilities, has now been agreed by the Executive.

Powers will transfer in planning, roads, urban regeneration, community development, housing, local economic development and local tourism. The transfer will also include the delivery of the EU Rural Development Programme, spot listing of buildings and greater involvement of local government in local sports decisions.

Alex Attwood, who announced the changes in an oral statement to the Assembly on 22 April said: “This is all about bringing power closer to citizens. I welcome Executive colleagues’ endorsement of proposals to transfer powers to Local Councils and this will become reality in April 2015. The more power in local hands, the more democratic our society and the more likely that local people will get the local services they need.

“This decision moves reform up another gear. The Executive funding package, the ongoing consultation on councillor severance, the functions agreement, the Reorganisation Bill in circulation around Executive colleagues and I hope at committee stage before summer recess, all demonstrate how reform is gathering pace. The local councils must do likewise, to help get reform right for our citizens and ratepayers.

“With planning and development plans transferred, Councils will have the opportunity to shape the life of the Council area so that it is better planned and offers better job potential. They will have economic powers strengthened, especially for young people and women. Councils will have opportunity to boost local tourism in their areas.

“Getting all of this right will help transform the way we plan and sustain our cities, towns and rural areas while boosting our economy and protecting our environment."

The Minister concluded by highlighting steps already taken towards local government reform. He said: “I have continued to push hard on local government reform and the programme is progressing steadily. Securing a funding package from central government, consulting on and drafting a Local Government Bill, and Regulations to put Statutory Transition Committees in place are all moving momentum forward.”

Powers that have now been agreed by the Executive to transfer to local councils can be summarised as follows:
Planning
· Local development plan functions
· Development control and enforcement.

Roads
· Off street parking (except Park and Ride)

Urban regeneration and community development:
· Functions associated with physical development (e.g. environmental improvement schemes)
· Area based regeneration (such as Neighbourhood Renewal)
· Some community development programmes for the voluntary and community sectors.

Housing:
· Registration of houses in multiple occupation
· Housing unfitness responsibilities, including repair and demolition notices

Local Economic Development (transfer from Invest NI):
· Start a Business Programme and Enterprise Shows
· Youth Entrepreneurship (such as Prince’s Trust and Shell Livewire)
· Social Entrepreneurship
· Investing for Women
· Neighbourhood Renewal funding relating to enterprises initiatives.

Local Tourism:
· Small scale tourism accommodation development
· Providing business support including business start up advice along with training and delivery of customer care schemes
· Providing advice to developers on tourism policies and related issues.

Other
· Some elements of the delivery of the EU Rural Development Programme;
· Authority to Spot List to enable Councils to add a building to the statutory list on a temporary basis, subject to ratification by the DOE;
· Authority to draw up local lists of buildings that are of architectural and/or historic interest;
· Armagh County Museum;
· local water recreational facilities;
· local sports (greater involvement of local government in local sports decisions);
· Donaghadee Harbour