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Proposal for 11 new NI councils | Proposal for 11 new NI councils |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The NI Executive has agreed a plan to create 11 new councils. | |
The DUP and Sinn Fein said the compromise plan, passed by seven votes to two, would build a firm foundation for strong local government. | |
It creates four nationalist-dominated councils in the west and south, and six predominantly unionist councils in the north, east and centre. | |
The UUP opposed the plan, with MLA Fred Cobain saying he feared it would mean a mainly nationalist Belfast council. | |
It is a very good day, not just for local government, but for this executive as well Arlene FosterEnvironment minister The current 26 council system dates back to the 1970s but, after a review, former secretary of state Peter Hain opted to cut these to just seven. | |
Sinn Fein supported that plan but the other major parties said they would be too big to preserve local identity and backed a 15-council model. | Sinn Fein supported that plan but the other major parties said they would be too big to preserve local identity and backed a 15-council model. |
A Sinn Fein/DUP compromise of 11 new councils has been agreed. | A Sinn Fein/DUP compromise of 11 new councils has been agreed. |
It is understood the SDLP minister Margaret Ritchie, who is in the US, had written to Mrs Foster indicating she was happy with the plan. | |
Since the restoration of devolution, the shake-up in local government has been the responsibility of Environment Minister Arlene Foster. | Since the restoration of devolution, the shake-up in local government has been the responsibility of Environment Minister Arlene Foster. |
Mrs Foster said: "It is a very good day, not just for local government, but for this executive as well." | Mrs Foster said: "It is a very good day, not just for local government, but for this executive as well." |
She added: "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." |