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13/11/2009
Council Reshuffle Plans Wavering
A plan to create 11 new Northern Ireland 'super councils' has been cast into doubt, after the minister in charge of the amalgamation warned time was running out to secure full consensus.
Plans to downscale the number of local authorities was approved by the Assembly last year.
It was proposed the current 26 councils would merge to form 11 more powerful local governments.
Agreement on the major upheaval was seen as a milestone in Stormont politics.
So far over £5.5m has been spent on the plans, which have the potential to save Northern Ireland £400m over the next 25 years.
However, the BBC has reported the process is on the verge of collapse.
It has obtained documents detailing Environment Minister Edwin Poots's concerns over the available timescale to secure Executive backing.
According to the BBC, Mr Poots (pictured) has warned officials the necessary legislation may not get passed by the end of this year, as bickering over council boundaries continues.
The Minister said he had a "strong sense" Northern Ireland Office colleagues would schedule an election in 2010 if definite assurances over the new boundaries were not provided to the Secretary of State by the end of December.
Mr Poots said current wrangling was a waste of money, and had the potential to cause "considerable damage" to the reputation of the Executive.
Environment Committee Chair Dolores Kelly said the issue was descending into chaos.
The SDLP MLA claimed local council officers have no idea where their futures lie.
"We certainly know that November was the deadline for the minister in trying to ensure that this legislation would be in place for the elections to be held in 2011 for the new councils."
She added: "Nobody knows what is going on now."
Department of Environment officials have so far refused to comment on the BBC's report.
(PR/BMcC)
Plans to downscale the number of local authorities was approved by the Assembly last year.
It was proposed the current 26 councils would merge to form 11 more powerful local governments.
Agreement on the major upheaval was seen as a milestone in Stormont politics.
So far over £5.5m has been spent on the plans, which have the potential to save Northern Ireland £400m over the next 25 years.
However, the BBC has reported the process is on the verge of collapse.
It has obtained documents detailing Environment Minister Edwin Poots's concerns over the available timescale to secure Executive backing.
According to the BBC, Mr Poots (pictured) has warned officials the necessary legislation may not get passed by the end of this year, as bickering over council boundaries continues.
The Minister said he had a "strong sense" Northern Ireland Office colleagues would schedule an election in 2010 if definite assurances over the new boundaries were not provided to the Secretary of State by the end of December.
Mr Poots said current wrangling was a waste of money, and had the potential to cause "considerable damage" to the reputation of the Executive.
Environment Committee Chair Dolores Kelly said the issue was descending into chaos.
The SDLP MLA claimed local council officers have no idea where their futures lie.
"We certainly know that November was the deadline for the minister in trying to ensure that this legislation would be in place for the elections to be held in 2011 for the new councils."
She added: "Nobody knows what is going on now."
Department of Environment officials have so far refused to comment on the BBC's report.
(PR/BMcC)
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DUP and SF repeat Westminster election success
As counting in Northern Ireland’s council elections proceeded today, the DUP has virtually repeated its Westminster performance by strengthening its hand in local government. Ian Paisley’s party increased its number of seats with 182 councillors being elected, up 52 on 2001 election figures with a near 30% share of the vote.
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As counting in Northern Ireland’s council elections proceeded today, the DUP has virtually repeated its Westminster performance by strengthening its hand in local government. Ian Paisley’s party increased its number of seats with 182 councillors being elected, up 52 on 2001 election figures with a near 30% share of the vote.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
