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 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.
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 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.
Department of Environment officials have so far refused to comment on the BBC's report.
(PR/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 June 2002
Northern Ireland finance pledge from Minister
No stone will be left unturned in the search for solutions to the current infrastructure deficit in Northern Ireland, the Minister of Finance & Personnel, Dr Seán Farren, has promised.
Northern Ireland finance pledge from Minister
No stone will be left unturned in the search for solutions to the current infrastructure deficit in Northern Ireland, the Minister of Finance & Personnel, Dr Seán Farren, has promised.
20 February 2002
Minister launches Skillbuild Northern Ireland 2002
Minister for Employment and Learning, Carmel Hanna, was guest speaker on Wednesday February 20 at the launch of the Skillbuild NI 2002 Competition in Omagh.
Minister launches Skillbuild Northern Ireland 2002
Minister for Employment and Learning, Carmel Hanna, was guest speaker on Wednesday February 20 at the launch of the Skillbuild NI 2002 Competition in Omagh.
19 January 2016
Northern Ireland Year of Food & Drink 2016 Is An 'Exciting Initiative' - Bell
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Jonathan Bell, has described the Northern Ireland Year of Food & Drink 2016 as an "exciting initiative". Minister Bell was speaking at the Danske Advantage Food and Drink Event in Belfast.
Northern Ireland Year of Food & Drink 2016 Is An 'Exciting Initiative' - Bell
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Jonathan Bell, has described the Northern Ireland Year of Food & Drink 2016 as an "exciting initiative". Minister Bell was speaking at the Danske Advantage Food and Drink Event in Belfast.
16 December 2008
Pensioners Face Cuts To Repay Overpayments
UK Chancellor Alistair Darling has said money that has been overpaid to civilian and military pensioners across the UK need not be repaid.
Pensioners Face Cuts To Repay Overpayments
UK Chancellor Alistair Darling has said money that has been overpaid to civilian and military pensioners across the UK need not be repaid.
20 January 2011
Patten Interviewed For BBC Trust Chair
Interviews for the new BBC Trust Chairman's post have started with former Hong Kong Governor and ex Northern Ireland Office Minister, Lord Patten as the first candidate to face the selection panel. It is understood that the former Tory party boss was interviewed for the £110,000 "three to four days a week" job on Monday in London.
Patten Interviewed For BBC Trust Chair
Interviews for the new BBC Trust Chairman's post have started with former Hong Kong Governor and ex Northern Ireland Office Minister, Lord Patten as the first candidate to face the selection panel. It is understood that the former Tory party boss was interviewed for the £110,000 "three to four days a week" job on Monday in London.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.