Council Reforms Need Clarity: MLA

The on-going process of local government reform in NI needs to be set out more clearly.

Ulster Unionist MLA for South Antrim, Danny Kinahan, (pictured) has called for clarity from the DUP and Sinn Fein on the matter of reform for local councils.

Speaking after a UUP motion on the matter was accepted by the Assembly, Mr Kinahan said: "My Party does not 100% support the proposed Business Services Organisation (BSO), we believe that councils should achieve savings in these areas by voluntary collaboration rather than setting up a monopoly run by a quango.

"However we believe that the Single Waste Authority (SWA), if done properly, can achieve real savings and is, in principle, a good idea," he said.

"Sinn Fein for the first time in this debate admitted that they are opposed to regional collaboration in these two areas and are opposed to reform of local government on that basis.

"This is in stark contrast to their approach in education where they want to centralise all power to one central body. That contrast is somewhat confusing and does not leave a clear picture of that party's world view," he said.

"The DUP have also for the first time admitted that they are split on these issues. The Minister is vociferously for the BSO, indeed he has stated again that without the BSO and SWA he will not proceed with local government reform.

"We need clarity from the DUP on this matter," the UUP MLA said.

"The DUP and Sinn Fein carved up the boundaries, and are now falling out over the structures of the new local government system.

"This is more evidence of a 'dysfunctional Executive'. When the two big parties agree they get it wrong, and when they don't a major project falls. This is no way to do Government."

(BMcC/GK)