Councillors Cash Call

A leading organisation that represents councillors in Borough, city and town councils across Northern Ireland has called for more cash to be made available during the current phase of reorganisation.

The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) said the NI Executive had to ensure £30m was made available.

A spokesman said that investment is needed to modernise local government in Northern Ireland.

Speaking about the ongoing moves to reduce the number of local councils in NI from 26 to 11, the organisation is insisting that the smaller set-up will they will then have more responsibilities.

NILGA Vice President Peter Weir said it was vital that adequate resources be made available to enable local councils to deliver for citizens.

Noting that members are to discuss the modernisation package for local government today, he said: "It is essential that this fund be provided so that local government can deliver citizen centred services under the new 11 council model after the council elections in 2011.

"The Minister's own department has acknowledged that £30m is required in order for local councils to be able to deliver the modernisation process and we are calling on the Stormont Executive to deliver for local government."

The latest comments come on foot of Monday's announcement by Environment Minister Arlene Foster.

She spelt out details of the future shape of local government and said councils could deliver significant services, such as planning, regeneration, building control and environmental health.

Mrs Foster has said Belfast should have no more than 60 councillors and that none of the other new councils should have any more than 40 councillors each.

This is against a background that Northern Ireland has 582 councillors, so the figure represents a cut of at least 122.

Speaking on Monday, she said: "We looked at the need for representation against the background of a fully functioning assembly and executive, and the need to ensure efficient working and decision-making.

"Weighing these factors, we reached the view that Belfast should have an upper limit of around 60 councillors and that the remaining 10 councils should have an upper limit of around 40."

(BMcC)