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Proposal for 11 new NI councils Proposal for 11 new NI councils
(about 2 hours later)
The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed on a compromise proposal to create 11 new councils. The NI Executive has agreed a plan to create 11 new councils.
The plan brought by the environment minister Arlene Foster was put to a vote. The DUP and Sinn Fein said the compromise plan, passed by seven votes to two, would build a firm foundation for strong local government.
The two Ulster Unionist ministers opposed the proposal which was passed by seven votes to two. It creates four nationalist-dominated councils in the west and south, and six predominantly unionist councils in the north, east and centre.
It's understood the SDLP minister Margaret Ritchie who is in the US had written to Mrs Foster indicating she was happy with the plan. The UUP opposed the plan, with MLA Fred Cobain saying he feared it would mean a mainly nationalist Belfast council.
The current 26 councils system dates back to the 1970s but, after a review, former secretary of state Peter Hain opted to cut these to just seven. 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."