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NILGA CONFIRMS - COUNCIL LEADERS COMMIT TO EFFICIENCIES
25 February 2010
Councillor John Mathews, President of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) today welcomed the Ministers agreement with Local Government proposals to maximise efficiencies for the rate payer - while protecting front line services.
“We have now clarified that we are all on the same page – more detailed work can now progress!”
The President explained the next steps. “We will now work directly with the Transition Committees, to develop further detail around the proposals and with finance officers to agree a set of more accurate figures.”
“I strongly believe that councils will be able to drive Local Government Reform forward in partnership and to achieve the proposed efficiencies.
“We all want world class services and better value for our rate payers. We wish to use the same method which has delivered real results in local government in other areas. Voluntary collaboration is the way forward and not the proposed and imposed BSO model which would have had expensive set up costs, and would stifle creativity and local control!”
“We are continuing to call on the Minister to ensure that the boundaries issue is resolved and that all the necessary legislation is in place. Councils need certainty to drive and deliver their local change projects in the remaining 14 months.
He concluded, “If Central and Local Government work together, we feel that we can meet these challenges and make a real difference for everyone’s future!”
ENDS
Editors Notes
The Strategic Leadership Board meeting was held in Belfast this morning to discuss Local Government Reform and the way ahead. Those attending represent local government, the Department of Environment, and other bodies transferring to Councils under Local Government Reform. The next meeting will be held on the 13th April whereby Mechanisms to take Local Government Reform forward, will be presented by Local Government Association (NILGA) to discuss with the Minister.
Both NILGA and SOLACE have worked in partnership to produce the Principles provided to the Minister and further work will now commence with the Eleven Transition Committees, representing the proposed new Councils for Northern Ireland.
For more information please contact:
Tara Cunningham, Director of Communication & Engagement t.cunningham@nilga.org 07946152286/07976920564 or Mark Maher, Communications Officer m.maher@nilga.org
Northern Ireland Local Government Association NILGA
Unit 5B Castlereagh Business Park, 478 Castlereagh Road, Belfast BT5 6QA.
Tel: 028 9079 8972 Web: www.nilga.org
