Slugger O'Toole

Reviewing the Review..

The Environment Minster Arlene Foster has confirmed what we already knew.. that she will lead an Executive sub-committee – including Ministers of Regional Development, Social Development, Finance & Personnel and Health, Social Services and Public Safety – to re-review all the local government aspects of the RPA.From the Minister’s statement

The Minister explained that the review will have three strands: “The first strand will focus on developing our shared vision for local government. The second will focus on the numbers of councils and the third will concentrate on the functions to transfer to local government. The review will consider the decisions of the previous administration to develop a council-led community planning process and the complementary power of well-being.

“I will lead the review on behalf of the Executive Committee, with oversight by an Executive sub-committee made up of a number of my Ministerial colleagues. We intend to complete by this autumn with a view to the Executive announcing its decisions to the Assembly and the public in December 2007.

“I encourage everyone to engage in the review. Today is the first stage of a process which is designed to establish consensus on the future shape of local government. These proposals will impact on councils, elected representatives, major public sector providers and the voluntary and community sectors, as well as the general public. I hope that as many people and organisations as possible will take the opportunity to engage in the review and participate in the intensive stakeholder engagement planned for this autumn.”