Council merger ‘should not be funded by rates’

Council merger ‘should not be funded by rates’

30 May 2012 - by David Telford

LOCAL politicians don’t want the cost of merging Down and Newry and Mourne councils to be financed by ratepayers.

They insist the cash to oversee the merger in 2015 as part of sweeping changes to local government across Northern Ireland must be provided by central government.

The current number of 26 district councils is to be slashed to 11 with architects of the plan arguing it will save millions of pounds in the long run.

Politicians want to ensure central government provides the necessary cash to finance the merger and that already hard-pressed ratepayers won’t see their annual bills soar to pay for it.

Two notices of motion on the council merger were discussed at Monday night’s monthly meeting of Down Council.

The first proposed by councillor Walter Lyons (UUP) urged the local authority to reject the 11-council model and ask central government to make funding available for an alternative new council model.

Councillor Lyons said while no one disagrees with the need to change the current model of local government, he believes what’s proposed “won’t deliver good service and raises more questions than answers.”

His suggestion was amended on a proposal by DUP councillor William Dick. While expressing concern about the “wisdom of the 11-council model and what savings will be made,” he warned it would be “ludicrous” at this stage to change what has already been agreed.

Councillor Dick proposed Down Council write to Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood if the council merger proceeds as planned to see what money will be available to implement the change. His suggestion was agreed.

A second motion by tabled by Sinn Fein Councillor Mickey Coogan “noted with concern” Mr. Attwood’s failure to submit a business case to the Assembly seeking financial assistance for the review of public administration.

It also called on the Minister to work in partnership and support local government in the submission of an agreed joint business case that will allow for the successful completion of local council reform.

Councillor Coogan said with the proposed merger of Down and Newry and Mourne councils on the horizon, staff who work for both organisations are seeking clarity about their futures.

“The 11-council model has been agreed by the Executive and members of our council have been involved in discussions with their colleagues in Newry about the way forward. Now we have some people saying they are opposed to the new model. The simple fact is that local government cannot be expected to pay for the merger of councils,” he added.

An amendment to councillor Coogan’s motion proposed by SDLP councillor Colin McGrath calling on Mr. Attwood to ascertain the full costs of implementing local council reform with these met by central government was tabled and agreed. Sinn Fein councillors opposed the amendment.

Councillor McGrath said it was his understanding that Mr. Attwood is putting a business case together on the cost of local government reform which is to be presented to the Executive next month.