Stormont stalemate ‘impacting district’

Stormont stalemate ‘impacting district’

29 August 2018

THE lack of government at Stormont is impacting on every community across the Province, according to a local politician.

Ardglass councillor Dermot Curran is the current president of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) which is the umbrella organisation for the country’s 11 district councils.

NILGA is the driving force behind a new political forum comprising MLAs and councillors drawn from all five main political parties which recently met for the second time.

The forum was established as a direct response to the lack of an Assembly and Executive with those behind the organisation describing it as a “focused attempt” to develop proper political scrutiny at local level of public sector spending and policy development. 

As things currently stand, local councils, including Newry, Mourne and Down, remain the only form of local government fully functioning at present. 

Issues discussed at the forum’s most recent meeting included emergency planning, education and sustainable waste management, with NILGA reaffirming the need for the Secretary of State and the leaders from each of the main political parties to resume talks and set up a Legislative Assembly ahead of next May’s local council elections.

Recently, NILGA set out an evidence case for greater devolution within Northern Ireland, stating that the opportunity now exists to unlock the potential of local government as the hub of public services and one which has a key part to play to solving the current paralysis.

“NILGA wants to see a modern, revitalised Stormont as soon as possible,” insisted Cllr Curran.

“The lack of government is impacting every community across Northern Ireland, from the health of our people, to growing our economy, to investing in our infrastructure. It is no badge of honour to be in limbo for such a protracted period.

“Next May it will be the local government elections and people will be asked to vote for a tier of government which is crucial to every community, but which only directly controls a 4% portion of Northern Ireland’s annual public purse of £21bn, but which influences much more. That has to be recognised, legislatively and financially.”

Cllr Curran said NILGA “makes no apology for bringing matters of common and huge concern to taxpayers into a forum where both tiers of government can work together.” 

He continued: “Local government has proven that it can deliver services to citizens and now needs more legislative powers and a greater share of the public purse. We are trying every avenue to deal with such things without Stormont, recognising that administering budgets through officials is neither ideal nor sustainable.

“Local councils are a key part of democracy and public service delivery. Lack of Ministerial sign-off is clearly holding us all back. Councils can deliver more but only if they are resourced to do so.”

Cllr Curran said NILGA is willing and able to work with all parts of government and wider civic society to sort this out and develop a better Northern Ireland for everyone.