Agenda item

“1.0       Relevant Background Information 

 

1.1       Members will be aware that the NI Executive’s draft Programme for Government and Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, contains a clear commitment to proceed with local government reform and to transfer key functions (e.g. planning, regeneration and community planning) to councils as part of the reform process. 

1.2       The Environment Minister has recently written to all councils requesting that they restore necessary implementation structures to support the operational delivery of local government reform at the local level.

 

1.3       At the SP&R Committee on the 2 March, there was an initial discussion with Members on local government reform; examining some of the key challenges in moving forward including the need to inform/shape emerging legislation, establish appropriate governance and implementation structures and effectively engage with Lisburn and Castlereagh.  The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the issue until its next meeting on 23 March to enable Members and Political Parties to give further consideration in advance of taking decisions.

 

2.0       Key Issues

 

2.1       At the SP&R meeting on 23 March 2012, Members views will be sought on the following key issues:-

 

2.2       (i)  Belfast voluntary Transition Committee

 

2.2.1    Members are asked to give consideration to the political composition of the Council’s voluntary Transition Committee (vTC) which will provide political oversight and co-ordinate the Councils activities around local government reform.  Potential options include:

 

Option 1:  SP&R Committee designated as Belfast vTC with 1 monthly meeting dealing with reform related matters; (would ensure proportionality)

Option 2:  SP&R Committee, with the addition of a PUP nomination to ensure cross party representation, designated as  Belfast vTC with 1 monthly meeting dealing with reform related matters;

Option 3:  Belfast vTC to consist of Party Group Leaders and Chairs and Deputy Chairs of all Standing Committees (would ensure proportionality)

Option 4:  Any other political composition which SP&R and Council agree appropriate.

 

            Depending on the option chosen, consideration would have to be given to whether there was any impact on the Councils proportionality arrangements and whether any change was required to Standing Orders.  In any event it is recommended that the vTC meet once a month to discuss reform related issues.

 

2.2       (ii)  Transfer of Functions

 

2.2.1    Members’ authority is sought for the Council to intensify its discussions with DOE, DoE Planning Service and DSD regarding the potential initiation of a Belfast pilot which seeks to integrate planning and regeneration functions within the context, among other things, of the delivery of the Belfast Investment Programme.  This has already been discussed when a BCC cross-party delegation recently meet with the Environment Minister and a meeting is now being sought with the DSD Minister

 

2.2.2    Authority is sought also to develop a joint training programme with the Planning Service to build the capacity of both Councillors and officers in relation to planning and their future statutory role.

 

2.3       (iii)  Engagement with Lisburn and Castlereagh

 

2.3.1    Members are asked to consider whether the Council should formally write to both Lisburn and Castlereagh councils seeking to meet with them to discuss matters of mutual interest and to start to plan for any proposed boundary changes and associated challenges (e.g. ensuring service harmonisation, transfer of assets and liabilities, mitigating potential financial risks, minimising the impact on rates etc).  A piece of work has already been authorised by the Committee to look at service needs in relation to future leisure provision.

 

2.4       (iv)  Funding Local Government Reform

 

2.4.1    There is growing opposition across local government to the NI Executive’s decision not to fund local government reorganisation but rather seeking local government to fund reform.  How such costs are identified, planned and budgeted for on a potential ‘invest to save’ basis will be crucial.  It is understood that the DoE are considering what financial instruments could be put in place to give councils greater flexibility to fund specific one-off costs of reform.

 

2.4.2    The Council has received correspondence from the National Association of Councillors setting out the Association’s concerns in regards to the absence of central government funding for key elements of the reform process including severance payments for members who may be displaced by the proposed reduction in the number of local councils in 2015.  The Association has sought clarification from local government if they believe they can fund the reform programme or whether they expect central government to provide part funding.

2.4.3    The Council will need to consider whether it is willing to fund elements of the reform programme which offer the potential to secure future efficiency savings or service improvements for the Council.

 

2.4.4    It may be that Members would wish to support a lobby led by NILGA requesting the NI Executive to provide additional funding to enable Councils to deliver on the RPA.  It is advised that the Council also seek authority for an increase in Special Responsibility Allowance from the DOE, to permit Belfast to fund the additional Member involvement which will be required by the RPA process if the NILGA lobby is unsuccessful. 

 

2.5       (v)Governance proposals and Council’s decision-making processes

 

2.5.1    The Council must ensure that it engages with DoE and informs the emerging legislative proposals relating to the future governance and decision-making processes of Councils.  Such proposals are to be set out in the draft Local Government Reorganisation Bill which it is expected to be issued for consultation by December 2012. Detailed consideration needs to be given to the practical and operational implications of any proposals relating to, in particular:-

 

·       ‘Weighted Majority Voting’ (e.g. 80% of Council members present and voting). Understanding that decisions relating to the statutory duties of the Council , e.g. striking the rate and those of a quasi judicial nature such as making bye-laws would be excluded from qualified majority voting.

 

·       ‘Decision call-in’ procurements (e.g. a call-in trigger being 15% of total Council membership).  We need to ensure that adequate consideration is given to the practical implications

 

2.5.2    Members will note that a separate report on this matter is on the Committee’s agenda for discussion.

 

3.0       Proposed next steps

 

3.1       Following discussion among Members at the Committee meeting, a detailed project plan dealing with, among other things, the various issues outlined above will be developed and brought back to a subsequent meeting of the Committee for consideration and approval.

4.0       Resource Implications

 

            There will clearly be financial and Human Resources implications for the Council in preparing for RPA; however, the scope and scale of these remain somewhat uncertain in the absence of further detail from the NI Executive and clarification on potential funding options.

 

            If the Committee agree to seek authority from the Environment Minister to extend the limit of its Special Responsibilities Allowance, any additional funding allocated towards this will be secured through realignment of existing budgets.

 

5.0       Recommendations

 

            Members are asked to consider and agree:

 

i.       the political composition of the Belfast voluntary Transition Committee (vTC);

ii.      that the nomination process to the Belfast vTC would sit outside the formal Committee appointment process as set out within the Council’s Standing  Orders;

iii.     that the Belfast vTC meets at least once a month;

iv.     that the Council now actively engages with DoE, Planning Service and DSD regarding a Belfast pilot;

v.      Council officials work with DoE Planning Service officials  to develop proposals for a joint training and capacity building programme around planning;

vi.     to formally write to both Lisburn and Castlereagh councils seeking an initial meeting to identify and discuss matters of mutual interest resulting from any proposed changes to Belfast’s boundary;

vii.    whether the Council would be willing to fund key elements of the local government reform programme on a potential ‘invest to save’ basis and to respond to the correspondence received from the National Association of Councillors accordingly; and

viii.   whether the Council should write to the Environment Minister seeking authority to extend the limit of its Special Responsibilities Allowance scheme.”

 

            After discussion, it was

 

            Moved by Councillor McVeigh,

            Seconded by Councillor Maskey,

 

      That the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee be designated as Belfast’s voluntary Transition Committee and that a Member of the Progressive Unionist Party be invited to attend the meetings in a non?voting capacity.

 

            On a vote by show of hands ten Members voted for the proposal and seven against and it was accordingly declared carried.

 

            After further discussion, the Committee agreed to adopt recommendations (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) as set out in the report.  With regard to Option (viii), the Committee agreed not to write to the Environment Minister to seek authority to extend the limit of its Special Responsibilities Allowances scheme.