Limavady and Londonderry council merger mooted

During a lengthy debate this morning (Tuesday, June 12) on proposed changes to the way Northern Ireland is governed at local council level, an MLA for Londonderry’s Foyle constituency made the suggestion that “Derry City Council should remain intact or, at the very least, be amalgamated in some way with part of Limavady council”

SDLP Assembly Member Pat Ramsey made the suggestion to Environment Minister Alex Attwood, who proposed this week that the ‘Draft Local Government (Boundaries) Order (Northern Ireland) 2012’ be approved by the Stormont Assembly.

He said: “You made reference to radical reform being necessary, and part of the RPA is about bringing efficiency and value for money, but it is also about delivering economically and socially. “There is a growing opinion in the north-west that, given its historical regeneration and cultural agenda, Derry City Council should remain intact or, at the very least, be amalgamated in some way with part of Limavady council.”

Pat Ramsey was speaking in response to his party colleague Alex Attwood’s Ministerial statement on local government reform.

In his statement, Mr Attwood said: “The review of public administration (RPA) was launched by the Northern Ireland Executive almost 10 years ago. After numerous delays to the reorganisation of local government, the history of which is well known here and outside, it is now time to take forward the Executive’s decision.

“Although I have made my view clear on the issue of the number of councils, it is not inconsistent with my view that Northern Ireland needs a new phase of radical reform, protecting the reform achievements of the past 45 years, learning from the benefits of reform over those years and deepening reform across a wide section of public policy that includes, in my view, local government and local government reform.”

He explained some of the changes involved: “Beyond the politics of local government, the operation and practice of the reform of local government is a significant undertaking. In my view, it is a matter of regret that the once in a lifetime opportunity presented by RPA at this stage will not see the transfer of many significant functions from central government that would be better suited to local government, save that of planning.

“However, planning and the transfer of planning tell a tale, in that in a short period of three years, which is still adequate time, local councils will become the local planning authorities.

“Getting that right with resourcing, capacity, management, architecture, and to change the culture of local councils and councillors from being planning lobbyists, which is a proper and legitimate function of councillors, to being a planning authority responsible for planning decisions, local development plans and community planning, is the measure of what we need to achieve over the next three years.

“The making of the boundaries order is a step in the creation of the 11 new councils and a development that can create stronger, more effective local government that will deliver improved outcomes for everybody.

“Ultimately, that has to be the measure of what we are doing. Does the reorganisation of local councils create better, stronger, more effective, more accountable, better value and more efficient local councils that better reflect the interests and needs of those who we serve, citizens and ratepayers?”