Limavady Council jobs 'at risk'-says John Dallat

Assembly Member John Dallat says the failure of the Environment Minister Edwin Poots to bring forth the legislation is holding the future of councillor jobs "in limbo" in both the Limavady and Coleraine council areas.

John Dallat said: "There are hold-ups obstructing the way forward on the future of local government jobs in Coleraine and Limavady Council. The Executive hasn't agreed the Boundaries Commission's report on local government boundaries or a report on the district electoral areas, which will determine the number of councillors in each ward and give some degree of certainty to those councillors who may wish to stand."

"There is a hold-up of the Reorganisation Bill - by the Office of First and Deputy First Minister - and the Finance Bill, both of which should have been through the Executive by the end of January according to a letter from Secretary of State Paul Goggins, otherwise we are facing elections in May 2011." Added the Assembly member.

Mr Dallat continued: "Failure by the Executive in allowing these bills will certainly be subject to the Executive Working Group set up through the Hillsborough Agreement to scrutinise the work of the Executive.

"Unfortunately, the Environment Minister is being disingenuous about the hold-up in local government and is not giving a straight answer on its future. He is refusing to answer the question relating to Paul Goggins' letter.

"Paul Goggins' letter was a severe rebuke to Edwin Poots and highlighted the severe failure of the Executive to deliver on this legislation."

In response to Mr Dallat's claims, a spokesman for the Department of Environment said the review of district electoral areas such as Limavady and Coleraine was "a matter for the Secretary of State".

The DOE spokesman said: "The Minister has considered the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner's Final Recommendations Report and has circulated a paper to Executive colleagues, together with a draft Local Government (Boundaries) Order, for consideration. Subject to the Executive's agreement, the Final Report, Draft Order and Statement about any modifications will be laid before the Assembly as soon as possible."

"The review of district electoral areas is a matter for the Secretary of State."

The spokesman continued: "Work on the Local Government (Finance) Bill, which will modernise the financial framework within which local government will work, is progressing and the Minister intends to introduce the Bill in the Assembly shortly."

"The Minister is also pressing the Executive to agree policy proposals for the Local Government (Reorganisation) Bill to ensure that reorganisation can take place in May 2011. Subject to Executive agreement, the proposals will be issued for consultation as soon as possible."