11 councils?
Just did an interview for tonight's 91Èȱ¬ Newsline on the uncertain fate of Peter Hain's proposed super councils. An executive sub committee will start looking at the local government shake up from tomorrow. Chaired by the Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, the group is expected to report back by the end of the year. Sinn Fein backed Peter Hain's seven council model, although there were dissenting voices, most notably Francie Molloy. But the other parties were against, favouring fifteen councils.
Both sides can wield a veto over the future. Some senior Stormont sources are telling me that eleven councils is the most likely compromise, but there could be some horse trading before everyone signs off on an agreed figure.
Either way it looks like the proposed timetable for council reform will be delayed. Elections to the super councils were originally meant to take place next year, with the new structures taking power in the spring of 2009. Now any new councils are unlikely to 'go live' until 2011, meaning the existing 26 councils could get a stay of execution.
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new council boundaries and more authoritive councils have to be estabished, and as soon as possible.
The Belfast boundary should reflect the full populace of the city, regardless of political considerations in surrounding areas.
Planning should not return to local authorities but be directed by the Stormont Assembly.