The Ulster Unionist Party has voted against  the Local Government Bill claiming that it represented the next step in the carve up of the reform of local government.  

Tom Elliott said;

“The Ulster Unionist Party acknowledges that the management of local government across Northern Ireland is in need of reform. We do accept that 26 councils are too many for the size of our population and we do believe that there are significant savings to be made if councils started providing their services more collaboratively. That is why we have consistently said that we would welcome a balanced and fair proposal for the reform of local government.

It is therefore a matter of deep regret that the current reform process has been hijacked by the two largest Parties for their own selfish political means. For instance, instead of the new council boundaries being shaped around local community ties they have been twisted to create individual DUP/SF fiefdoms. How else can merging Dundonald with Moira instead of Belfast be explained?

The Local Government Bill provides the legislative framework for the future shape of local councils. Whilst the boundaries may have already been steam rolled through the Assembly, this Bill will be required to provide the legal basis for the new councils.

Whilst I agree with several issues within the Bill, not least the long awaited ban on ending dual mandates, a significant number of issues remain outstanding. Much of the detail is still to be confirmed and other important matters such as the decision making process within councils will only be clarified in standing orders. It’s simply not possible to take an informed decision on a Bill when such key questions remain outstanding.

My Party is also very concerned with the new proposal for a ‘general power of competence’. Using the Department’s very own definition this is described as giving councils the power to do ‘anything that individuals generally may do’. This power would effectively equate to giving councils a blank cheque to do whatever they like. Whilst I would trust most councils to use the power responsibly, I would have concerns that the power would be open to abuse in councils which are totally dominated by a single political party.”

Tom Elliott concluded by saying;

“The current reform process was a real opportunity to improve and streamline our local services. Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly likely that the prospect has been squandered with even the costs involved in the new councils far outweighing the savings for the foreseeable future.”