Local Government Reform - Consultation on Policy Proposals

• give advice to Ministers about matters affecting the exercise of
any of their department’s functions;
• make representations to Ministers about any matters affecting, or
of concern to, those involved in local government in Northern
Ireland; and
• give advice to those involved in local government in Northern
Ireland.
Question 41:
Should a Partnership Panel be established to formalise
relations between central and local government?
Question 42:
What are your views on the proposed remit of the Panel?
Supervision of Councils
9.1. Sections 127-129 of the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Government</strong> Act (Northern Ireland)
1972 contain powers to enable the Department to supervise how
councils exercise their functions. Those powers, which have rarely
been used, would enable the Department to:
• require a council to make reports and give information about the
exercise of its functions to the Department;
• cause local or other inquiries to be held or investigations to be
made in connection with any matters relating to the functions of a
council; and
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