Local Government Reform - Consultation on Policy Proposals

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POLICY PROPOSALS Governance Arrangements 3.1. Good governance (i.e. management and control arrangements) lies at the heart of effective and efficient local government. It provides for best practice in policy development, decision-making and the delivery of quality services. Governance arrangements must ensure that district councils: • operate to high standards; • pursue equality and fairness within a framework of checks and balances; and • conduct their business with openness and transparency. 3.2. The existing framework for the role of elected representatives in political decision-making in district councils is set out in the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Government</strong> Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (as amended). This framework is, therefore, almost 40 years old and needs to be updated. 3.3. The objectives underpinning the proposals for new political governance arrangements for district councils after reorganisation, are that they should provide for: • efficient and effective decision-making; • checks and balances to support equality and fair treatment; • proportionality in allocating key positions; • transparency and oversight of decision-making; and • the effective and efficient creation of new local government. 5
3.4. Research has been carried out on local government decisionmaking in other regions. This has been used to inform the proposals set out in this consultation document. The research includes the executive arrangements introduced in England and Wales by the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Government</strong> Act 2000, and the streamlined committee structure adopted by the majority of councils in Scotland. The local government sector and the main political parties have also had a significant involvement in the formulation of the proposals through their engagement in the Policy Development Panel on Governance and Relationships. Decision-making Structures 3.5. At present, in most councils, an issue that requires a decision is delegated to a committee of the council which considers all the relevant material and ultimately makes a recommendation to the full council. The committee has no responsibility or authority to make the final decision (unless the council has specifically delegated a decision-making power to it). It is for the council to consider the recommendation from the committee when the minutes of that committee come before the council for ratification. The ratification of the minutes of the committee signifies the council’s endorsement of the recommendation. There is, therefore, a delay between a recommendation being made and a final decision being taken. 3.6. In considering proposals for the new arrangements, the Department takes the view that it is important to build in choice and permit flexibility in relation to the development of new decision-making structures by councils, rather than introducing a single structure for all councils. The Department proposes that a short list of decision- 6
Page 1 and 2: Local Gove
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Ministerial Foreword 1 Pur
Page 5 and 6: LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM CONSULTATIO
Page 7: implementation proposals, to give e
Page 11 and 12: Further details on the operation of
Page 13 and 14: within the council and for its repr
Page 15 and 16: 3.16. The order in which positions
Page 17 and 18: 3.21. It is further proposed that,
Page 19 and 20: Question 12: Do you agree that 15%
Page 21 and 22: government to encourage appropriate
Page 23 and 24: Code of Conduct 4.8. The Department
Page 25 and 26: Complaints 4.13. It will be the res
Page 27 and 28: Question 22: Alternatively, would y
Page 29 and 30: 4.22. In order to gain public confi
Page 31 and 32: standards committee (depending on h
Page 33 and 34: framework would also enable Ministe
Page 35 and 36: Question 30: Should councils be req
Page 37 and 38: A Statutory Audit of the Corporate
Page 39 and 40: A Power of Intervention/Enforcement
Page 41 and 42: overarching objective. Community pl
Page 43 and 44: Question 38: Should councils be req
Page 45 and 46: councils in developing and deliveri
Page 47 and 48: • take action where a council has
Page 49 and 50: Transfers of staff, assets & liabil
Page 51 and 52: Question 44: Do you agree that mode
Page 53 and 54: expenditure incurred in this way wo
Page 55 and 56: Name E-mail Telephone Governance; a
Page 57 and 58: Devolved decisionmaking Droop Quota
Page 59 and 60:
ANNEX B THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Page 61 and 62:
LIST OF CONSULTEES ANNEX C This is
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Local Government Reform - Consultation on Policy Proposals

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