Northern Ireland
Funding boost brings 'hope' for councils, says NILGA
A £20.3m funding boost to local authorities has given ‘hope’ to the councils and their partners, leaders have said.
Crisis cash on its way for NI councils
Councils in Northern Ireland have finally been handed extra funding to deal with the coronavirus crisis, bringing them in line with the rest of the UK.
Budget 2020: New West Yorkshire mayor announced
A new directly-elected West Yorkshire mayor has been announced with the Government signing a new £1.8bn devolution deal amid plans to ‘level up’ the UK economy.
Debt-hit Northern Ireland council votes for ‘urgent assistance’
Causeway Coast & Glens BC has voted to bring in independent financial advisers after confirming total borrowing of £71.1m.
Unions criticise 'unnecessary' pay offer delay
The three unions representing council workers today criticised ‘unnecessary delays’ after local government employers failed to make them a pay offer for 2020/21.
Government dismisses same-sex marriage concerns
The Government has dismissed council concerns over registrars potentially refusing to perform same-sex marriages when new legislation comes into force in Northern Ireland next week.
Councils seek advice over same-sex marriage
Councils are seeking advice ahead of the introduction of regulations that will allow same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships to take place in Northern Ireland.
NILGA in pre-election powers and resources call
Northern Ireland’s Parliamentary candidates have been urged to prioritise granting greater powers and resources to councils ahead of next week’s General Election.
NILGA’s no-deal dilemma
Karen Smyth explains how Northern Ireland’s local councils are playing a pivotal role in helping their communities get ready for whatever Brexit outcome lies ahead. Ann McGauran reports.
Growing a city the holistic way
Chief executive of Belfast City Council Suzanne Wylie talks to Ann McGauran about the ambitious 20-year place-shaping community plan, prioritising inclusive growth, the Brexit factor, and more.
Jenrick excluded from daily Brexit committee
Concerns have been raised about Marsham Street’s influence on Brexit matters in Whitehall.
Heseltine in call for new department for the regions
A new department for the regions should be established, former deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine has argued.
Councils and union clash over zero-hour contracts
Councils have insisted on keeping the option of zero-hour contracts as Unison prepares to push the sector’s associations to back a campaign to abolish them.
Voter ID confidence drops
The proportion of people who think voter ID helps to prevent electoral fraud has dropped from 52% in 2016 to 35% in 2019, new research has found.
Redistribution call after imbalance findings
A think-tank has called for a redistribution of public investment from London to England’s poorer regions after latest figures showed a huge imbalance between levels of tax and public spending.
Call for councils to fill Northern Ireland 'democratic deficit'
The Government has rebuffed a call by councils in Northern Ireland for more devolved powers.
NILGA: Give councils the power to change Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) has called for the role of councils to be formally reviewed and strengthened after the elections in May, giving greater decision making powers to local people and places.
Northern Irish councils in fresh calls amid Stormont deadlock
Northern Ireland’s councils today said they need to be equipped to deliver more as the country marks two years since devolved government met at Stormont.
Voter ID pilots face legal challenge
A formal legal challenge to the Government’s voter ID trials has been lodged at the High Court by lawyers representing campaigner Neil Coughlan.
Three NI councils agree to work towards a Growth Deal
Three councils in Northern Ireland have confirmed their intent to work towards a deal to boost economic growth.
