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The political crisis in Northern Ireland has added pressure on the reorganisation of local government in the province. The resignation of first minister, Peter Robinson, led to talks between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party on reforms giving greater powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly – and local government. But plans to reform policing arrangements have delayed work to reduce the number of local government councils from 26 to 11 by May 2011. Policing forms part of community planning which is a key responsibility for the new councils. Other problems, particularly planning permission and staff transfer, were already causing difficulty before the latest political drama. Agreeing boundaries for the new authorities will also have to be negotiated. ‘This is a massive issue and people are in limbo until the current situation is resolved,' said a spokesman. A report by consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers has put the cost of the transfer – without policing functions – at £120m, but savings of £400m through shared services are expected to result. Council leaders had warned last month that the process of modernising government was in danger of falling behind. John Mathews, president of NILGA, warned before the scandal broke: ‘There is increasingly-grave and widespread concern among both members and officers, that any further delays will seriously compromise our ability to deliver an effective reform programme. The continuing deadlock is leading to uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the sector, and is already beginning to impact on the existing transition activities. ‘Failure is not an option. Effective services to the public must not be compromised under any circumstances.'

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WHITEHALL

Stormont drama rocks NI reforms

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