1. Council Reform – damp squib or new dawn?

2. NILGA – TODAY AND TOMORROW 1. Vision for Local Government 2. Sustainability of Local Government 3. Development of elected members in Local Government 4. Lobbying for Local Government 5. Communicating on behalf of and within Local Government 6. Improvement and representation of Local Government 7. Collective development and capacity building for Local Government 8. Working with members and councils to determine a Programme for LOCAL Government

3. RPA has risen from the dead!

4. The Current Context Councils with limited powers and influence Complex public sector picture at local level – too many cooks Reform programme gathering speed - very different capacities between and within councils Devolution and a developing regional legislative Assembly Economic downturn – limited resources Reform is a target in the Programme for Government Changing social agenda – e.g. welfare reform Wanting more, delivering with less, ratepayer, media and government demands on the increase with 50% resource cuts and job losses in GB and similar draconian cuts in Ireland for councils

5. The Existing Vision (2008!!) A vision for Strong Local Government, where the council will be “A dynamic, responsive and accountable leader in shaping, maintaining and promoting inclusive communities that are healthy, prosperous, safe, vibrant, sustainable and people-centred”. March 2008, NILGA Corporate (and Ministerial)

8. Local Government Reform Timetable Statutory Transition Committees: August 2013 – May 2014 Local Government Bill scheduled for introduction to the Assembly on MONDAY?? – Passed by Executive Elections to Shadow Councils (22 nd May 2014) – NIO legislation now out for consultation Shadow councils May 2014 – end March 2015 1 st April 2015 – new councils ‘go live’ (and existing councils wound down + accounts closed off)

9. Statutory Transition Committees Duties –Draft corporate plan –Develop proposed governance arrangements –Financial, HR and ICT tasks (Awaiting guidance on borrowing!) –Draft service delivery arrangements for existing and new functions –Appointments of new Chief Executives

10. Local Government Bill New duties and powers –Community Planning –General Power of Competence Key policy proposals –Governance –Ethical Standards –Performance Improvement –Central – Local Partnership Panel LOTS of Subordinate legislation & guidance

11. New functions - transferring Area planning & development management Urban regeneration and HMOs Local economic development Local tourism Off-street car-parking Delivery of EU rural development programme

12. Key Opportunities Community Planning Better integration General Power of Competence Local and central government working in partnership Northern Ireland NEEDS a Programme for Local Government Greater collaboration e.g. through ICE programme, systems convergence, procurement toolkit

13. Community Planning

14. FROM THIS....

15. TO THIS? Themes such as economy, health, education, community safety

16. Councils are... Closer to people and best placed to meet community needs Democratically accountable at local level Providers of a sense of place and local identity, with an in-depth understanding of local needs, priorities and difference The ‘junction box’ of local delivery – at the centre of transformation and improvement Providers of local and tailored interventions, that are innovative, efficient and effective.

17. Outcomes focus Local councils will work together with local people, organisations and businesses to improve quality of life and economic competitiveness, to create places which are: Active, inclusive and safe Well run, with accessible services Environmentally aware and sustainable Well-designed and built Well connected Economically thriving Well-served - participation and governance Fair for everyone

18. Council Role To create the conditions for growth and sustainability, supporting the key characteristics of competitiveness, councils will perform a number of key roles: Leader - helping create local ambition and confidence Service provider - local service provider and integrator Partner of choice - convening and co-ordinating joint solutions to the big issues impacting on communities Place-shaper - improving quality of life for everyone Investor - helping to stimulate the economy

19. Central - Local Partnership Local Government has never been better placed to be an active partner in delivering the outcomes that all parts of public service must work together to achieve for Northern Ireland. Councils will play a key part in the solution required to address the current challenging economic climate. Local Government’s vision is for a statutory central/local partnership which enables meaningful collaboration in the achievement of shared outcomes, facilitated and underpinned by a strong approach to community planning.

20. Key Reform Issues Funding reform – cost implications of change Rates convergence Clarity on Transferring functions – assets, budgets, staff, funding mechanism Capacity building – need for skilling up of members and officers e.g. planning finance Making community planning WORK

21. Problems can be overcome more easily if we all work together!

22. Councils improvement, collaboration and efficiency initiatives preceded and will succeed Reform. “RPA” is a legal process to a mechanical end. “ICE” is a culture change which will transform based on the biggest change factors in history: Austerity Leadership Customer demand

23. Conclusion Reform IS going to happen Substantial progress has been made so far There is still a long way to go, with some key issues outstanding NILGA is taking a positive approach: Strong liaison with STCs and members On-going liaison with DOE Minister and Officials

24. THANK YOU!