| 13 December 2006 | PN 08/06 |
REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND RURAL PLANNING
MAJOR PRIORITIES FOR ASSEMBLY SUB-GROUP
The Assembly sub-group on the Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning has begun work on scrutinising progress of Government plans to rationalise the future of local government, education and health & social services and remaining public bodies. The sub-group also began detailed consideration of the impact of proposals, if adopted on the rural community as set out in Planning Policy Statement 14 (PPS 14).
The Sub-Group, will consider the full range of issues associated with the initial proposals on new council areas published by the Boundaries Commissioner in November 2006, draft legislation on the proposals for Health and Social Services and education reform and issues identified by the Local Government Task Force. In addition to the impact of the proposals set out in PPS 14, if adopted, on rural development, rural regeneration and future planning in the countryside.
Sub-group Chairperson Patsy McGlone MLA, said: [“there are important issues are before this sub-group, but I am confident that progress can be made and we will complete our considerations by 18th January 2007”].
NOTE TO EDITOR:
The sub-group membership is:
Tommy Gallagher SDLP
Alex Maskey SF
Philip McGuigan SF
Edwin Poots DUP
Mervyn Storey DUP
Jim Wilson UUP
The Terms of Reference for the sub-group on Review of Public Administration and Rural Planning matters are:
(1) Review of Public Administration
To consider –
1. The announcement by the Secretary of State in November 2005 on the future of local government; education and health and social services structures;
2. The announcement by the Secretary of State in March 2006 on the remaining public bodies;
3. The initial proposals on new council areas published by the Boundaries Commissioner in November 2006;
4. Any draft legislation on the proposals for Health and Social Services and education reform;
5. All issues identified by the local Government Task Force; and
To identify and consider any other alternative arrangements.
(2) Rural Planning
To consider –
The proposals set out in PPS 14;
- The impact of the proposals, if adopted, on rural development, rural regeneration and future planning in the countryside; and
- To identify any alternative proposals
To report to the Committee on the Programme for Government on both issues by 18 January 2007
Information about today’s meeting can be obtained from: -
The Assembly Information Office
Room B2
Parliament Buildings
Belfast
028 90 521137