East Antrim Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs has questioned the Communities Minister on the timeframe for the transfer of powers which are to be devolved to the new Councils.
Mr Beggs asked “The Minister for Communities for an update on the transfer of urban regeneration and community development powers to local councils.”
In response, he was advised that “the extension of Regeneration and Community Development powers to Local Government did not proceed under the last mandate. The new Department for Communities (DfC) has now been established with a much wider range of responsibilities, including responsibility for local government and it will be in that context that I will wish to consider the options for going forward. Ultimately, any decision to extend powers to local government is a matter for the Executive. The timing of extension would be subject to the successful completion of the legislative process.”
Roy Beggs added “It is disappointing that there is no indication of a timeframe for the devolution of these powers to Local Government.”
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