§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report a list of powers currently held and exercised by the current 26 councils in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. GoodhartThese may be summarised under three headings:—
- (a) Councils have executive responsibility for a range of local services including recreation entertainment and cultural activities; environmental health; clean air; consumer protection; building regulations; tourist development schemes; gas supplies; street cleansing; refuse collection and disposal; litter prevention; cemeteries, crematoria and mortuaries; public toilets; local harbours; local aerodromes; abattoirs; markets at d fairs; care of war memorials and monuments; caravan sites and licences; civic lighting: assistance to community groups; certain minor housing functions; and miscellaneous registration and licensing functions.
- (b) Councils are empowered to nominate local representatives to serve on various statutory bodies responsible for the administration of regional services such as education and libraries, health and personal social services, housing, drainage, fire, and museums.
- (c) Councils have a consultative role in relation to regional services provided by central Government Departments such as planning, roads, water and sewerage and the listing of buildings. Councils must al so be consulted by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on local housing programmes.