§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 29 April 2003,Official Report, column 332W, on bylaws, which local government authorities have applications for bylaws outstanding; how many outstanding applications there are per local government authority; what the content is of outstanding applications received by the Department of Environment from local government authorities requesting permission to invoke new bylaws in the past 10 years; when they were received by the Department of Environment; what action has been taken towards granting permission on each separate application; how many of these applications are within the power of the Department to confirm; and when local government authorities are notified that an application has not been successful. [113573]
§ Angela SmithIn total 12 applications to the Department of Environment from eight district councils for the confirmation of bylaws are currently outstanding. The number of outstanding applications by district council is set out in the table together with the broad content of each application and the date received.
803WAction has been taken on all applications and these have been the subject of extensive correspondence and discussion involving district councils and legal advisers for local and central government. Each application is currently at a different stage of consideration.
804W
District council Number of bylaw applications Broad content1 Date received Ards 4 Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces; Seashores, Esplanades and Promenades; Good Rule and Government—Miscellaneous; Good Rule and Government—Car Parks 16 March 1994 Carrickfergus 1 Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces 15 May 2001 Craigavon 1 Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces 5 August 1996 Castlereagh 1 Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces 28 June 2002 Coleraine 1 Seashores, Esplanades and Promenades 29 April 1998 Down 1 Seashores, Esplanades and Promenades 14 September 1998 Lisburn 1 Good Rule and Government 14 August 2000 North Down 2 Seashores, Esplanades and Promenades 2 December 1994 Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces 18 January 2002 TOTAL 12 1 There are 8 model sets of Home Office bylaws. The current applications fall within three of the models, as follows: "Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces" includes bylaws for the regulation and management of playgrounds; control of certain sports; protection of flora and fauna; and skateboarding and roller skating. "Seashores, Esplanades and Promenades" includes bylaws for the control of public meetings; animals; vehicles; games and entry to public conveniences. "Good Rule and Government" includes bylaws for the control of noise; reckless/wilful damage; games near streets and district council car parks. All 12 applications are within the power of the Department to confirm and in four cases joint confirmation with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is required. The Department of Environment has not notified any district council during the period that its application has not been successful.