Assembly Written Question 1998/17-22

To ask the Minister for Communities to outline her powers regarding local government oversight.

Answer: My Department has the following powers of last resort, provided in the Local Government Act (NI) 2014, regarding local government oversight:

Section 104 - My Department (or any Department) may direct a council to make a report or return or supply specific information with respect to the exercise of the council’s functions.

Section 105 - My Department (or any Department) may cause a local inquiry to be held along with such investigations it sees fit in connection with the administration of any statutory provision relating to the functions of a council or its committees and sub-committees

Section 106 - My Department (or any Department) may, after an inquiry or investigation has been completed and the Department is satisfied that the council has failed to discharge any if its functions, may make an order that the council is in default and direct a council to take action, within a specified period.