COUNCILLOR GUIDE 2019 Information and resources to support you in your role as a Councillor in Northern Ireland’s Local Authorities Contents Welcome Page 4 Welcome to NILGA Page 5 Part 1 Your Role as a Councillor 1(a) The Councillor’s Role Page 12 1(b) Support for Councillors Page 19 1(c) Personal Development Page 24 1(d) Outside Bodies Page 29 Part 2 The Local Government Sector 2(a) Background and Context Page 36 2(b) Council Functions Page 40 2(c) Decisions and the Law Page 52 Part 3 Place Shaping Page 66 Part 4 Strategic Bodies Page 84 Appendix Page 116 This document was produced using sustainable materials 3 Welcome Congratulations and welcome to local government! It’s the Northern Ireland Local Government more experienced councillor and is designed Association’s pleasure to congratulate you to add to the support and guidance you will on being elected as a councillor and to receive from your own council. It explores welcome you to the local government family. some of the main issues and challenges facing local government today and includes hints and For many of you, this will be your first time in tips from experienced councillors. elected office and this honour will give you a completely new perspective on how important Whether you have a few hours to spare or just councils are in improving the wellbeing of those in our communities. 10 minutes, you will find helpful information here about areas in which you may become This Guide produced by the Northern Ireland involved. Local Government Association, (NILGA), is designed to provide you with the key You can find lots of further information on information you need to know as a new or NILGA’s website: www.nilga.org Produced with the support of the Local Government Training Group (LGTG) 4 Welcome to NILGA Devolution, Shared Services, Waste Management; Community Planning, Local Development Planning, Economic Development; Strategic Migration, and the Programme for Government. NILGA and the 11-member councils have a The Northern Ireland Local Government Programme for Local Government which will Association (NILGA), established in October be reviewed in 2021. This provides a Vision 2001, is the representative and policy body for Local Government in Northern Ireland, to for District Councils in Northern Ireland grow its powers, responsibilities and resources and is often known as “the Voice of Local gradually over time – and to ensure local Government”. government is a strong, professional, diverse, grassroots connected and inclusive part of NILGA promotes, develops, champions, how Northern Ireland is governed. protects and improves the local government sector in Northern Ireland, offering policy guidance, delivering elected member learning NILGA’s representation on the and development, and negotiating National National Joint Council for Local Pay agreements. Working with councillors Government Services (NJC) and officers, NILGA represents local councils in Northern Ireland at UK national, The principal way in which terms and Irish, European, Commonwealth and other conditions of employment for employees in international groupings. local government are set is through national, collective bargaining, where representatives The Association is led by all member councils of councils and council employees meet and is supported by political parties at both to negotiate those terms and conditions. local and central government. NILGA has Generally, collective bargaining takes place formed effective corporate relationships with at three levels in local government: nationally, all relevant departments in central government, regionally and locally. the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) and Senior Managers, officer The national level covers all council employees networks, and other key agencies in the in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - public, voluntary and private sectors. It has Scotland has its own arrangements. The sister bodies in England (the LGA), Scotland national level of bargaining is concerned with (COSLA), Wales (WLGA) and Ireland (AILG / negotiating the broad framework of conditions Regional Assemblies). of service, including issues considered to be core, minimum conditions. The regional NILGA is constituted by - and accountable level of bargaining consists of eleven regions to - the member councils as the sector’s (nine in England plus one each in Wales and representative body. The Association takes Northern Ireland). This tier is concerned with a proactive approach to policy development the application of the national conditions within for, and with, councils in Northern Ireland, each region, together with the negotiation contributing to issues which include: Local of any region-specific matters. The regional Government Reform and Improvement; bodies are also charged with advising on 5 the interpretation of national and regional As an Employers’ Association, it also has agreements and can assist with the resolution representation on the National Association of of any disputes between a council and its Regional Employers (NARE) which provides employees within the region. All other matters a direct access to both member and officer are for local determination between individual learning, from across 13 regions, and enables councils and their employees. Most employees best practice, free and low-cost training, within councils (around 95%) fall under the learning tools and similar advantages to be National Agreement on Pay and Conditions tailored for each and every council in Northern of Service, known in local government as the Ireland. NILGA is a registered and licensed ‘Green Book’, which sets out the conditions of “Charter” provider, namely the nationally service negotiated by the National Joint Council accredited Award for Councils committed for Local Government Services (the ‘NJC’). to member development, an initiative which at its fullest level requires assessment and endorsement from the community which you and your Council serves. Workforce and Development As above mentioned, NILGA is a registered NILGA retains a strong link and input into the Employers’ Association. In that role, NILGA Local Government Training Group, which is represents district councils in Northern Ireland, an all council grouping resourced to provide as employers, in discussions nationally and workforce and member training / learning interacts with trade unions recognised as / development in a regionally co-ordinated representing employees in local government. manner for the 11 councils. Causeway Coast & Glens Mid & East Antrim Derry City & Strabane Antrim & N’abbey Mid Ulster Ards Belfast & North Down Fermanagh & Omagh Lisburn & Castlereagh Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Newry Mourne & Down 6 Your Induction Toolkit Use this Induction toolkit to help you prepare for your role as an elected member. INDUCTION CHECKLIST Tick off the tasks below as you do them. Members’ Room Record information relevant to your Council Members’ Services Department and useful documents to refer back to using Pigeonholes for councillors’ post the note paper at the back of this guide. Office equipment for members’ use (photocopiers, phones, computers, printers) SIGNING UP Library or reference area, including copies of local and national newspapers I have: Refreshment/ canteen area Signed my acceptance of office Fire exits Completed the Council’s Declaration of Interests form BASIC INFORMATION Received a copy of the Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for I have had: Councillors A meet and greet with senior Council Informed the Council of any additional staff including the Chief Executive, Heads needs with which they can assist me in my of Departments and other key officers role I have access to: FIRST THINGS FIRST An organisational chart of the Council’s I have been supplied with: internal management A list of other Council members, their DEAs A security pass and a Council diary and political affiliation A mobile phone, tablet and / or laptop Key Council strategy documents including The opening hours of the main Council the Corporate Plan, Best Value Strategy, Offices and Service Depots Equality and Emergency Plans, Annual A guided tour of the main Council building Report, etc. and facilities, including Council chambers Documents such as statistics about and A map outlining the layout of the main key issues in my Council area Council Offices, buildings and car parks A schedule of full Council meetings, committee meetings and sub committee SETTLING IN meetings I can find the following: The Council’s Member Allowance scheme and claim forms Chief Executive’s Office Claim forms should be submitted to: 7 The date that claims forms should be submitted by is: I am a member of the following Council committees or panels: I have been appointed to represent the Council on the following outside bodies: COUNCIL PROVISIONS FOR MEMBERS I have investigated that my Council can Find out how Council takes decisions and provide me with: learn how you can influence them Initially concentrate on areas that you have A Council email address and business an interest in and become knowledgeable cards A computer and mobile phone to carry out in them Council business outside Council hours Take advantage of formal training offered An official photograph by your Council A press-cutting service, if available Keep a copy of the Northern Ireland Administrative support and ongoing IT Local Government Code of Conduct training for Councillors to hand and be aware of its A role profile/Code