Vol. 525 No. 5
294 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether municipal policy committees should be established in towns with urban district councils; and, if so, the reasons in this regard; and if he is in favour of more such committees. [25531/00]
The establishment of municipal policy committees (MPCs) is ultimately a matter for urban authorities themselves. Any such committee should be set up and operated in the same inclusive and transparent manner as strategic policy committees. It would be important in my view that an urban authority should satisfy itself that the committee will enhance policy development in those areas for which the authority has responsibility. Revised guidelines for the establishment and operation of strategic policy committees and MPCs issued in August 1999 and I am arranging for a copy to be sent to the Deputy. The Local Government Bill, 2000, will, when enacted, provide the legal framework for local authority committees and community linkage generally.
