Vol. 572 No. 3
506 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government his views on the key roles and functions of local government; and if he has plans to devolve additional powers to local authorities. [22969/03]
Local authorities are independent bodies, democratically elected and accountable to their local electorate and are responsible for an extensive range of functions. The past few years have seen a major local government modernisation programme with constitutional recognition and guaranteed local elections; record levels of funding; strengthened political and management structures; an updated legal framework and an efficiency agenda focused on improved financial management, IT, human resources, corporate planning and customer service. Earlier this year legislation was enacted to end the dual mandate and a major independent study to identify future funding options for local government is now being commissioned.
A key element of the modernisation process is the continued development of the county and city development board system. This gives local authorities a central role in bringing together at local level the various public agencies, social partners and local development bodies and in developing, overseeing and monitoring an integrated strategy for the economic, social and cultural development of their areas.
It is my aim, over the lifetime of the Government, to build on progress to date and to carry forward a significant change agenda for local government including a wider role, improved effectiveness and efficiency and proper democratic input.
