Public Authorities Reform
Public Authorities Reform legislation arises out ofdecisions by Peter Hain, then Secretary of State, to make changes to a number of small public bodies through dissolution of the bodiesconcerned and, where appropriate,transfer of the body'sfunctions. The legislation, as originally drafted, also removedstatutory representation and consultation rights in relation to appointments to the boards ofa number of bodies.A public consultation on the legislation was carried out from 24 January 2007 to 20 April 2007 to which 22 responses were received.The consultation document and responses arepublished below and the officialresponse to the consultation exercise will follow.Having considered the consultation responses the Bill, as agreed by the Executive,contains the following provisions:
- Abolition of the Fisheries Conservancy Boardand transfer of its functions to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
- Abolition of the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board.
- Repeal of primary legislation that is no longer required following the dissolution of Enterprise Ulster, the Pig Production Development Committee and the Laganside Corporation.
The Bill was introduced to the Assembly on 17 June 2008 and the table of Executive Bills within the Legislation Section of the Northern Ireland Assembly website shows the Bill's progress along with the progress of other Bills included in the Executive Legislative Programme for 2008-2009. The Explanatory and Financial Memorandum provides information on the background to the Bill and both it and the Bill itself can be accessed by clicking on the Bill's title within the "Executive Bills" table. The Legislation Section of the Northern Ireland Assembly site can be accessed at http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/legislation/primary/assleg08.htm
Responses
Access Omagh District Coucils response to the Consultation on Draft Primary Legislation (PDF 113 KB)
Access Ards Borough Councils response to the Consultation on Draft Primary Legislation (PDF 65.8 KB)
Access Lisburn City Councils response to the Consultation on Draft Primary Legislation (PDF 51.9 KB)
