NILGA

NILGA's website address is www.nilga.org

A new body based on cross-party association and called the Northern Ireland Local Government Association was launched on 2 October 2001. By March 2002 all 26 local authorities had become members. This new organisation has a total membership of 157 members from all the 26 councils and representing all the political parties. It has an executive committee comprising of 28 general members, 4 office bearers – a President and 3 Vice Presidents, and 3 Council Chief Executives (Advisors). With the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) as its Advisory Committee, it holds quarterly meetings and has an initial budget of £200,000.

NILGA Objectives:

1. To represent the interests of member authorities to government departments, parliament, international institutions and other bodies.
2. To formulate sound policies for
   • the development of local government;
   • effective management within local authorities; and
   • the enhancement of local democratic processes within Northern Ireland.
3. To provide a forum for the discussion of matters of concern to member authorities and a means whereby joint views may be formulated and expressed.
4. To represent the interests of local authorities as employers; to appoint elected representatives and officers (as appropriate) to the employers’ sides of joint negotiating machinery; and to participate in the Social Dialogue and similar European activities.
5. To provide a range of cost-effective services to local authorities in accordance with their wishes, including the dissemination of accurate and timeous information on all local government and other relevant issues and the provision of training for councillors.
6. To promote the policies of the Association by providing information on local government issues to the public, the media and outside organisations.
7. To provide advice and assistance upon request to any local authority, or association of local authorities outside the United Kingdom particularly in respect of training for elected representatives or staff in developing countries.
8. To ensure that members of all political parties in Northern Ireland are accorded the opportunity to contribute to the Association’s activities and to the development of policies which represent, as far as possible, consensus between parties.
9. To provide office accommodation, administrative support and secretarial services for (i) any association or party political grouping of elected councillors; or (ii) any professional association of senior local government officers; in return in each case for financial contribution or the provision of services.

NILGA Office Bearers

President:
Ald Arnold Hatch
Vice Presidents:
Cllr Helen Quigley
Cllr John Mathews
Cllr Sean McPeake
Cllr Peter Weir MLA

Key Points

• Currently 26 Councils in membership
• Executive committee made up of 32 Councillors plus 3 advisors (Mr R Gilmore, Mr M Rankin, Mr M McGuckin)
• SoLACE acts as an Advisory Group
• Appointments must be made to outside bodies by Executive Committee using the d’Hondt system