Local government powers and functions

Councils have a wide range of powers and duties. These include direct, representative and consultative functions.

Powers and duties

All Northern Ireland councils work within the powers conferred (bestowed) on them by various pieces of legislation. They also have certain added ceremonial functions. For example, they can confer freedom of the city or borough on distinguished people.

District council functions can be divided into three areas:

direct
representative
consultative

Direct functions

Direct functions enable councils to provide a wide range of public services in areas such as:

recreation
environmental health
waste management
street cleansing
tourism
economic development
consumer protection
the enforcement of building regulations
litter prevention
provision of cemeteries
the issuing of miscellaneous licences
dog control

Representative functions

Representative functions permit councils to nominate representatives to sit as members of various statutory bodies established to administer regional services such as:

education and library services
health and social services
drainage services
fire protection

Consultative functions

Consultative functions allow councils to represent the views of their population on the way in which regional services are operated throughout each district. This consultative role covers functions such as:

planning
roads
water
conservation

These are centrally administered but where there is an obligation - either by statute or by voluntary agreement - district councils will be consulted about proposals affecting their area.