8.—(1) A district council may promote the economic development of its district.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), a district council may for the purposes of the economic development of its district –
(a)make payments; and
(b)acquire, hold and develop land.
(3) The power to acquire land under paragraph (2)(b) includes power to acquire it otherwise than by agreement.
(4) In paragraph (2) “develop”, in relation to land includes –
(a)erect, alter or extend buildings thereon;
(b)carry out works thereon;
(c)provide means of access, services and other facilities for persons using the land;
(d)facilitate the doing of such things by another person;
(e)manage and dispose of the land.
(5) In exercising its powers under this Article a district council shall have regard to any guidance for the time being issued under paragraph (6).
(6) The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment may, after consultation with district councils and other interested bodies or persons, issue guidance as to the exercise by district councils of their powers under this Article.
9.—(1) A district council may –
(a)participate in any relevant community safety partnership;
(b)take action in accordance with any plan prepared by, or proposals agreed by, such a partnership;
(c)accept financial or other support provided by such a partnership; and
(d)generally assist (whether financially or otherwise) and facilitate such a partnership in the exercise of its functions.
(2) The Department may by order confer or impose on district councils other functions relating to the enhancement of community safety in their districts.
(3) No order shall be made under this Article unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the Assembly.
(4) In this Article –
“community safety partnership” means a body established for an area in accordance with the community safety strategy devised by the Secretary of State under section 71 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) (but does not include any body established by an order under section 72(1) of that Act);
“the enhancement of community safety”, in relation to any district, means making the district one in which it is, and is perceived to be, safer to live and work, in particular by the reduction of actual and perceived levels of crime and other anti-social behaviour;
“relevant community safety partnership”, in relation to a district council, means such a partnership established for an area which is, or includes, the district of the council or any part of that district.