Background and Policy Objectives
4.The Order will make the following changes to the legal and regulatory framework pertaining to district councils in Northern Ireland:
extending the powers of local government auditors;
providing a statutory basis for councils to carry out emergency planning;
amending the Litter (NI) Order 1994 to allow councils to retain receipts from fixed penalties that are levied for littering and dog-fouling;
giving councils powers to regulate businesses carrying on cosmetic piercing and semi-permanent skin-colouring;
amending section 115(2) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (c.9) to allow the amounts councils can spend on special purposes to be varied, by means of subordinate legislation;
enabling the Department to make provision, by order, conferring on councils the power to provide indemnities to their members and officers; and
amending the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (NI 10) to provide that regulations made under Article 9 of that Order may require the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee to prepare its financial statements in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel.