The Local Government (Boundaries) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

Local Government Boundaries Commissioner

4.  –

(1) For section 50 of the principal Act substitute—

“50.    Local government boundaries

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(1) The Department shall appoint a Local Government Boundaries Commissioner—

(a) in the year 2006; and

(b) thereafter, during the period not less than 8 or more than 12 years from the date of the submission under subsection (6) of the final report of the last previous Commissioner appointed under this subsection.

(2) The function of a Commissioner appointed under subsection (1)(a) shall be to make recommendations regarding—

(a) the boundaries and names of the 7 districts mentioned in Article 3 of the Local Government (Boundaries) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006; and

(b) the number, boundaries and names of the wards into which each district is to be divided.

(3) The function of a Commissioner appointed under subsection (1)(b) shall be to review, and make recommendations regarding —

(a) the number, boundaries and names of local government districts; and

(b) the number, boundaries and names of the wards into which each district is divided.

(4) Where, at a time when no Commissioner stands appointed under subsection (1)–

(a) proposals are made to the Department by a council–

(i) for altering the boundaries of the district of that council, or

(ii) for altering the number of wards into which that district is divided or the boundaries of any of those wards;

(b) proposals are made to the Department by more than one council for the union of the districts of those councils; or

(c) the Department has itself prepared any such proposal as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b),

the Department may appoint a Local Government Boundaries Commissioner to consider the proposals and make recommendations.

(5) Part I of Schedule 4 shall have effect with respect to a Local Government Boundaries Commissioner, and such a Commissioner shall—

(a) regulate his procedure in accordance with Part II of that Schedule; and

(b) make his recommendations in accordance with Part III of that Schedule.

(6) A Local Government Boundaries Commissioner appointed under subsection (1) or (4) shall submit a final report to the Department within such period as the Department may direct.

(7) As soon as may be after a Commissioner appointed under subsection (1)(a) submits his final report, the Department shall lay the report before the Assembly together with the draft of an order to give effect, whether with or without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the report.

(8) If the report of a Commissioner appointed under subsection (1)(b) or (4) recommends any alteration in the number, boundaries or names of any districts or wards, the Department shall, as soon as may be after receiving the report, lay the report before the Assembly together with the draft of an order to give effect, whether with or without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the report.

(9) Where a draft order to be laid before the Assembly under subsection (7) or (8) proposes to give effect to recommendations of a Commissioner with modifications, the Department shall lay before the Assembly, together with the draft order, a statement of the reasons for the modifications.

(10) On the approval of the draft order by a resolution of the Assembly, the Department shall make an order in terms of the draft as so approved.”.

(2) For Schedule 4 to the principal Act substitute the Schedule set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.