6.In June 2003, the Cabinet Office published a consultation document on a draft Civil Contingencies Bill (CCB). At the same time in NI, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) published a consultation document on local issues arising from the CCB proposals. In response, local government bodies highlighted that, unlike the situation in GB, NI district councils had no statutory power to prepare for, or to respond to, local emergencies.
7.Following the consultation, the Northern Ireland Office and OFMDFM issued a joint report indicating that an early opportunity would be taken by the Department of the Environment to bring forward legislation on the role of district councils in civil protection.