Transfer of powers

A summary of the powers available to the new councils from next April.

Existing responsibilities

• Arts and entertainment

• Building control

• Burial grounds

• Community relations

• Dog control

• Environmental health

• Leisure and recreation

• Parks and green spaces

• Small harbours

• Street cleaning

• Waste management

New responsibilities

(listed by current authority)

Department of the Environment

• Local development planning

• Development control

• Enforcement

• Nominating buildings for spot-listing

• Listing buildings of architectural and/or historic interest

Department for Social Development

• Urban regeneration

• Community development programmes

• Environmental improvement schemes

• Area-based regeneration (e.g. Neighbourhood Renewal)

Housing Executive

• Registration of houses in multiple occupation

• Housing unfitness (including repair and demolition notices)

Invest NI

• Local economic development

• Enterprise shows

• Youth and female entrepreneurship

• Social entrepreneurship

• Supporting women in business

Northern Ireland Tourist Board

• Business start-up advice

• Small scale tourism accommodation development

• Advice to developers on tourism policy

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

• Water recreational facilities

• Sports policy (more input for local government in decision-making)

• Armagh County Museum (to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon)

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

• Delivery of Rural Development Programme

• Donaghadee Harbour

(to North Down and Ards)

Department for Regional Development

• Off-street parking (excluding park-and-ride facilities)