Local government elections in North delayed for a year

The next local government elections in the North are being delayed a year until 2011, it was confirmed tonight.

Legislation to enable the delay has completed the Parliamentary process, Northern Minister Paul Goggins said.

The delay followed a request in April 2008 from former Stormont Minister Arlene Foster to allow the election to reflect the new 11 council local government structure being established under the Review of Public Administration.

Mr Goggins said: “Government is committed to doing everything it can to facilitate local politicians working together in local government for the people of Northern Ireland.”

He added: “A decision to delay elections is never taken lightly, but Parliament’s decision to delay the next local elections until 2011 makes practical sense and it will ensure the smooth transition and bedding in of the reduction of 26 councils to 11 local councils.”