THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Local Councils now major players in Northern Ireland’ s Economic Drive
Ahead of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association’ s annual conference next month, its Chief Executive, Derek McCallan, says that our councils are well placed to drive business growth and entrepreneurship locally and internationally.
T
he 11 councils here in Northern Ireland are dynamic hubs of public service delivery and economic development. Councils are so much more than the administrators of bins, births and burials. Collectively they spend around £ 1billion annually in our economy with an aspiration and ambition to do so much more.
Economic and sustainable development can have a truly transformative effect on people and places. It is our councils who are best positioned to understand current need and future requirements in their specific areas. Working collectively, they can significantly contribute to the prosperity of Northern Ireland.
All councils are driving forward with major social, business and government partners their Community and Growth Plans which focus on specific needs. It’ s integration in practice, not theory. On top of this, it is clear to see that within all 11 councils, there is fervent and professional ambition to attract business from beyond Northern Ireland.
Councils Driving Local Economies
As the political impasse continues, the need for local councils to play a bigger role in investment and infrastructure is growing. Previously the plaudits for bringing jobs and investment into Northern Ireland was always the preserve of the likes of the Department for the Economy. The collapse of the Executive and protracted talks at Stormont are starting to clearly show the crucial role that local councils play.
There is now an energy and determination amongst the councils to showcase what they have to offer to indigenous and international investors. Their energy and positive attitude is assisting them in standing out from the crowd which includes other regions across these islands.
As we move forward, the councils have a compelling proposition, but there is still more that can be done to support them. It is ludicrous that we still do not have the power of regeneration as it has a vital role in developing spaces and places that attracts entrepreneurs and enterprises with employees who want to work and live in areas that reflect their lifestyles. We don’ t want to take power away; we want to have the same powers so that we are not put at a competitive disadvantage.
Brexit As Brexit looms large, we are still no clearer
44 www. businessfirstonline. co. uk on how the new order, in whatever shape or form, will be a help or a hindrance. The success of business and economic development needs a certain level of predictability. So far, we are just not seeing that from the British government.
As Scotland and Wales move forward with material proposals on Brexit and a politically governed Programme for Government and budget, we are being left behind. Instead, our affairs are being nursed by civil servants, which is a fact not a criticism.
Councils were proposed as being crucial to this piece before the Assembly collapsed. It’ s time that they are given real powers and real resources to do what they do in all neighbouring areas, as well as solve this widening democratic gap before we are faced with a real mess. NILGA is working with all councils and industry partners on driving our economy and getting policy influence on Brexit. We have raised these issues in London with Brexit Minister Steve Baker MP and continue to engage.
Upcoming Conference – Local Enterprise, Global Reach
Next month the NILGA annual conference will set out the stall for the role of councils in economic and sustainable development like never before. The proposition of our member councils and their confidence in seeking inward investment, assisting growing businesses and helping to create jobs is crystal clear.
Councils and local economies are increasingly at the forefront of investment and enterprise in Northern Ireland. With the increased services, functions and responsibilities of the 11 councils, significant global opportunities are now available to transform the local government sector and with it the communities we serve. This is a key event in the business calendar with around 150 elected representatives, officials, delegates and business leaders attending to share knowledge, skills and ideas. We hope to see you there. A range of sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available for the conference on 12 October. For more information log on to www. nilga. org