Local Government and Democracy

Local Government Reform

Sinn Féin is calling for:

A major transformation of local government including increased councillors’ powers to include appropriate local control over the provision of services including greater local control over budgets and financing of local government, including the ability to collect tax revenue.

Restore or increase councillors’ prior powers over planning, housing, transportation and waste management and correspondingly limit Managers’ powers.

Reform the structure of local government to make it more accountable – including directly elected Chairs and Mayors who would assume many aspects of the council management oversight role.

Review the powers and functions of Regional Assemblies  and Regional Authorities  and introduce direct elections to these bodies.  Empower them to develop, implement and oversee coordinated regional policies.

Build towards Irish Unity by increasing local, regional and cross-border coordination and integration of council work in development planning and service provision.

Local Government Finance

Demand the accountable, efficient and effective spending of local authority finances.

Adjust local service and procurement contracts to create a level pitch for local businesses by breaking tenders into segments, allowing smaller contractors to efficiently tender.

Oppose privatisation of local authority services and the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Call for a review of the expenses regime for councillors and Committee Chairs to eliminate excess and abuse and subject claims to strict limits and scrutiny.

Oppose the imposition of double taxation through new service charges or user fees for essential public services.