07 January 2005
Northern Ireland's district councils should be given a general power of competence, according to a report on the public health function in the province. The study was commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
These proposals could be examined alongside those for widespread reform of Northern Ireland's district councils being considered by the Review of Public Administration.
A new RPA study comparing Scotland and Northern Ireland's public sectors found that while Scottish local authorities control 36.6% of public expenditure, Northern Ireland's district councils are responsible for just 3.4%.
PFjan2005
