27 August 1998 Edition
Fears for 6-county rate hike
As the spectre of the Assembly looms large on the horizon, NIO civil servants are busy considering options for the new chamber to vote on in order establish new arrangements for the way the Six Counties are governed. These include massive increases in business and residential rates and scrapping the industrial exemption incentive scheme in order to increase from £450 million the rates contribution towards the £2 billion cost of local government services.
Among other options considered by civil servants is the creation of new departments to replace the existing quangos, trusts and boards, and making ministers directly responsible for housing, education and health. The move towards making local politicians more accountable will hopefully allow Sinn Féin to grasp the initiative in creating policy and taking decisions to tackle social exclusion and the inequality that has been at the root of the conflict in the Six Counties.
Another is the slashing of the number of councils, an area where Sinn Féin has a considerable base, from 26 to 7.
Among other options considered by civil servants is the creation of new departments to replace the existing quangos, trusts and boards, and making ministers directly responsible for housing, education and health. The move towards making local politicians more accountable will hopefully allow Sinn Féin to grasp the initiative in creating policy and taking decisions to tackle social exclusion and the inequality that has been at the root of the conflict in the Six Counties.
Another is the slashing of the number of councils, an area where Sinn Féin has a considerable base, from 26 to 7.