Explanatory note

This Order brings into operation sections 1 and 3(1) of the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, which establish the 11 new local government districts. As a consequence, the 11 new councils are established under the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.

Sections 1 and 3(1) of the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 are brought into operation for the purposes of holding the elections and other purposes detailed in the remainder of this note.

Articles 2 and 3 bring the new local government districts into operation for the purposes of holding the next local election and apply sections 3 (qualifications), 4 (disqualifications) and 6 (penalties) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 in respect of that election.

Article 4 provides for the coming into operation of sections 1 and 3(1) of the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 in respect of certain provisions of the Local Government Finance Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 in relation to new councils.

Article 4(2) of this Order provides that the coming into operation of sections 1 and 3(1) of the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 under Article 4(1) does not have effect in relation to an existing council in so far as Article 4(1) relates to sections 1 (duty to make arrangements) and 3(3) (annual budget) of the Local Government Finance Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Article 5 brings sections 1 and 3 of the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 into operation for all other purposes on 1st April 2015.

Article 5(2) of this Order provides that the coming into operation of sections 1 and 3 of the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 under Article 5(1) does not have effect in relation to orders made under Article 3(1) (county courts to be held for divisions) of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 and Article 11(2) (petty sessions and petty sessions districts) of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.