8 November 2000

SAM FOSTER MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF BELFAST CITY COUNCIL

Sam Foster, MLA, Minister of the Environment, today met with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, the Deputy Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive of Belfast City Council.

The meeting marked the start of the Minister's ongoing programme of contact with all 26 district councils over the coming months.

The agenda focussed on a number of current issues, including the draft programme for Government and the reviews of local government and planning service processes.

The Minister said: "As part of the wider review of public administration a review team will be established to prepare a consultation paper on local government by April 2001. The consultation process should include political parties, local councils and other interested groups."

Referring to the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan, he said: "Planning Service is committed to start work on a plan for the Belfast Metropolitan Area within the next few months. The plan will cover six district council areas, namely, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and North Down."

 

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