22 March 2005
LOCAL IDENTITY RESEARCH PUBLISHED BY THE REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
The Review of Public Administration has today published two research reports on local identity.
The first report provides findings from a series of focus group discussions with the general public including some Section 75 categories and a series of structured interviews with elected representatives. The second report is a bulletin summarising the findings from a representative omnibus survey of the general public.
The aim of the first piece of research was to provide an analysis of views and experiences of the people of Northern Ireland and their elected representatives on what they understand the relative importance of local identity is in a system of public administration.
The researchers, using the same set of questions, held a total of 32 focus group discussions with people reflective of the Northern Ireland population. One focus group was held in each of the 26 council areas and a further six with Section 75 groups. Forty-six elected representatives from a cross section of political parties across Northern Ireland were interviewed. Issues covered included geographical identity, wider community identity, participation in local community life, and local governance including their views on the future number of councils.
The following is a summary of the key findings:
The views of the general public, the Section 75 groups and the elected representatives were similar across all issues. Generally, people identified with local areas in which the people and places were familiar and not their council area. Those who participated in local community life had a stronger sense of local identity and it was clear that people recognized that the limited range of powers that local councils have could also limit participation in local life. People felt that fewer councils with an enhanced range of services could have a positive impact on local identity provided that the range of powers were significant and services were delivered in a fair, consistent and responsible way.
There was also almost unanimous agreement that access to councillors is very important, people wanted more of a say in decisions, better access to councillors and information about what councils and councillors do.
The research showed that people were more concerned about service quality than local identity. They said that they were not prepared to pay more for the maintenance of local identity if it affected delivery of service. There was widespread support for fewer councils and councillors and although elected representatives were concerned about the impact that this would have on local identity the general public were much less concerned. Most people thought that there should be between eight and 13 councils, while elected representatives suggested numbers ranging between eight and 26.
The aim of the second piece of research was to gather information on views on local identity that were representative of the general population in Northern Ireland and to complement the qualitative focus group discussions and structured interviews.
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) interviewed a representative sample of 1182 people across Northern Ireland asking a range of questions on local identity and local government including questions on a sense of belonging to specific areas, level of involvement in communities, knowledge and views of local councils and the services they provide and issues that should be addressed in any future reorganization of local government.
The following is a summary of the main findings:
More people had a stronger sense of belonging to their neighbourhood or village (80%) and to their nearest town (73%) than their council (48%) or their parliamentary constituency (32%). Those who had some involvement in local activities had a stronger sense of belonging including a stronger sense of identity with their council and parliamentary constituency boundaries.
Most people (67%) said that they knew nothing at all or not very much about local councils and the services that they provide. However, almost half (48%) said that they would like to know what councils do, but are happy to let them get on with their jobs.
When asked about the priority issues that should be taken into account if there were to be fewer councils with more responsibility, around two-thirds (66%) of people place quality of service first followed closely by cost/value for money for services, being accountable to local people, responding to local people's wishes and ease of contacting the council.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. These research reports are available on the Review of Public Administration web-site http://www.rpani.gov.uk.
2. The Review of Public Administration was formally established by the Northern Ireland Executive in June 2002.
3. Its terms of reference are:
"In line with the political agreement of 18 December 1998, which sets out policy responsibilities, and reflecting the Executive's vision as described in the Programme for Government, to review the existing arrangements for the accountability, development, administration and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland, and to bring forward options for reform which are consistent with the arrangements and principles of the Belfast Agreement, within an appropriate framework of political and financial accountability."
4. For Media Enquiries contact Aine Gaughran on 028 9027 7606/07717 732079.
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