The Northern Ireland Executive has announced their decision to create 11 new councils.

Environment Minister Arlene Foster revealed the key decisions on the future shape of local government after a vote at Stormont yesterday.

The current 26-council system dates back to the 1970s but was first tipped for change after Review of Public Administration (RPA) recommended the largest reform in local government for over three decades. The then Secretary of State, Peter Hain, fixed on cutting back from 26 to just seven 'super' councils.

Sinn Fein initially supported the plan but the main unionist parties felt that opting for seven super councils would lead to the loss of local identity and preferred the option of a 15 council model.

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A compromise of 11 councils was reached after the Executive vote was passed by seven votes to two. The two Ulster Unionist Ministers opposed the proposal.

Speaking after the meeting yesterday, the Minister said: "Our vision for local government is of a strong, dynamic local government creating communities that are vibrant, healthy, prosperous, safe and sustainable and have the needs of all citizens at their core. Critical to the delivery of services that are linked with local peoples' needs and ambitions will be the introduction of a statute-based council-led community planning process.

"In order for local government to fulfil its role as leader and shaper of communities, a range of functions will be transferred to the new local councils. These include aspects of planning, as well as rural development, the public realm aspects of local roads functions, urban regeneration and community development, a range of housing related functions, and local economic development and tourism."

The Minister added: "The decisions we agreed at the Executive meeting this afternoon represent a firm foundation for the development of stronger local government that will deliver a broader range of services for all our citizens."

(VB)