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Local Government Policy

Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs)

Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) operate in every city and county council and have brought a particular focus to the policy-making, implementation and review roles of councillors.  Participation with local sectoral interests continues to be facilitated by the allocation of one third of the membership of SPCs to representatives of the community and voluntary, farming, business and trade union sectors in the city/county.  The SPCs thus provide members with the opportunity to develop a greater role in the strategic development of their council.

The chair of each SPC together with the Cathaoirleach/mayor of the local authority forms the Corporate Policy Group (CPG). The role of the CPG is a strategic on; it is intended to link and co-ordinate the work of the different SPCs; and to provide a forum where policy positions affecting the whole council can be discussed and agreed for submission too the full council.  The CPG acts as a mini-cabinet for council business and is supported by the city/county manager.  Its members sit on the County/City Development Board (CDB).

SPCs operate on the basis of revised guidelines, which were issued by the Department following the publication of a Review of the Operation of Strategic Policy Committees (2004).

Local Government Legislation

Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act 2007

The Act provides a statutory basis for the establishment of Business Improvement District Schemes (BIDS) within the functional areas of local authorities.  A BID scheme is an organisational and financing mechanism through which businesses can develop, fund and implement initiatives, in defined areas, to improve those areas for the betterment of the trading environment in which they operate.  A BID company, representative of business and the local authority, is charged with responsibility for implementing the provisions of a BID scheme.

The Act also makes new provision in relation to the functions of audit committees in local authorities; provides for the imposition and collection of new levies applicable to newly constructed properties; and amends section 56 of the Valuation Act 2001 to allow for buoyancy in rates revenue to apply in the year following revaluation by the Valuation Office. A copy of the act is available below.

Local Government Act 2001
The Local Government Act 2001 (No.37 of 2001) was signed by the President on 21st July 2001. It underpinned a programme of local government renewal and introduced a range of reforms to enhance the fundamental democratic nature of local government. It provided a modern statutory framework for the local government system structures, functions and operations and repealed outdated law and terminology. The Act consolidated local government legislation, which was scattered throughout various enactments dating back to the19th century. The Act::

  • enhanced the role of the elected member
  • supported community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy
  • modernised local government legislation, and provided the framework for new financial management systems and other procedures to promote efficiency and effectiveness.

It was brought into operation on a phased basis.