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Local government in Northern Ireland

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Northern Ireland in the UK
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Local government

Local government in Northern Ireland is divided among 11 single-tier districts known as 'Local Government Districts' (abbreviated LGDs) and formerly known as district council areas (DCAs).[1] Councils in Northern Ireland do not carry out the same range of functions as those in the rest of the United Kingdom; for example they have no responsibility for education, road-building or housing (although they do nominate members to the advisory Northern Ireland Housing Council). Their functions include planning, waste and recycling services, leisure and community services, building control and local economic and cultural development. The collection of rates is handled centrally by the Land and Property Services agency of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Local government districts

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See also: List of districts in Northern Ireland by religion or religion brought up in and List of districts in Northern Ireland by national identity

Local Government Districts (2012)

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The 11 districts first had their boundaries determined in 2012. Elections were held to the new councils in 2014, and they assumed the powers of the previous councils in 2015.[1] Basic geographical statistics are shown below. Previously (between 1972 and 2015) the country was divided into 26 smaller districts.

Council and district Type Population of largest settlement (2021)[2] Population of district (2022)[3] Density (/km2) Density (/mi2) Area (km2) Area (mi2) Councillors No. on map
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (district) District, borough 67,112 -Newtownabbey 146,148 256 660 571 220 40 3
Ards and North Down Borough Council (district) District, borough 64,122 - Bangor 164,223 358 930 458 177 40 2
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (district) District, borough 72,721 -Craigavon 220,271 165 430 1,332 514 41 6
Belfast City Council District, borough, city (1888) 291,386 - Belfast 348,005 2,617 6,780 133 51 60 1
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council (district) District, borough 24,560 - Coleraine 141,316 71 180 1,980 760 40 8
Derry City and Strabane District Council (district) District, borough 84,884 - Derry 150,836 122 320 1,237 478 40 10
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (district) District 20,353 - Omagh 116,994 41 110 2,836 1,095 40 11
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (district) District, borough, city (2002) 51,447 - Lisburn 149,915 298 770 504 195 40 4
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (district) District, borough 31,308 - Ballymena 139,200 133 340 1,045 403 40 7
Mid Ulster District Council (district) District 16,361 - Dungannon 151,001 83 210 1,823 704 40 9
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (district) District 28,026 - Newry 182,634 112 290 1,628 629 41 5

District Electoral Areas (2012)

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Each of the 11 councils is divided into 7 District Electoral Areas (DEAs), with the exception of Belfast, which has 10 DEAs. Each DEA, in turn, is made up of 5, 6 or 7 wards, with the number of councillors for each DEA equal to the number of wards.

There are 80 DEAs in Northern Ireland in total, and the current DEA boundaries were finalised in 2012, and first used in the 2014 election, with the new councils coming into operation in May 2015. Prior to this, the 1993 election was the last time local government boundaries had been redrawn - between 1993 and 2011, there were 102 DEAs across the old 26 councils, with each council having between 3 and 9 DEAs each.[4]

By definition, DEAs nest exactly within the 11 Local Government Districts. However, they do not nest within the parliamentary constituencies - for example, the DEAs of Newry, Slieve Gullion and Cusher all fall entirely within the Newry and Armagh constituency, but the Armagh DEA does not - one of its wards, Blackwatertown, falls within the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency instead. This means there is no exact comparison of local government election results with Assembly/Westminster results.

The following combinations of 2012 DEAs each have an area which matches exactly with some combination of 1993 DEAs, allowing direct comparisons of election results in the combined areas from before and after 2012.

However, comparisons are possible between combinations of 2012 DEAs, and combinations of DEAs/LGDs from before 2014. For example, the total election results in the Limavady and Benbradagh DEAs from 2014 can be compared with the results of the whole Limavady borough from 2011, as both cover the same area. Similar comparisons are as follows:

Combinations of 2012 DEAs with exactly the same area as combinations of 1993 DEAs/LGDs
Combination of 2012 DEAs Combination of 1993 DEAs/LGDs
Ballyarnett, Foyleside and The Moor DEAs exactly match the area of Cityside, Northland and Shantallow DEAs
Limavady and Benbradagh DEAs exactly match the area of Limavady LGD
Enniskillen and Erne North DEAs exactly match the area of Enniskillen and Erne North DEAs
Erne West DEA exactly matches the area of Erne West DEA
Derg, Faughan, Sperrin and Waterside DEAs exactly match the area of Strabane LGD, Rural and Waterside DEAs
Bann, Ballymoney, Causeway, Coleraine, The Glens DEAs exactly match the area of Ballymoney, Coleraine and Moyle LGDs
the remaining DEAs of Northern Ireland exactly match the area of the remaining DEAs/LGDs of Northern Ireland

Note that Erne West is the only DEA in Northern Ireland whose boundaries were completely unchanged between 1993 and 2012.

The 80 DEAs are the most granular unit of elected representation, thus providing a more localised indicator of voting preferences than the results in the larger parliamentary constituencies.

Under STV, each DEA is a multi-member district, electing 5, 6 or 7 councillors, with all councillors representing the entire DEA. Wards do not have elected representation in their own right, and no election results at ward level are officially recorded or published, besides turnout levels at individual polling stations.

The below map shows each DEA numbered, with the 2012 Local Government Districts in bold. The inset map shows DEAs in the districts of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Belfast, and Lisburn and Castlereagh.

No on map District Electoral Area (2012) Local Government District (2012) No. of Wards/Cllrs Wards DEA population (2022)[5] Density (/km2)[6] Density (/mi2) Area (km2) Area (mi2)
1 Airport Antrim and Newtownabbey 5 Aldergrove, Clady, Crumlin, Mallusk, Templepatrick 22,029 107.06 277.29 205.76 79.44
2 Antrim Antrim and Newtownabbey 6 Antrim Centre, Fountain Hill, Greystone, Springfarm, Steeple, Stiles 23,950 1,224.12 3,170.47 19.57 7.55
3 Ards Peninsula Ards and North Down 6 Ballywalter, Carrowdore, Kircubbin, Loughries, Portaferry, Portavogie 24,964 118.63 307.26 210.43 81.25
4 Armagh Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 6 Blackwatertown, Cathedral, Demesne, Keady, Navan, The Mall 32,405 116.88 302.71 277.26 107.05
5 Ballyarnett Derry and Strabane 6 Carn Hill, Culmore, Galliagh, Shantallow, Shantallow East, Skeoge 25,252 1,303.60 3,376.30 19.37 7.48
6 Ballyclare Antrim and Newtownabbey 5 Ballyclare East, Ballyclare West, Ballynure, Ballyrobert, Doagh 19,069 244.58 633.45 77.97 30.10
7 Ballymena Mid and East Antrim 7 Academy, Ardeevin, Ballykeel, Braidwater, Castle Demesne, Fair Green, Park 24,295 1,827.30 4,732.68 13.30 5.13
8 Ballymoney Causeway Coast and Glens 7 Ballymoney East, Ballymoney North, Ballymoney South, Clogh Mills, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Route 24,519 104.47 270.57 234.70 90.62
9 Balmoral Belfast 5 Belvoir, Finaghy, Malone, Musgrave, Upper Malone 24,491 1,516.73 3,928.32 16.15 6.23
10 Banbridge Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 7 Banbridge East, Banbridge North, Banbridge South, Banbridge West, Gilford, Loughbrickland, Rathfriland 34,940 151.17 391.53 231.13 89.24
11 Bangor Central Ards and North Down 6 Ballygrainey, Ballyholme, Bloomfield, Broadway, Castle, Harbour 26,637 1,879.50 4,867.88 14.17 5.47
12 Bangor East and Donaghadee Ards and North Down 6 Ballycrochan, Ballymagee, Donaghadee, Groomsport, Silverbirch, Warren 22,850 701.73 1,817.48 32.56 12.57
13 Bangor West Ards and North Down 5 Bryansburn, Kilcooley, Rathgael, Rathmore, Silverstream 19,517 3,485.05 9,026.25 5.60 216
14 Bann Causeway Coast and Glens 5 Aghadowey, Castlerock, Garvagh, Kilrea, Macosquin 17,535 48.53 125.70 361.31 139.50
15 Bannside Mid and East Antrim 6 Ahoghill, Cullybackey, Galgorm, Grange, Maine, Portglenone 19,842 110.96 287.39 178.82 69.04
16 Benbradagh Causeway Coast and Glens 5 Altahullion, Ballykelly, Dungiven, Feeny, Greysteel 17,818 45.41 117.61 392.40 151.50
17 Black Mountain Belfast 7 Andersonstown, Ballymurphy, Beechmount, Collin Glen, Falls Park, Shaw's Road, Turf Lodge 35,880 1,935.76 5,013.58 18.54 7.16
18 Botanic Belfast 5 Blackstaff, Central, Ormeau, Stranmillis, Windsor 49,727 4,653.21 12,051.76 10.69 4.13
19 Braid Mid and East Antrim 7 Ballee and Harryville, Broughshane, Glenravel, Glenwhirry, Kells, Kirkinriola, Slemish 23,826 49.32 127.74 483.07 186.51
20 Carntogher Mid Ulster 5 Lower Glenshane, Maghera, Swatragh, Tamlaght O'Crilly, Valley 17,167 65.61 169.94 261.64 101.02
21 Carrick Castle Mid and East Antrim 5 Boneybefore, Castle, Kilroot, Love Lane, Victoria 18,430 759.56 1,967.26 24.26 9.37
22 Castle Belfast 6 Bellevue, Cavehill, Chichester Park, Duncairn, Fortwilliam, Innisfayle 33,677 1,739.48 4,505.23 19.36 7.48
23 Castlereagh East Lisburn and Castlereagh 6 Ballyhanwood, Carrowreagh, Dundonald, Enler, Graham's Bridge, Moneyreagh 21,899 460.07 1,191.57 47.60 18.38
24 Castlereagh South Lisburn and Castlereagh 7 Beechill, Cairnshill, Carryduff East, Carryduff West, Galwally, Knockbracken, Newtownbreda 23,488 905.99 2,346.52 25.93 10.01
25 Causeway Causeway Coast and Glens 7 Atlantic, Dervock, Dundooan, Giant's Causeway, Hopefield, Portrush and Dunluce, Portstewart 24,542 95.15 246.43 257.93 99.59
26 Clogher Valley Mid Ulster 6 Augher and Clogher, Aughnacloy, Ballygawley, Caledon, Castlecaulfield, Fivemiletown 21,997 40.38 104.58 544.76 210.33
27 Coast Road Mid and East Antrim 5 Cairncastle, Carnlough and Glenarm, Craigyhill, Gardenmore, The Maidens 17,005 115.19 298.33 147.63 57.00
28 Coleraine Causeway Coast and Glens 6 Churchland, Mountsandel, Quarry, University, Waterside, Windy Hall 23,625 1,675.66 4,339.95 14.10 5.44
29 Collin Belfast 6 Dunmurry, Ladybrook, Lagmore, Poleglass, Stewartstown, Twinbrook 33,909 3,198.18 8,283.24 10.60 4.09
30 Comber Ards and North Down 5 Ballygowan, Comber North, Comber South, Comber West, Killinchy 19,487 176.04 455.94 110.70 42.74
31 Cookstown Mid Ulster 7 Coagh, Cookstown East, Cookstown South, Cookstown West, Loughry, Oaklands, Pomeroy 24,617 92.06 238.43 267.41 103.25
32 Court Belfast 6 Ballygomartin, Clonard, Falls, Forth River, Shankill, Woodvale 33,475 3,063.12 7,933.44 10.93 4.22
33 Craigavon Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 5 Bleary, Brownlow, Craigavon Centre, Derrytrasna, Kernan 29,188 404.67 1,048.09 72.13 27.85
34 Crotlieve Newry, Mourne and Down 6 Burren, Derryleckagh, Hilltown, Mayobridge, Rostrevor, Warrenpoint 28,668 117.58 304.53 243.82 94.14
35 Cusher Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 5 Hamiltonsbawn, Markethill, Richhill, Seagahan, Tandragee 26,195 80.50 208.48 325.42 125.65
36 Derg Derry and Strabane 5 Castlederg, Finn, Glenderg, Newtownstewart, Sion Mills 17,809 45.79 118.58 388.96 150.18
37 Downpatrick Newry, Mourne and Down 5 Cathedral, Knocknashinna, Lecale, Quoile, Strangford 21,916 119.99 310.78 182.64 70.52
38 Downshire East Lisburn and Castlereagh 5 Ballymacbrennan, Dromara, Drumbo, Hillhall, Ravernet 16,746 111.01 287.52 150.85 58.24
39 Downshire West Lisburn and Castlereagh 5 Blaris, Hillsborough, Lagan, Maze, Moira 17,190 174.66 452.36 98.42 38.00
40 Dungannon Mid Ulster 6 Ballysaggart, Killyman, Killymeal, Moy, Moygashel, Mullaghmore 25,640 272.47 705.71 94.10 36.33
41 Dunsilly Antrim and Newtownabbey 5 Cranfield, Parkgate, Randalstown, Shilvodan, Toome 17,997 77.79 201.46 231.37 89.33
42 Enniskillen Fermanagh and Omagh 6 Castlecoole, Erne, Lisbellaw, Lisnarrick, Portora, Rossorry 18,451 144.43 374.08 127.75 49.32
43 Erne East Fermanagh and Omagh 6 Brookeborough, Donagh, Lisnaskea, Maguiresbridge, Newtownbutler, Rosslea 15,944 32.46 84.07 491.21 189.66
44 Erne North Fermanagh and Omagh 5 Ballinamallard, Belleek and Boa, Ederney and Kesh, Irvinestown, Tempo 15,083 38.82 100.56 388.49 150.00
45 Erne West Fermanagh and Omagh 5 Belcoo and Garrison, Boho, Cleenish and Letterbreen, Derrygonnelly, Derrylin, Florence Court and Kinawley 14,661 20.20 52.33 725.63 280.17
46 Faughan Derry and Strabane 5 Claudy, Eglinton, Enagh, New Buildings, Slievekirk 19,234 87.99 227.90 218.59 84.40
47 Foyleside Derry and Strabane 5 Ballymagroarty, Foyle Springs, Madam's Bank, Northland, Springtown 17,568 1,562.52 4,046.90 11.24 4.34
48 Glengormley Urban Antrim and Newtownabbey 7 Ballyhenry, Burnthill, Carnmoney, Collinbridge, Glebe, Glengormley, Hightown 21,639 2,345.03 6,073.60 9.23 3.56
49 Holywood and Clandeboye Ards and North Down 5 Clandeboye, Cultra, Helen's Bay, Holywood, Loughview 20,809 414.04 1,072.36 50.26 19.40
50 Killultagh Lisburn and Castlereagh 5 Ballinderry, Glenavy, Maghaberry, Stonyford, White Mountain 22,013 136.53 353.60 161.23 62.25
51 Knockagh Mid and East Antrim 5 Burleigh Hill, Gortalee, Greenisland, Sunnylands, Woodburn 17,272 295.29 764.79 58.49 22.58
52 Lagan River Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 5 Donaghcloney, Dromore, Gransha, Quilly, Waringstown 24,804 132.65 343.57 186.99 72.20
53 Larne Lough Mid and East Antrim 5 Ballycarry and Glynn, Curran and Inver, Islandmagee, Kilwaughter, Whitehead South 18,324 127.91 331.29 143.25 55.31
54 Limavady Causeway Coast and Glens 5 Coolessan, Drumsurn, Greystone, Magilligan, Roeside 16,230 83.85 217.17 193.56 74.74
55 Lisburn North Lisburn and Castlereagh 6 Derryaghy, Harmony Hill, Hilden, Lambeg, Magheralave, Wallace Park 23,449 1,698.38 4,398.78 13.81 5.33
56 Lisburn South Lisburn and Castlereagh 6 Ballymacash, Ballymacoss, Knockmore, Lagan Valley, Lisnagarvey, Old Warren 24,321 2,579.98 6,682.13 9.43 3.64
57 Lisnasharragh Belfast 6 Cregagh, Hillfoot, Merok, Orangefield, Ravenhill, Rosetta 29,170 3,521.93 9,121.75 8.28 3.20
58 Lurgan Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 7 Aghagallon, Knocknashane, Lough Road, Magheralin, Mourneview, Parklake, Shankill 38,198 514.86 1,333.48 74.19 28.65
59 Macedon Antrim and Newtownabbey 6 Abbey, Carnmoney Hill, O'Neill, Rathcoole, Valley, Whitehouse 20,323 2,022.19 5,237.45 10.05 3.88
60 Magherafelt Mid Ulster 5 Coolshinny, Glebe, Lissan, The Loup, Town Parks East 19,266 93.29 241.62 206.52 79.74
61 Mid Tyrone Fermanagh and Omagh 6 Beragh, Drumnakilly, Gortin, Owenkillew, Sixmilecross, Termon 17,590 30.92 80.08 568.88 219.65
62 Moyola Mid Ulster 5 Ballymaguigan, Bellaghy, Castledawson, Draperstown, Tobermore 18,586 78.46 203.21 236.89 91.46
63 Newry Newry, Mourne and Down 6 Abbey, Ballybot, Damolly, Drumalane, Fathom, St. Patrick's 27,913 535.08 1,385.86 52.17 20.14
64 Newtownards Ards and North Down 7 Conway Square, Cronstown, Glen, Gregstown, Movilla, Scrabo, West Winds 29,395 816.91 2,115.78 35.98 13.89
65 Oldpark Belfast 6 Ardoyne, Ballysillan, Cliftonville, Legoniel, New Lodge, Water Works 34,352 2,567.84 6,650.67 13.38 5.17
66 Omagh Fermanagh and Omagh 6 Camowen, Coolnagard, Dergmoney, Gortrush, Killyclogher, Strule 18,480 1,123.21 2,909.11 16.45 6.35
67 Ormiston Belfast 7 Belmont, Garnerville, Gilnahirk, Knock, Sandown, Shandon, Stormont 34,615 2,120.58 5,492.26 16.32 6.30
68 Portadown Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon 6 Ballybay, Corcrain, Killycomain, Loughgall, Mahon, The Birches 32,926 192.69 499.07 170.87 65.97
69 Rowallane Newry, Mourne and Down 5 Ballynahinch, Crossgar and Killyleagh, Derryboy, Kilmore, Saintfield 21,240 137.05 354.96 154.98 59.84
70 Slieve Croob Newry, Mourne and Down 5 Ballydugan, Ballyward, Castlewellan, Drumaness, Dundrum 21,387 69.33 179.56 308.49 119.11
71 Slieve Gullion Newry, Mourne and Down 7 Bessbrook, Camlough, Crossmaglen, Forkhill, Mullaghbane, Newtownhamilton, Whitecross 30,744 86.21 223.28 356.62 137.69
72 Sperrin Derry and Strabane 7 Artigarvan, Ballycolman, Dunnamanagh, Glenelly Valley, Park, Strabane North, Strabane West 24,720 43.38 112.35 569.88 220.03
73 The Glens Causeway Coast and Glens 5 Ballycastle, Kinbane, Loughguile and Stranocum, Lurigethan, Torr Head and Rathlin 17,477 32.98 85.43 529.85 204.58
74 The Moor Derry and Strabane 5 Brandywell, City Walls, Creggan, Creggan South, Sheriff's Mountain 17,128 682.41 1,767.43 25.10 9.69
75 The Mournes Newry, Mourne and Down 7 Annalong, Binnian, Donard, Kilkeel, Lisnacree, Murlough, Tollymore 30,203 88.92 230.30 339.67 131.15
76 Three Mile Water Antrim and Newtownabbey 6 Ballyduff, Fairview, Jordanstown, Monkstown, Mossley, Rostulla 20,653 1,098.74 2,845.72 18.80 7.26
77 Titanic Belfast 6 Ballymacarrett, Beersbridge, Bloomfield, Connswater, Sydenham, Woodstock 36,122 2,684.05 6,951.67 13.46 5.20
78 Torrent Mid Ulster 6 Ardboe, Coalisland North, Coalisland South, Donaghmore, Stewartstown, Washing Bay 23,020 105.57 273.43 218.05 84.19
79 Waterside Derry and Strabane 7 Caw, Clondermot, Drumahoe, Ebrington, Kilfennan, Lisnagelvin, Victoria 29,045 1,835.16 4,753.03 15.83 6.11
80 West Tyrone Fermanagh and Omagh 6 Dromore, Drumquin, Fairy Water, Fintona, Newtownsaville, Trillick 16,603 30.46 78.89 545.09 210.46

Electoral Wards (2012)

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Electoral wards are the basic unit of Northern Ireland's political geography. Since at least 1973, every local government boundary commission has involved the drawing of ward boundaries, then the grouping of wards into DEAs, such that a DEA has one councillor for each ward it has. Likewise, parliamentary constituencies (and thus, Assembly constituencies) are always made up of combinations of electoral wards.

Electoral wards are also used in allocating funding, such as for urban regeneration programmes under the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy[7].

Composition of district councils

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See also: Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom § Northern Ireland

This table shows number of councillors by party, election, and district, based on the three local elections that have occurred since local government reform in 2014-15.

'S.' denotes seats. '14', '19' and '23' denote the years 2014, 2019 and 2023. This table does not reflect any notional changes between the 2011 election and the 2014 election. 'Minor Nat.' includes independent nationalists and Aontú. 'Minor Un.' includes independent unionists, NI21 and UKIP. 'Minor Other' includes other independents and Labour Alternative.

Council Yr SF DUP APNI UUP SDLP TUV GPNI PBP Minor Nat. Minor Un. Minor Other Total Nat Total Unionist Total Other Total
S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ±
Antrim & Newtownabbey 14 3 Steady 14 Steady 4 Steady 13 Steady 4 Steady 2 Steady Steady Steady Steady Steady Steady 7 Steady 29 Steady 4 Steady 40
19 5 Increase2 14 Steady 7 Increase3 9 Decrease4 4 Steady Decrease2 Steady Steady Steady Steady 1 Increase1 9 Increase2 23 Decrease6 8 Increase4
23 9 Increase4 13 Decrease1 8 Increase1 7 Decrease2 1 Decrease3 Steady Steady Steady Steady Steady 2 Increase1 10 Increase1 20 Decrease3 10 Increase2
Ards & North Down 14 Steady 17 Steady 7 Steady 9 Steady 1 Steady 1 Steady 3 Steady Steady Steady 2 Steady Steady 1 Steady 29 Steady 10 Steady 40
19 Steady 14 Decrease3 10 Increase3 8 Decrease1 1 Steady 1 Steady 3 Steady Steady Steady 2 Steady 1 Increase1 1 Steady 25 Decrease4 14 Increase4
23 Steady 14 Steady 12 Increase2 8 Steady 1 Steady Decrease1 2 Decrease1 Steady Steady 2 Steady 1 Steady 1 Steady 24 Decrease1 15 Increase1
Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon 14 8 Steady 13 Steady Steady 12 Steady 6 Steady Steady Steady Steady Steady 2 Steady Steady 14 Steady 27 Steady Steady Steady 41
19 10 Increase2 11 Decrease2 3 Increase3 10 Decrease2 6 Steady Steady Steady Steady Steady 1 Decrease1 Steady 16 Increase2 22 Decrease5 3 Increase3
23 15 Increase5 13 Increase2 4 Increase1 6 Decrease4 1 Decrease5 1 Increase1 Steady Steady Steady 1 Steady Steady 16 Steady 21 Decrease1 4 Increase1
Belfast City 14 19 Steady 13 Steady 8 Steady 7 Steady 7 Steady 1 Steady 1 Steady 1 Steady Steady 3 Steady Steady 26 Steady 24 Steady 10 Steady 60
19 18 Decrease1 15 Increase2 10 Increase2 2 Decrease5 6 Decrease1 Decrease1 4 Increase3 3 Increase2 Steady 2 Decrease1 Steady 24 Decrease2 19 Decrease5 17 Increase7
23 22 Increase4 14 Decrease1 11 Increase1 2 Steady 5 Decrease1 1 Increase1 3 Decrease1 1 Decrease2 1 Increase1 Decrease2 Steady 28 Increase4 17 Decrease2 15 Decrease2
Causeway Coast & Glens 14 7 Steady 11 Steady 1 Steady 10 Steady 6 Steady 3 Steady Steady Steady 1 Steady 1 Steady Steady 14 Steady 25 Steady 1 Steady 40
19 9 Increase2 14 Increase3 2 Increase1 7 Decrease3 6 Steady Decrease3 Steady Steady 1 Steady 1 Steady Steady 16 Increase2 22 Decrease3 2 Increase1
23 12 Increase3 13 Decrease1 5 Increase3 4 Decrease3 3 Decrease3 2 Increase2 Steady Steady Decrease1 1 Steady Steady 15 Decrease1 20 Decrease2 5 Increase3
Derry City & Strabane 14 16 Steady 8 Steady Steady 2 Steady 10 Steady Steady Steady Steady 4 Steady Steady Steady 30 Steady 10 Steady 0 Steady 40
19 11 Decrease5 7 Decrease1 2 Increase2 2 Steady 11 Increase1 Steady Steady 2 Increase2 5 Increase1 Steady Steady 27 Decrease3 9 Decrease1 4 Increase4
23 18 Increase7 5 Decrease2 Decrease2 3 Increase1 10 Decrease1 Steady Steady 1 Decrease1 3 Decrease2 Steady Steady 31 Increase4 8 Decrease1 1 Decrease3
Fermanagh & Omagh 14 17 Steady 5 Steady Steady 9 Steady 8 Steady Steady Steady Steady 1 Steady Steady Steady 26 Steady 14 Steady 0 Steady 40
19 15 Decrease2 5 Steady 1 Increase1 9 Steady 5 Decrease3 Steady Steady Steady 4 Increase3 Steady 1 Increase1 24 Decrease2 14 Steady 2 Increase2
23 21 Increase6 6 Increase1 2 Increase1 7 Decrease2 3 Decrease2 Steady Steady Steady 1 Decrease3 Steady Decrease1 25 Increase1 13 Decrease1 2 Steady
Lisburn & Castlereagh 14 Steady 20 Steady 7 Steady 8 Steady 3 Steady 1 Steady Steady Steady Steady 1 Steady Steady 3 Steady 30 Steady 7 Steady 40
19 2 Increase2 15 Decrease5 9 Increase2 11 Increase3 2 Decrease1 Decrease1 1 Increase1 Steady Steady Decrease1 Steady 4 Increase1 26 Decrease4 10 Increase3
23 4 Increase2 14 Decrease1 13 Increase4 6 Decrease5 2 Steady Steady Decrease1 Steady Steady 1 Increase1 Steady 6 Increase2 21 Decrease5 13 Increase3
Mid & East Antrim 14 3 Steady 16 Steady 3 Steady 9 Steady 1 Steady 5 Steady Steady Steady Steady 3 Steady Steady 4 Steady 33 Steady 3 Steady 40
19 2 Decrease1 15 Decrease1 7 Increase4 7 Decrease2 1 Steady 5 Steady Steady Steady Steady 3 Steady Steady 3 Decrease1 30 Decrease3 7 Increase4
23 4 Increase2 14 Decrease1 7 Steady 8 Increase1 Decrease1 5 Steady Steady Steady Steady 2 Decrease1 Steady 4 Increase1 29 Decrease1 7 Steady
Mid Ulster 14 18 Steady 8 Steady Steady 7 Steady 6 Steady Steady Steady Steady 1 Steady Steady Steady 25 Steady 15 Steady 0 Steady 40
19 17 Decrease1 9 Increase1 Steady 6 Decrease1 6 Steady Steady Steady Steady 2 Increase1 Steady Steady 25 Steady 15 Steady 0 Steady
23 19 Increase2 11 Increase2 Steady 2 Decrease4 5 Decrease1 Steady Steady Steady 3 Increase1 Steady Steady 27 Increase2 13 Decrease2 0 Steady
Newry, Mourne & Down 14 14 Steady 4 Steady 2 Steady 3 Steady 14 Steady Steady Steady Steady 2 Steady 2 Steady 1 Steady 30 Steady 8 Steady 3 Steady 41
19 16 Increase2 3 Decrease1 2 Steady 4 Increase1 11 Decrease3 Steady Steady Steady 3 Increase1 1 Decrease1 1 Steady 30 Steady 8 Steady 3 Steady
23 20 Increase1 5 Increase2 5 Increase3 1 Decrease3 8 Decrease4 Steady Steady Steady 2 Decrease1 0 Decrease1 0 Decrease1 30 Steady 6 Decrease2 5 Increase2
Total 14 105 Steady 130 Steady 32 Steady 88 Steady 66 Steady 13 Steady 4 Steady 1 Steady 9 Steady 13 Steady 1 Steady 180 Steady 244 Steady 38 Steady 462
19 105 Steady 122 Decrease8 53 Increase21 75 Decrease14 59 Decrease7 6 Decrease7 8 Increase4 5 Increase4 15 Increase6 10 Decrease3 4 Increase3 179 Decrease1 213 Decrease31 70 Increase32
23 144 Increase39 122 Steady 67 Increase14 54 Decrease21 39 Decrease20 9 Increase3 5 Decrease3 2 Decrease3 10 Decrease5 7 Decrease3 3 Decrease1 193 Increase14 192 Decrease21 77 Increase7
Council Yr S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± S. ± Total
SF DUP APNI UUP SDLP TUV GPNI PBP Minor Nat. Minor Un. Minor Other Total Nat Total Unionist Total Other

History

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Main article: Reform of local government in Northern Ireland

The current pattern of 11 local government districts was established on 1 April 2015, as a result of the reform process that started in 2005.

The previous pattern of local government in Northern Ireland, with 26 councils, was established in 1973 by the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 and the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 to replace the previous system established by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. The system was based on the recommendations of the Macrory Report, of June 1970, which presupposed the continued existence of the Government of Northern Ireland to act as a regional-level authority.[8]

From 1921 to 1973, Northern Ireland was divided into six administrative counties (subdivided into urban and rural districts) and two county boroughs. The counties and county boroughs continue to exist for the purposes of lieutenancy and shrievalty.[9] This system, with the abolition of rural districts, remains the model for local government in the Republic of Ireland. (See also List of rural and urban districts in Northern Ireland for more details)

Elections

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Councillors are elected for a four-year term of office under the single transferable vote (STV) system. Elections were last held on 18 May 2023. To qualify for election, a councillor candidate must be:

In addition, they must either:

  • be a local elector for the district, or
  • have, during the whole of the 12-month period prior to the election, either owned or occupied land in the district, or else resided or worked in the district

The results of the three elections held since the introduction of the 11 new districts in 2014-15 are as follows.

Combinations

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The districts are combined for various purposes.

Eurostat NUTS level 3

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In the Eurostat Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS), Northern Ireland is divided into five parts at level 3

Name Area Population (2011) % of population
UKN01 Belfast 280,962 15.5
UKN02 Outer Belfast Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, North Down 391,560 21.6
UKN03 East Antrim, Ards, Ballymena, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Larne 439,682 24.3
UKN04 North Ballymoney, Coleraine, Derry, Limavady, Moyle, Strabane 288,138 15.9
UKN05 West and South Armagh, Cookstown, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Magherafelt, Newry and Mourne, Omagh 411,893 22.7

Former education and library boards

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There were five education and library boards (ELBs) in Northern Ireland.

As part of the Review of Public Administration process, the library functions of the ELBs were taken over by a new body, the Northern Ireland Library Authority (branded Libraries NI) in April 2009.[10]

The education and skills functions were centralised into a single Education Authority for Northern Ireland in April 2015.[11]

The boards were as follows:

Name Area
1. Belfast
2. North Eastern Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newtownabbey
3. South Eastern Ards, Castlereagh, Down, Lisburn and North Down
4. Southern Armagh, Banbridge, Cookstown, Craigavon, Dungannon and South Tyrone, Newry and Mourne
5. Western Derry, Fermanagh, Limavady, Omagh, Strabane

Former health and social services boards

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There were four health and social services boards which were replaced by a single Health and Social Care Board in April 2009.[12]

The former health and social services boards were as follows:

Name Area
1. Eastern Ards, Belfast, Castlereagh, Down, Lisburn, North Down
2. Northern Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Larne, Magherafelt, Moyle, Newtownabbey
3. Southern Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Dungannon and South Tyrone, Newry and Mourne
4. Western Derry, Fermanagh, Limavady, Omagh, Strabane

Reform

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Main article: Reform of local government in Northern Ireland

In June 2002, the Northern Ireland Executive established a Review of Public Administration to review the arrangements for the accountability, development, administration and delivery of public services. Among its recommendations were a reduction in the number of districts.[13] In 2005 Peter Hain, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, announced proposals to reduce the number of councils to seven.[14] The names and boundaries of the seven districts were announced in March 2007.[15] In March 2008 the restored Northern Executive agreed to create eleven new councils instead of the original seven.[16][17] The first elections were due to take place in May 2011. However, by May 2010 disagreements among parties in the executive over district boundaries were expected to delay the reforms until 2015.[18] In June 2010 the proposed reforms were abandoned following the failure of the Northern Ireland Executive to reach agreement.[19][20] However, on 12 March 2012, the Northern Ireland Executive published its programme for government, which included a commitment to reduce the number of councils in Northern Ireland to 11.[21]

See also

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Tables relating to the old 26 council system

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b "A Beginners Guide to UK Geography (2023)". Open Geography Portal. Office for National Statistics. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023. In Northern Ireland, a total of 26 LGDs were established in 1996. This number was reduced to 11 from 1 April 2015. These districts form the single tier of local government in Northern Ireland. Local government districts were formerly known as district council areas (DCAs).
  2. ^ "Census 2021 person and household estimates for settlements". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2022". Office for National Statistics. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Election results 1973–2001". Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.
  5. ^ NISRA (2021). "Northern Ireland DEAs by population".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Northern Ireland Census 2021 - MS-A14: Population density". UK Data Service.
  7. ^ "Defining Eligibility Criteria" (PDF). NISRA.
  8. ^ "Report of the Review Body on Local Government in Northern Ireland 1970". CAIN Web Service – Conflict and Politics in Northern Ireland (University of Ulster). Her Majesty's Stationery Office. June 1970. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  9. ^ The Northern Ireland (Lieutenancy) Order 1975 (S.I. 1975 No.156)
  10. ^ Campbell officially launches a new era in libraries NI-Libraries.net, 2 April 2009; Retrieved 23 July 2013 Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Education Authority". Education Authority NI.
  12. ^ "Health and Social Board". Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  13. ^ "Review of Public Administration". Northern Ireland Executive. Retrieved 8 July 2010.[dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Major reform of local government". BBC News. 22 November 2005. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  15. ^ Revised Recommendations for new council boundaries unveiled (Press Release) Office of the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner, 30 March 2007 Archived 7 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "NI councils reduced from 26 to 11". BBC News. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  17. ^ Foster announces the future shape of local government NI Executive, 13 March 2008 Archived 25 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Plan to cut Northern Ireland councils may be delayed until 2015". Belfast Telegraph. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  19. ^ "The executive fails to agree a deal on council reform". BBC News. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  20. ^ "Local Government Association Incensed as Minister Stops the Reform Process". Northern Ireland Local Government Association. 15 June 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  21. ^ "Priority 5: Delivering High Quality and Efficient Public Services; Key Commitments" (PDF). Programme for Government 2011–15. Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
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