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About Us

The Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland (the Commission) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body established under the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.  Its powers were later extended under the Housing Orders 1976 and 1981, and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1992.

In general, the terms of reference for the Commission are to exercise:‘general oversight of matters connected with the recruitment, training and terms and conditions of employment of officers of councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and of making recommendations to councils and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on such matters.'

The specific functions of the Commission are detailed in Section 40 (4) (a) - (f) of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.

Current and Future Status

In October 2013, following consultation on the future of the Commission, the then Environment Minister announced that the Commission, having implemented its important role in the reorganisation of local government programme, would no longer be required.  It was subsequently agreed by the NI Executive, at their meeting on 19 June 2014, that the Commission would be wound up on 31 March 2017.

When the NI Assembly was suspended in 2017, it was not possible to have the necessary Dissolution Order in place to wind up the Commission as planned and its work is currently ongoing.

The Department for Communities decided to reconstitute the Commission membership with effect from 01 April 2017 (up to the final dissolution date).  As part of a phased redundancy plan, Commission staffing has been reduced from 11 to 4 with the facility to engage temporary staff and consultancy services as required.  In order to ensure ongoing effectiveness and to discharge it statutory functions the Commission has developed a Management and Dissolution Plan to enable it to continue until final dissolution.

The main Key Performance Areas as follows:

KEY PERFORMANCE AREA 1 – ESSENTIAL STATUTORY FUNCTIONS

The delivery of the Commission’s statutory functions during the management and dissolution period and the integration of designated functions within councils, including:

·        Advisory Appointments Panels

·        Code of Procedures on Recruitment & Selection

·        Code of Conduct for Local Government Officers

·        Negotiating Machinery

KEY PERFORMANCE AREA 2 – OVERSIGHT OF THE FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED TO COUNCILS PRIOR TO 31 MARCH 2017

To maintain oversight of the functions already transferred to councils in line with the planned 31 March 2017 dissolution date, including:

·        Advisory and support services

·        Monitoring of Fair Employment Practices

This oversight ensures the proper discharge of the Commission’s functions.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREA 3 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

To ensure continuing good governance, accountability and operational management of the Commission as a statutory body, including:

·        Sound System of Control (audit, risk etc.)

·        Finance and Administration

·        Orderly Dissolution Arrangements

The Commission publishes information via its Publication Scheme and operates within the guidelines set out in its Records Management Policy on Retention and Disposal which Is agreed by the Public Records Office for NI.

The Commission publishes a number of Corporate Documents.

 

EQUALITY COMMITMENT

The Commission as an organisation is fully committed to meeting its equality obligations and has prepared a number of LGSC Equality documents. Please click here for quick access.

 

3rd Floor
St Anne's House
15 Church Street
Belfast
BT1 1ER
Telephone: (028) 9031 3200
Email: info@lgsc.org.uk

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