Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

[F17N.I.–

(1)This paragraph applies where a Commissioner is appointed under section 50(1)(b).

(2)As soon as practicable after his appointment, the Commissioner shall—

(a)make a public announcement to the effect that he has commenced his task; and

(b)invite proposals from councils, political parties, associations, organisations and individual members of the public.

(3)Where the Commissioner has provisionally determined to make recommendations with respect to a district or the wards within a district, he shall publish in at least two newspapers circulating in the district a notice-

(a)setting out the provisional recommendations or specifying places and times at which copies of the provisional recommendations may be inspected; and

(b)stating that representations in writing with respect to the provisional recommendations may, within the relevant period, be made to the Commissioner in the manner specified in the notice.

(4)Where the period specified in a notice under paragraph (3) in relation to a district has elapsed, the Commissioner may, after giving public notice thereof, cause a public hearing to be held in that district in respect of—

(a)the boundary and name of the district, and the number, boundaries and names of the wards within that district; or

(b)such of those matters as are affected by the recommendations in question.

(5)Where the Commissioner receives any representations duly made in accordance with the notice under sub-paragraph (3) objecting to the recommendations he has provisionally determined to make-

(a)from the council of the district, or

(b)from not less than 100 local electors registered by virtue of a qualifying address in the district,

the Commissioner shall not make the recommendations unless, since the publication of the notice, a public hearing such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) has been held in the district.

(6)The Commissioner may cause additional public hearings to be held in such manner as he may direct.

(7)The Commissioner—

(a)shall take into consideration the representations, if any, made in accordance with a notice published under sub-paragraph (3) or at a hearing under sub-paragraph (4) or (6); and

(b)may revise any provisional recommendations.

(8)Where the Commissioner revises any provisional recommendations with respect to a district or the wards within a district, he may if he thinks fit publish in at least two newspapers circulating in that district a notice-

(a)setting out the revised recommendations or specifying places and times at which copies of the revised recommendations may be inspected; and

(b)stating that representations in writing with respect to the revised recommendations may, within the relevant period, be made to the Commissioner in the manner specified in the notice;

and, if the Commissioner does so, he shall take into consideration any representations made in accordance with the notice.]