LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001

a polling district existing immediately before the alteration or revision or amendment or modification of such division, as the case may be, is not wholly situated within the area of a local authority or of a local electoral area, as the case may be.

• (3) Where subsection (2) applies, the F56[chief executive] of the relevant local authority shall, for each part of the polling district situated within the area of the local authority—

• (a) join it or parts of it with any adjoining polling district or districts within that area, or

• (b) constitute it as a polling district and appoint a polling place for it.

• (4) An arrangement made under subsection (3) has effect until, and only until, the first scheme under section 28 of the Electoral Act, 1992, in relation to the F56[county, city or city and county] in which the part concerned of the polling district is situated comes into operation after the making of the arrangement.

• (5) An arrangement made under subsection (3) shall, as soon as practicable, be notified to the Minister by the F56[chief executive].

• (6) In respect of a part of a polling district referred to in subsection (3), the F56[chief executive] shall make such alterations in relation to the part of the register of electors in force as may be necessary to secure that the part of the register concerned shall be in conformity with the arrangement made under that subsection and may conveniently be used for the purposes of taking a poll.

29. Consequential appointments to certain other bodies.

29.—(1) The year 2004, and every year after 2004 which is a year in which local elections are held, is an election year for the purposes of the Harbours Act, 1946.

• (2) F57[…]

(3)(a) The appointments made under section 10 of the School Attendance Act, 1926, which first occur after the commencement of this subsection shall be made in the year 2004 and shall be regarded as quinquennial appointments.

• (b) Nothing in paragraph (a) operates to prejudice the power of any person, conferred by or under section 10 of the School Attendance Act, 1926, to appoint persons to fill casual vacancies among the membership of a school attendance committee.

30. Savers (Part 4).

30.—F58[…]

PART 5 Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach

Chapter 1 General

31. Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach.

31.—(1) Subject to this Part each local authority F59[and the municipal district members] shall have a chairperson and vice-chairperson who shall be elected and hold office in accordance with this Part and who in this Act are referred to as “Cathaoirleach” and “Leas-Chathaoirleach”, respectively, and shall be so known except where the provisions of section 32 apply.

• F60[(2) The holders of the offices of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach shall as appropriate be styled—

• (a) in the case of a county council, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Chontae....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Chontae....…" followed by the name of the county in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the County of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the County of....…" followed by the name of the county in English,

• (b) in the case of a city council, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Chathair....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Chathair....…" followed by the name of the city in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the City of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the City of....…" followed by the name of the city in English,

• (c) in the case of a city and county council, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Chathair agus Chontae....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Chathair agus Chontae....…" followed by the name of the city and county in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the City and County of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the City and County of....…" followed by the name of the city and county in English,

• (d) in the case of a municipal district whose area contains the area of a city council dissolved by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Cathrach....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Cathrach....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Metropolitan District of....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English,

• (e) in the case of a municipal district whose area contains the area of a borough council in being (other than in respect of the borough of Kilkenny) immediately before the transfer date as provided for by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Buirge....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Buirge....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Borough District of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Borough District of....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English,

• (f) in the case of a municipal district whose area contains the area of the borough of Kilkenny in being immediately before the transfer date as provided for by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach Chathair Chill Chainnigh" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach Chathair Chill Chainnigh" and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Kilkenny City" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Kilkenny City",

• (g) in the case of a municipal district to which paragraph (d), (e) or (f) does not apply, in the Irish language "Cathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of....…" and "Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Municipal District of....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in English.]

• (3) Any reference in any other enactment to the lord mayor, mayor, chairman, deputy lord mayor, deputy mayor or vice-chairman or cognate words shall, where the context so requires, be read as a reference to the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach or other title standing for the time being by virtue of section 32, as the case may be.

F60[(4)(a) The Cathaoirleach of a local authority shall take precedence at all meetings of the local authority.

• (b) The Cathaoirleach of a municipal district shall take precedence at all meetings and proceedings of the municipal district members.

• (5) Anything authorised or required by this Act or otherwise by law to be done by, to or with the Cathaoirleach may where necessary be done by, to or with the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the local authority or the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the municipal district, as the case may be.

• (6) The Cathaoirleach may, where the Leas-Chathaoirleach is unavailable, nominate from among the other members of the local authority or the municipal district members, as the case may be, a member for the purpose of representing the Cathaoirleach at any ceremony or event in that capacity and that member shall be entitled to act in that capacity for such purpose.

• (7) Where a casual vacancy occurs in the office of Cathaoirleach of a local authority or of a municipal district, as the case may be, the Leas-Chathaoirleach shall assume the responsibilities of the office pending the election in accordance with this Part of a Cathaoirleach.]

• (8) A person holding the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach on the commencement of this provision shall continue to hold that office in accordance with this Part.

• (9) Subject to this Act, an outgoing Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall be eligible for re-election.

• (10) F61[…]

• (11) Section 34 shall apply to a Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach elected in 2004 in accordance with F61[…] this Part and thereafter.

32. Alternative titles to Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach, etc.

F62[32.—(1) Where prior to the commencement of section 31—

• (a) Cork City Council or Dublin City Council used the title "Lord Mayor" or "Deputy Lord Mayor", or

• (b) Galway City Council used the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor",

to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach as the case may be, it shall continue to so use such title or titles notwithstanding the provisions of section 31.

• (1A) Where—

• (a) immediately before the 2014 establishment day (provided for in Part 2 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) Limerick City Council or Waterford City Council used the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas- Chathaoirleach, as the case may be, then, if a municipal district containing the area of the former city council is determined by order under section 23(1)(c), the municipal district members (being the municipal district members for a metropolitan district by virtue of section 22A(2)(a)) may use such title or titles notwithstanding the provisions of section 31 (as amended by that Act),

• (b) immediately before the transfer date (provided for in Chapter 2 of Part 3 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014) a borough council referred to in Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 6 used the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach, as the case may be, then, if a municipal district containing the area of the former borough council is determined by order under section 23(1)(c), the municipal district members (being the municipal district members for a borough district by virtue of section 22A(2)(b) or for the municipal district of Kilkenny City by virtue of section 22A(2) (c)) may use such title or titles notwithstanding the provisions of section 31 (as amended by that Act), and

• (c) a municipal district contains the area of a town (including all the environs of the town for the purposes of the census of population concerned) the population of which, when rounded to the nearest 1,000 as shown in the latest census report of the Central Statistics Office, is equal to or greater than 20,000, then the municipal district members for such district may decide by resolution to use the title "Mayor" or "Deputy Mayor", to describe its office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach notwithstanding the provisions of section 31 (as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014).

• (2) A local authority or the municipal district members, to which subsection (1) or (1A) (respectively) relates, may by resolution give the title Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach to the Lord Mayor or Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayor or Deputy Mayor, as the case may be, and in that case shall be styled in accordance with section 31.

• (3) Where titles are continued in accordance with subsection (1) or (1A), the holders of the offices concerned shall, as appropriate, be styled—

• (a) in the case of Cork City Council, in the Irish language "Ard-Mhéara Chathair Chorcaí" and "Leas-Ardmhéara Chathair Chorcaí", and in the English language "Lord Mayor of the City of Cork" and "Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Cork",

• (b) in the case of Dublin City Council, in the Irish language "Ard- Mhéara Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath" and "Leas-Ardmhéara Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath", and in the English language "Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin" and "Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin",

• (c) in the case of Galway City Council, in the Irish language "Méara Chathair na Gaillimhe" and "Leas-Mhéara Chathair na Gaillimhe", and in the English language "Mayor of the City of Galway" and "Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway",

• (d) in the case of a municipal district to which subsection (1A) relates, in the Irish language "Méara....…" and "Leas-Mhéara....…" followed by the name of the municipal district in Irish, and in the English language "Mayor of....…" and "Deputy Mayor of.....… " followed by the name of the municipal district in English in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) of section 22A.

• (4) Notwithstanding section 31 a local authority which is a city and county council may, subject to Schedule 8, give an alternative title to its Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach or revert to the title or titles of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach as the case may be.]

33. Resignation of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

33.—F63[(1) The Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach may resign from that office by notice in writing signed by him or her and delivered to the principal offices of the local authority which, in the case of a municipal district, is the principal offices of the local authority concerned.]

• (2) The vacancy caused by a resignation under subsection (1) shall occur on the date specified in the notice as the resignation date or, where no such date is specified, on receipt of such notice.

34. Removal of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach from office.

34.—F64[(1) Subject to this section, a local authority may by resolution remove from office the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of such local authority for stated misbehaviour or if his or her removal appears to it to be necessary for the effective performance by the local authority of its functions and such removal may also be for those reasons arising from the performance of his or her duties as chair of the corporate policy group.

• (1A) Subject to this section, a local authority may by resolution remove from office the chairperson of any strategic policy committee of such local authority for stated misbehaviour or if his or her removal appears to them to be necessary for the effective performance by the local authority of its functions or by the committee of its functions.]

• (2) Notice of the intention to propose a resolution under this section (in this section referred to as a “notice”) shall—

• (a) be signed by at least one-third of the total number of members of the local authority concerned,

• (b) contain a statement of the reasons for the proposed removal,

• (c) specify a day for the holding of a special meeting to consider the proposed removal, being a day which is not less than 21 days after the day on which the notice is delivered under paragraph (d),

• (d) be delivered to the meetings administrator, and

• F65[(e) be delivered or sent to the Cathaoirleach, Leas-Chathaoirleach or chairperson of the strategic policy committee concerned.]

• (3) The meetings administrator shall on receipt of a notice and without delay send a copy of it to every member of the local authority and convene a special meeting for the date so specified to consider the proposed removal.

• (4)
• (a) Such special meeting shall be chaired by a member of the local authority, other than the person the subject of the notice, chosen by the members present at the meeting.

• (b) The person the subject of the notice shall at such meeting be afforded an opportunity to make a statement of response in relation to the proposed removal.

• F65[(5) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under this section that the number of members of the local authority concerned voting in favour of the resolution is at least two-thirds of those present and voting.]

Chapter 2 Election by Local Authority

35. Application of Chapter 2.

35.—F66[…]

35A. F67[Application of Chapter to municipal district members.

35A.— This Chapter applies to municipal district members as if every reference in the other provisions of this Chapter to a local authority or to a member of a local authority were, respectively, a reference to the municipal district members or to a member of a municipal district.]

36. Annual election of Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach by local authority.

36.—(1) (a) Subject to paragraph (c), a local authority shall elect a Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach from amongst its members at every annual meeting.

• (b) The election of a Cathaoirleach shall be carried out in accordance with section 37.

• (c) A member of a local authority who is a member of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann shall be disqualified from being elected or from being a Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority.

• F68[(d) On the commencement of section 2 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003, paragraph (c) shall cease to apply and have effect.]

• (2)
• (a) Subject to subsection (3), a member who holds the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall hold that office (unless he or she becomes disqualified under subsection (1)(c), resigns under section 33 or is removed from office under section 34) from election until a successor is elected at the next annual meeting of the local authority after that member’s election to that office.

• (b) In a year in which local elections are to be held under section 26 and notwithstanding subsection (3), subsection (4) shall apply in respect of a Cathaoirleach.

• (3) Except as is provided for in subsection (4), the Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority shall, upon ceasing to be a member of the authority, cease to be Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of that authority.

• (4) Following a local election the Cathaoirleach shall continue to hold office for the period between the retirement of the outgoing members and the commencement of the annual meeting at which the successor is elected unless he or she sooner dies or resigns from the office or becomes disqualified for local authority membership.

37. Method of election of Cathaoirleach by local authority.

37.—Subject to paragraph 4 of Schedule 10, the following provisions shall apply and have effect in respect of the election of a Cathaoirleach by the members of a local authority:

• (a) one or more than one member may be proposed and seconded for nomination and every person so proposed and seconded who does not reject the nomination shall be a candidate and no other person shall be a candidate otherwise than in accordance with this provision;

• (b) where there is only one candidate, such candidate shall be elected;

• (c) where there are more than 2 candidates, a poll shall be taken;

• (d) if at such poll a majority of the members present vote for any particular candidate, such candidate shall be elected;

• (e) if at such poll no candidate receives the votes of a majority of the members present, the candidate receiving the least number of votes shall be excluded from the election, and, subject to paragraph (g), one or more further polls (according as may be necessary) shall be taken;

• (f) paragraphs (d) and (e) shall apply in relation to such further poll or polls;

• (g) where there are only 2 candidates or where, as a result of one or more polls all the candidates except 2 have been excluded, the question as to which of such candidates shall be elected shall be put to the members present and whichever of such candidates receives the majority of votes cast shall be elected;

• (h) if from an equality of votes given to 2 or more candidates any question arises as to which of such candidates is to be excluded or as to which of such candidates is to be elected, such question shall be decided by lot in accordance with paragraph (i);

• (i) in deciding any such question by lot, the names of the candidates concerned shall be written on similar slips of paper, the slips shall be folded so as to prevent identification and mixed and drawn at random, and the candidate whose name is first drawn shall be—

• (I) the candidate who shall be excluded, where the question concerns an exclusion, or

• (II) the candidate who shall be elected, where the question concerns an election.

38. Casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach.

38.—(1) Where a casual vacancy occurs in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach of a local authority the members of the authority—

• (a) present at the next meeting of the authority after the occurrence of the vacancy, or

• (b) if that meeting is held within 14 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, present at the next following meeting of the authority,

shall elect one of their number to be Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach, as the case may be.

• (2) Section 37 shall apply in relation to the election of a member to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach.

• (3) A person elected to fill a casual vacancy in the office of Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach shall be elected for the remainder of the term of office of his or her predecessor.

• (4) Not less than 3 clear days’ notice shall be given to each member of the local authority of a meeting to fill a casual vacancy under this section.

Chapter 3 Direct Election

39. Application of Chapter 3.

39.—F69[…]

40. Direct election and tenure of Cathaoirleach of county council and city council.

40.—F70[…]

41. Casual vacancy in office of Cathaoirleach of county council or city council.

41.—F71[…]

42. Amendments to certain Acts, relating to direct elections, etc.

42.—F72[…]

43. Election petitions in relation to direct elections.

43.—F73[…]

PART 6 Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

44. Application (Part 6).

44.—(1) This Part and Schedule 10 apply and have effect in relation to the meetings and proceedings of local authorities and to connected matters.

• (2) Meetings of a local authority or a joint body may be held in Irish or in English or in both languages.

• (3) In respect of meetings and proceedings of joint bodies, the Minister may by regulations under this subsection—

• (a) make provisions corresponding to those provided for local authorities under this Part and Schedule 10,

• (b) apply this Part or Schedule 10, with any necessary modification or adaptation,

and any such provisions apply and have effect in relation to such meetings and proceedings.

(4)(a) Subject to paragraph (b), any provision provided for by or under statute relating to meetings and proceedings of a joint body to which that paragraph relates, and in force immediately before the commencement of this provision, continues in operation until it ceases to have effect under paragraph (b).

• (b) On the commencement of regulations under subsection (3), the matters with respect to which the regulations were made are governed by those regulations, and any previous provisions (whether made by or under statute) as may be specified in those regulations relating to those matters cease to have effect as respects the body mentioned in the regulations to such extent as may be so specified.

45. Attendance of public and media at meetings.

45.—(1) In this section—

“media” includes accredited representatives of local and national press, local and national radio and local and national television;

“members of the public” means any person who is not attending the meeting at the request of the local authority.

• (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (5), members of the public and representatives of the media are entitled to be present at a meeting of a local authority.

• (3) Where a local authority is of the opinion that the absence of members of the public and representatives of the media from the whole or any part of a particular meeting is desirable because—

• (a) of the special nature of the meeting, or of an item of business to be, or about to be, considered at the meeting, or

• (b) for other special reasons,

the authority may by resolution decide to meet in committee for the whole or a part of the meeting concerned, where the authority considers that such action is not contrary to the overall public interest.

• (4)
• (a) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under subsection (3) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

• (b) A resolution under subsection (3) shall indicate in a general way the reasons for the resolution and those reasons shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

• (5) A local authority may, by standing orders, regulate the right of members of the public and representatives of the media to be present at meetings and, in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may—

• (a) taking account of available space, limit the number of persons to be admitted,

• (b) make rules governing the conduct of persons present at meetings,

• (c) provide for the removal of members of the public who interrupt the proceedings or who otherwise misconduct themselves, or

• (d) make rules in relation to the taking of photographs or the use of any means for recording or relaying the proceedings as they take place or at a later stage.

• (6) Nothing in subsection (5), other than paragraph (a), shall be read so as to enable a local authority to limit the attendance of representatives of the media, and paragraph (a) shall not be read as enabling a local authority to prohibit the attendance of such representatives.

46. Meetings administrator.

46.—The F74[chief executive] shall from time to time as may be necessary assign the duties of meetings administration to an employee (referred to in this Act as a “meetings administrator”) of a local authority.

47. Effective discharge of business.

F75[47.— A local authority shall seek to secure as regards—

• (a) the establishment of committees under Part 7, and

• (b) meetings of the authority and each of its committees and municipal district members,

that they are organised and operate so as to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the discharge of business.]

PART 7 Committees and Joint Committees

48. Strategic policy committees.

48.—(1) A local authority, F76[…] shall establish by resolution committees to be known as strategic policy committees to consider matters connected with the formulation, development, monitoring and review of policy which relate to the functions of the local authority and to advise the authority on those matters.

• F77[(1A) One of the committees established under subsection (1) shall be to consider matters which relate to the functions of the local authority in relation to economic development and matters connected to the promotion of, including support for, enterprise, and to advise the authority on those matters.]

(2)(a) A strategic policy committee consists partly of persons who are and partly of persons who are not members of the local authority concerned.

• (b) The chairperson of a strategic policy committee shall be a member of the local authority concerned.

(3)(a) The establishment of a strategic policy committee shall be undertaken by the local authority in accordance with such guidelines as may be issued by the Minister for that purpose under section 54(2).

• (b) Guidelines referred to in paragraph (a) shall include provision for—

• F78[(i) the representation of each local community development committee established in accordance with section 49A and of sectoral interests,]

• (ii) the term of office of—

• (I) members of strategic policy committees, and

• (II) chairpersons, which shall not be less than 3 years,

and

• (iii) the procedures to apply to ensure fairness and equity in the appointment of chairpersons.

• F77[(ba) Guidelines referred to in paragraph (a) may include—

• (i) provisions for procedures for presentation of proposals to the local authority concerned connected with the formulation, development, monitoring and review of policy for the purposes of this section,

• (ii) provisions relating to the format, content and layout of any particular class or classes of policy papers and other documents (including the preparation of preliminary documents) prepared by or presented to the strategic policy committee, and

• (iii) provisions for procedures to ensure that sufficient time for input by the strategic policy committee into policy papers is provided prior to completion and subsequent presentation to the local authority concerned.

• (bb) Guidelines referred to in paragraph (a) may apply to local authorities generally, to any class or classes of local authorities specified in the guidelines or to a particular local authority so specified and shall, in so far as the guidelines relate to them, be complied with by every local authority, chief executive, strategic policy committee and municipal district member.]

• (c) Any guidelines issued by the Minister prior to the commencement of this section and relating to strategic policy committees continue to apply until such time as guidelines are issued under section 54(2).

F77[(3A)(a) For the purposes of assisting a strategic policy committee in considering matters in accordance with subsections (1) and (1A) the committee may request the attendance of a public authority at a meeting of the committee.

• (b) Where a public authority refuses or otherwise fails to attend a meeting of a strategic policy committee following a request by the committee, then the chairperson of the committee—

• (i) may report such refusal or failure to a meeting of the local authority, and

• (ii) where so reported, shall provide the meeting of the local authority with any explanation furnished by the public authority for so refusing or failing to attend.

• (c) Where any refusal or failure by a public authority is reported to a local authority under paragraph (b), then the local authority may report such refusal or failure, together with any explanation furnished by the public authority, to any Minister of the Government—

• (i) on whom functions relating to the public authority concerned stand conferred, or

• (ii) who has general responsibility for the public authority concerned.

• (3B) When formulating, developing, adopting, monitoring and reviewing policies which relate to the functions of a local authority each strategic policy committee of the local authority shall have regard to the regional spatial and economic strategy of the appropriate regional assembly.]

• (4) Subject to subsection (5), a member of a local authority who is a member of either House of the Oireachtas is disqualified from being elected or from being a chairperson of a strategic policy committee.

• (5) Subsection (4) has effect for the purposes of any election of a chairperson of a strategic policy committee held after the commencement of this section.

• (6) An annual report of a local authority shall include an outline of the activities of strategic policy committees during the period to which the annual report relates.

• F79[(7) On the commencement of section 2 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act 2003, subsections (4) and (5) cease to apply.]

49. Municipal policy committees.

49.—F80[…]

49A. F81[Local Community Development Committees

49A.— (1) Subject to subsection (3), there shall be established, in accordance with this section and Chapter 2 of Part 13 (including any regulations made or general policy guidelines issued under that Chapter) by resolution of each local authority in respect of its administrative area a committee, to be known as the Local Community Development Committee, for the purposes of developing, co-ordinating and implementing a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development.

• (2) Subject to this section and Chapter 2 of Part 13, each Local Community Development Committee is independent in the performance of its functions.

• (3) Where the Minister has approved in writing a proposal by a local authority for the establishment of more than one Local Community Development Committee within its administrative area, the local authority may by resolution establish such number of Committees so proposed.

• (4) A local authority may, by resolution and with the prior approval of the Minister in writing, dissolve a Local Community Development Committee established by it but the dissolution is without prejudice to anything previously done by such Committee.

• (5) A Local Community Development Committee dissolved in accordance with subsection (4) shall be replaced by resolution of the local authority concerned—

• (a) where subsection (3) applies, by such number of Local Community Development Committees as are approved by the Minister for establishment under that subsection, or

• (b) in any other case, by a new Local Community Development Committee.

• (6) Except where a Local Community Development Committee would stand dissolved in accordance with subsection (4) in respect of a day that would be the ordinary day of retirement of the members of the local authority concerned, a Local Community Development Committee shall, notwithstanding section 51(6), continue to stand established on and following that day.

• (7) An annual report of a local authority shall include an outline of the activities of each Local Community Development Committee within the authority’s functional area during the period to which the annual report relates.

• (8) Section 45 shall not apply to meetings of the Committee.]

50. Area committees.

F82[50.—(1) A local authority to which this section applies may establish by resolution a committee in respect of a local electoral area or of 2 or more adjoining such areas or any other area in its administrative area to be known by some appropriate name followed by the words "Area Committee", or by such other title, as may be designated by the authority.

• (2) This section applies to the following local authorities:

• (a) Cork City Council;

• (b) Dublin City Council;

• (c) Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council;

• (d) Fingal County Council;

• (e) Galway City Council;

• (f) South Dublin County Council.]

51. Committees of local authorities.

51.—(1) If a local authority considers it appropriate, it may by resolution establish either or both—

• (a) one or more than one committee to consider matters connected with the functions of the authority referred to it by the authority and to assist and advise the authority on those matters, and

• (b) one or more than one committee to perform functions of the authority delegated to it under this section but may not delegate generally all of its functions to any committee.

• (2)
• (a) A local authority may, by resolution, delegate with or without restrictions to a committee established under subsection (1)(b) any of its functions that may be performed by resolution other than—

• (i) the power to adopt the local authority budget,

• (ii) the power to make a development plan, or to make a variation of a development plan, under F83[Part 3 of the Act of 2024],

• (iii) the power to determine an annual rate on valuation or borrow money, or

• (iv) any other functions as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

• (b) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under paragraph (a) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

• (3) A local authority may, by resolution, dissolve a committee established by it but the dissolution is without prejudice to anything previously done by the committee.

• (4)
• (a) The members of a committee first appointed shall be appointed by resolution of the local authority by which it was established and subsequent appointments shall be by such resolution or in such other manner as that local authority may provide for by resolution.

• (b) A committee consists of such number of persons, not being less than 3, as the local authority by which it was established considers appropriate.

• (c) Subject to paragraph (d), a committee may at the discretion of the local authority by which it was established, consist either wholly of persons who are members of that authority or partly of persons who are, and partly of persons who are not, such members.

• (d) A person who is not a member of the local authority concerned shall not be appointed to be a member of a committee unless, in the opinion of the authority, he or she is a person having knowledge, qualifications or experience relevant to the functions of the committee.

• (5) Notwithstanding the repeal or revocation under section 5 of an enactment by or under which a committee of a local authority stood established immediately before such repeal or revocation the committee shall continue to stand established after such repeal or revocation as if it was established under this section and this Part applies and has effect accordingly in relation to it.

• (6) Unless dissolved in accordance with subsection (3) a committee shall be deemed to be dissolved on the ordinary day of retirement of members of the local authority concerned in accordance with section 17.

• (7) A reference to a committee in this section includes a committee established under section 50.

• (8) Nothing in this section prejudices the establishment and continued operation of a local consultative committee.

52. Joint committees of local authorities.

52.—(1) In this section “local authority” includes such other bodies (if any) as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

• (2) If 2 or more local authorities consider it appropriate to do so, they may, by resolution of each of the authorities, jointly establish either or both—

• (a) a joint committee of those authorities to consider matters connected with the functions of the authorities specified in the resolution and to advise the authorities on those matters, and

• (b) a joint committee of those authorities to perform functions of those authorities delegated to it by them under subsection (6).

• (3) A local authority may join in the establishment of more than one joint committee.

• (4) More than one joint committee may be established by the same local authorities.

• (5) Where resolutions under subsection (2)(b) relating to a joint committee, with the consent of the Minister, so provide—

• (a) the joint committee shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and be known by such name as may be specified in the resolutions or determined by the joint committee,

• (b) the joint committee may sue and be sued in its corporate name,

• (c) the joint committee has power to acquire, hold, manage, maintain and dispose of land or an interest in land,

• (d) the joint committee shall have a common seal which shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairperson, or of an employee nominated in writing for that purpose by the F84[chief executive], following consultation with the chairperson,

• (e) judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the joint committee and every document claiming to be an instrument made by it and to be sealed with its seal, claiming to be authenticated in accordance with paragraph (d), shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be that instrument without further proof unless the contrary is shown.

(6)(a) Subject to this subsection a local authority by resolution, and with the consent of the other authorities concerned, may delegate with or without restrictions to a joint committee established under subsection (2)(b) any of its functions that may be performed by resolution.

• (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to the functions of a local authority to adopt the local authority budget or to determine an annual rate on valuation or any other functions as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

• (c) It is necessary for the passing of a resolution under paragraph (a) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the local authority concerned vote in favour of the resolution.

• (7) The Minister may direct a local authority—

• (a) to establish a joint committee under subsection (2) with one or more other local authorities as may be specified in the direction, and

• (b) where appropriate, subject to such (if any) conditions or restrictions as may be specified in the direction, to delegate to the joint committee such of the functions of the local authority as may be specified in the direction,

upon and subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified in the direction.

• (8) A joint committee may be dissolved by resolution of any one of the local authorities by which it was established with, in the case of a joint committee established by virtue of a direction under subsection (7), or to which subsection (5) applies, the consent of the Minister, but the dissolution is without prejudice to anything previously done by the committee.

• (9) Where a joint committee is established under subsection (2)(b) such executive functions as may be appropriate to the functions delegated under that subsection shall vest in the F84[chief executive] for that joint committee.

(10)(a) The members of a joint committee shall be appointed by the local authorities by which it was established by each authority appointing such number of persons to be members of the joint committee as may be agreed upon by those authorities.

• (b) A joint committee consists of 6 or more persons, as is agreed by the local authorities by which it was established and may, subject to paragraph (c), at the discretion of those authorities, be composed either wholly of persons who are members of those authorities or partly of persons who are, and partly of persons who are not, such members.

• (c) A person who is not a member of one of the local authorities concerned shall not be appointed to be a member of a joint committee unless, in the opinion of the authority by which he or she is so appointed, he or she possesses knowledge, qualifications or experience relevant to the functions of the joint committee.

(11)(a) Notwithstanding the repeal or revocation under section 5 of an enactment by or under which a joint committee of a local authority stood established immediately before such repeal or revocation, the committee shall continue to stand established after such repeal or revocation as if it was established under this section and this Part applies and has effect accordingly in relation to it.

• (b) Except as provided for by this section or otherwise by law, it is not lawful for local authorities to establish a joint committee or to delegate any of their functions to a joint committee.

53. Saver for acts of committee or joint committee.

53.—The acts, decisions and proceedings of any committee or joint committee of a local authority shall not be invalidated only because of a vacancy or vacancies in its membership or of the disqualification or want of qualification of any of its members.

54. Regulations (Part 7).

54.—(1) The Minister may make regulations—

• (a) specifying conditions, restrictions or other provisions which apply in relation to the delegation of functions to, or the revocation of a delegation of functions to, a joint committee to which section 52(2) applies or to a committee,

• (b) as respects the procedures, general administration and general finances of joint committees to which section 52(2) applies,

• (c) providing for the attendance of members of the public and representatives of the media at meetings of joint committees or committees other than those—

• (i) specified in the regulations, or

• (ii) at which the local authority concerned, in accordance with such procedures as may be specified in the regulations, determines such attendance is not permitted,

and section 45(3) and (4) shall apply to such attendance at meetings of joint committees or committees subject to any necessary modifications,

• (d) as respects such other matters relating to joint committees or committees as the Minister considers appropriate.

• (2) The Minister may issue general policy guidelines to local authorities for the purposes of any provision of this Part and the authorities shall comply with any such guidelines.

PART 8 Local Authority Boundary Alteration

55. Interpretation (Part 8).

55.—F85[…]

56. Proposal by local authority for alteration of boundary.

56.—F86[…]

57. Application for boundary alteration.

57.—F87[…]

58. Supplementary provision to sections 56 and 57.

58.—F88[…]

59. Minister may request review.

59.—F89[…]

60. Report by Local Government Commission.

60.—F90[…]

61. Power to alter boundaries, etc.

61.—F91[…]

62. Provisions consequential on boundary alteration.

62.—F92[…]

PART 9 Functions of Local Authorities

Chapter 1 General Functions of Local Authorities

63. Statement of local authority functions.

63.—(1) The functions of a local authority are—

• (a) to provide a forum for the democratic representation of the local community, in accordance with section 64, and to provide civic leadership for that community,

• (b) to carry out such functions as may at any material time stand conferred on the relevant authority by or under any enactment (including this Act and any other enactment whether enacted before or after this Act),

• (c) to carry out any ancillary functions under section 65, and

• (d) to take such action as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the community interest in accordance with section 66.

(2)(a) Without prejudice to the scope of subsection (1)(b) and for ease of reference only, there is set out—

• (i) in Part 1 of Schedule 12, certain Acts of the Oireachtas, the responsibility for which is primarily that of the Minister, which confer functions on local authorities or on classes of local authorities, and

• (ii) in Part 2 of Schedule 12, certain Acts of the Oireachtas, the responsibility for which is primarily that of a Minister of the Government other than the Minister, which confer functions on local authorities or on classes of local authorities.

• (b) Paragraph (a) shall not be read as setting out all relevant Acts which confer functions on local authorities or on classes of local authorities.

• (3) Subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.

• F93[(4) Subject to law, the functions of a local authority shall be performed for or on behalf of the local authority and in its name by the elected council (including the municipal district members in respect of each municipal district pursuant to section 131A) or the chief executive, as may be appropriate, in accordance with Part 14.]

64. Representational functions of local authorities.

64.—(1) As a forum for the democratic representation of the local community a local authority may represent the interests of such community in such manner as it thinks appropriate.

• (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a local authority may for the purposes of giving effect to that subsection—

• (a) ascertain and communicate to other local authorities and public authorities the views of the local community in relation to matters as respects which those other authorities perform functions and which affect the interests of the administrative area of the authority and the local community,

• (b) promote, organise or assist the carrying out of research, surveys (including public opinion surveys) or studies with respect to the local community or its administrative area,

• (c) facilitate and promote interest and involvement in local government affairs generally,

• (d) promote interest among young people in democracy and local government and in community and civic affairs generally,

• (e) promote the use of the Irish language and support Gaeltacht communities.

• (3) The making of a decision by a local authority in relation to the representation of the views of the local community under this section is a reserved function.

65. Ancillary functions of local authorities.

65.—(1) A local authority may do anything ancillary, supplementary or incidental to or consequential on or necessary to give full effect to, or which will facilitate or is conducive to the performance of, a function conferred on it by this or any other enactment or which can advantageously be performed by the authority in conjunction with the performance of such a function.

• (2) The reference in subsection (1) to a function conferred on a local authority shall be read as including—

• (a) all such functions as may at any material time stand conferred on the local authority by or under any enactment (including this Act and any other enactment whether enacted before or after this Act),

• (b) the provision of offices, equipment or the doing of anything else which is necessary for or related to the general operation, organisation or administration of the authority.

• (3) Every enactment relating to a function of a local authority shall be read and have effect in accordance with this section.

66. Promotion of interests of local community.

66.—(1) In this section “assistance in money or in kind” includes—

• (a) grants, loans, guarantees or other financial aid,

• (b) land and structures of any kind and related services, facilities or equipment,

• (c) plant, machinery or equipment or the carrying out of works,

• (d) the services of staff of the local authority concerned,

• (e) financial aid in relation to the employment of staff, and

• (f) professional or technical assistance.

• (2) A decision by a local authority under this section to provide assistance in money or in kind to which paragraph (a), (b) or (e) of subsection (1) applies is a reserved function.

F94[(3)(a) Subject to this section, a local authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things in accordance with law (including the incurring of expenditure) as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the interests of the local community.

• (b) For the purposes of this section a measure, activity or thing is deemed to promote the interests of the local community if it promotes, directly or indirectly—

• (i) social inclusion or the social, environmental, recreational, cultural or community development, or

• (ii) the general development including enterprise and economic development,

of the administrative area (or any part of it) of the local authority concerned or of the local community (or any group consisting of members of it).

• (c) Nothing in subsection (4) or section 66B or 67 shall be read as restricting the generality or meaning of this subsection.]

• (4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), a local authority may for the purposes of this section—

• (a) carry out and maintain works of any kind,

• (b) provide, maintain, manage, preserve or restore land, structures of any kind or facilities,

• (c) fit out, furnish or equip any building, structure or facility for particular purposes,

• (d) provide utilities, equipment or materials for particular purposes,

• (e) provide any service or other thing or engage in any activity that, in the opinion of the authority, is likely to benefit the local community,

• (f) upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers appropriate, provide assistance in money or in kind (including the provision of prizes and other incentives) in respect of the organisation or promotion of competitions, seminars, exhibitions, displays, festivals or other events, or organise or promote such events,

• (g) upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the authority considers appropriate, provide assistance in money or in kind to persons engaging in any activity that, in the opinion of the authority, benefits the local community,

• (h) take such measures in relation to the matters mentioned in section 67 as it considers necessary or desirable,

• (i) enter into such contracts and make such other arrangements (including the incorporation of one or more than one company) as the authority considers necessary or expedient either alone or jointly with any other local authority or public authority or any other person.

• (5) A local authority shall not, by virtue of this section, perform any function (including the incurring of expenditure or any liability, whether contractual or otherwise) which is conferred on the authority by any other provision of this Act (other than section 67) or of any other enactment.

• (6) A local authority shall not, by virtue of this section, undertake or provide assistance in money or in kind for the undertaking of any activity that would—

• (a) prejudice or unnecessarily duplicate activity arising from the performance of a statutory function by any person in the administrative area of the authority, or

• (b) having regard to the activities or proposed activities of that person in relation to the area, involve wasteful or unnecessary expenditure by the local authority.

• (7) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, prescribe by regulations matters in respect of which a local authority is not to exercise the functions conferred by this section or in respect of which such exercise is subject to terms or conditions set out in the regulations.

• (8) Expenditure (including the incurring of any liability whether contractual or otherwise) by a local authority in respect of the performance of its functions under this section (whether in respect of a particular activity or otherwise or in respect of a particular period or otherwise) shall not exceed such amount as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister.

• (9) There shall be recorded in the annual report of a local authority for every year expenditure and other particulars in relation to the performance of its functions under this section.

• (10) A local authority may make such charges for the use of, admission to or otherwise in relation to amenities, facilities, services or any other thing provided under this section (including matters mentioned in section 67) as it considers appropriate.

• F95[(11) A decision of a local authority to make a charge under subsection (10) is a reserved function.

• (12) The performance by a local authority of functions under this section is subject to the performance by a Local Community Development Committee of so much of those functions as are deemed to have been delegated to the Committee by virtue of section 128B(2).]

66A. F96[Interpretation (sections 66A to 66H)

66A.— In the relevant sections—

"Committee" means a local community development committee established pursuant to section 49A;

"Plan" has the meaning assigned in section 66B;

"relevant sections" means sections 66A to 66H.]

66B. F97[Local economic and community plan

66B.— (1) Each local authority shall make, in accordance with section 66C and any regulations made, or general policy guidelines issued, by the Minister for the purposes of that section, and the principles of sustainable development, a 6 year local economic and community plan (in this section referred to as the "Plan"), which shall be referred to as the "Local Economic and Community Plan", prefixed by the name of the local authority concerned, and the Plan shall be for—

• (a) the promotion of economic development in its functional area, and

• (b) the promotion of local and community development in its functional area.

• (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), promotion of economic development includes but is not limited to—

• (a) creating and sustaining jobs,

• (b) promoting the interests of the community, including—

• (i) enterprise and economic development across economic sectors,

• (ii) foreign direct investment,

• (iii) indigenous industry,

• (iv) micro-enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises,

• (v) tourism, and

• (vi) agriculture, forestry and the marine sectors, and other natural resource sectors,

• (c) identifying local attributes that are essential—

• (i) to enhancing local economic performance, such as the quality of the environment and the qualities of cities, towns and rural areas, including—

• (I) accessibility, physical character, and infrastructure,

• (II) employment opportunities and quality of life,

and the means by which these may be utilised to enhance competitiveness, and be supported by investment decisions relating to economic infrastructure (including transportation, water services, energy, communications and waste management), together with social and cultural facilities, and

• (ii) to promoting local economic activities,

• (d) supporting enhancement of local innovation capacity, including investment in research and development capacity, technology transfer, up-skilling and re-skilling,

• (e) identifying, for existing and prospective businesses, opportunities to engage with local government on relevant matters in setting up and managing their businesses and to ensure speedy and co-ordinated access and response,

• (f) identifying local strengths and opportunities, weaknesses and deficiencies relevant to economic performance and—

• (i) in relation to such strengths and opportunities having regard to economic and employment trends, the means of maintaining and augmenting them, and

• (ii) in relation to such weaknesses and deficiencies, the means of addressing or rectifying them,

and

• (g) identifying economic potential and the requirements to realise it.

• (3) For the purposes of subsection (1), promotion of local and community development includes, but is not limited to—

• (a) promoting and supporting the interests of local communities, or any part of a community or group within a local community, including measures to enhance quality of life and well-being of communities and measures aimed at—

• (i) tackling poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion through support for basic services and other initiatives,

• (ii) supporting training and up-skilling, creating and sustaining employment and self-employment opportunities, and investing in local development through community-focused supports and services, and

• (iii) the provision of infrastructure and community facilities and investment in physical regeneration and environmental improvements,

• (b) supporting the capacity of local communities to improve their quality of life,

• (c) supporting social enterprise, social capital, volunteering and active citizenship,

• (d) developing integrated and evidenced-based approaches to local service planning and delivery,

• (e) identifying the needs and priorities of local communities to enhance their well-being, and developing sustainable solutions that make the best use of local assets, strengths and opportunities to address those needs and priorities,

• (f) exploiting and co-ordinating funding sources from the public, private and community and voluntary sectors to stimulate and support local development and sustainability, and

• (g) promoting, supporting and facilitating community involvement in policy development and decision-making processes related to the planning, development and delivery of services.

• (4) Every Plan made pursuant to subsection (1) shall be consistent with—

• F98[(a) the integrated overall strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024) of the local authority concerned, and]

• F99[(b) any regional spatial and economic strategy (being a strategy for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024)]

that apply to the area of the Plan, and shall consist of a written statement which may include objectives for the sustainable development of the area of the Plan.

(5)(a) Without prejudice to subsections (2) and (3), the Plan to which subsection (1) relates shall include and integrate—

• (i) economic elements in respect of local economic development, and

• (ii) community elements in respect of local and community development.

• (b) Each local authority shall, without prejudice to and, in accordance with section 66C and any regulations made or policy guidelines issued by the Minister for that purpose, draft the economic elements of the Plan.

• (c) Each Committee shall, without prejudice to and, in accordance with sections 66C and 128B and any regulations made or policy guidelines issued by the Minister for that purpose, draft, adopt and obtain approval for the community elements of the Plan.]

66C. F100[Preparation and making of local economic and community plans

66C.— (1) A local authority and a Committee shall, in preparing the economic and community elements of a Plan, have regard to—

• (a) the need to integrate sustainable development considerations into the Plan,

• (b) the resources, wherever originating from, that are available or likely to become available to it for the purpose of the Plan and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of such resources,

• (c) the need for co-operation with, and the co-ordination of its activities with those of other local authorities, public authorities and publicly funded bodies, the performance of some of whose functions affect or may affect the local authority and the Committee,

• (d) the need for consistency with the policies and objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government or other public authority in so far as they may affect or relate to the promotion of economic and community development as provided for in sections 66B(2) and 66B(3), and

• (e) the need to integrate the economic and community elements, developed in accordance with the provisions of subsections (2) and (3), into the Plan.

(2)(a) Each local authority in developing the economic elements of the Plan shall, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister under section 66H—

• (i) consult with members of the public (in this subsection referred to as a "public consultation process") by publishing a public notice (which notice may be given by means of the internet or otherwise) inviting them to make observations or other submissions in writing to the local authority in relation to its proposed development of those elements of the Plan and, in relation to the observations and other submissions so made—

• (I) prepare and publish a report on them, and

• (II) have regard to them when preparing the economic elements of the Plan,

• (ii) consult with those public authorities and publicly funded bodies exercising functions that, in the local authority’s opinion, have a contribution to make or are making to economic development within the functional area of that local authority, and

• (iii) consult with any person or body prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 66H.

• (b) Following consultations in accordance with paragraph (a), the local authority concerned shall submit a draft of the economic elements of the Plan for consideration—

• (i) in respect of each municipal district concerned, by the municipal district members, and

• (ii) by the regional assembly for the region within which the local authority is located pursuant to section 43 of the Local Government Act 1991,

and each shall adopt a statement on the draft for consideration by the elected council of that local authority and by the Committee.

• (c) The consideration of the economic elements of a draft of the Plan by the regional assembly, the municipal district members, in accordance with pararaph (b), and the Committee, in accordance with section 128B(1) (h), shall relate to its consistency with—

• F101[(i) the integrated overall strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024) of the local authority concerned,]

• F102[(ii) any regional spatial and economic strategy (being a strategy for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024), that may apply, and]

• (iii) the community elements of a draft of the Plan submitted by the Committee in accordance with subsection (3)(b).

• (d) The adoption by the municipal district members of a statement under paragraph (b) is a reserved function.

(3)(a) The Committee, in developing the community elements of the Plan shall, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister under section 66H—

• (i) consult with members of the public (in this subsection referred to as a "public consultation process") by publishing a public notice (which notice may be given by means of the internet or otherwise) inviting them to make observations or other submissions in writing to the local authority in relation to its proposed development of those elements of the Plan and, in relation to the observations and other submissions so made—

• (I) prepare and publish a report on them, and

• (II) have regard to them when preparing the community elements of the Plan,

• (ii) consult with those public authorities and publicly funded bodies exercising functions that, in the local Committee’s opinion, have a contribution to make or are making to community development to or within, the area of the Committee, and

• (iii) consult with any person or body prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under section 66H.

• (b) Following consultations in accordance with paragraph (a), the Committee concerned shall submit a draft of the community elements of the Plan for consideration—

• (i) in respect of each municipal district concerned, by the municipal district members, and

• (ii) by the regional assembly for the region within which the local authority, to which the Committee relates, is located pursuant to section 43 of the Local Government Act 1991,

and each shall adopt a statement on the draft for consideration by the elected council of that local authority.

• (c) The consideration of the community elements of a draft of the Plan by the regional assembly, the municipal district members, in accordance with paragraph (b), and the local authority concerned, in accordance with subsection (4)(a), shall relate to its consistency with—

• F101[(i) the integrated overall strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024) of the local authority concerned,]

• F102[(ii) any regional spatial and economic strategy (being a strategy for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024), that may apply, and]

• (iii) the economic elements of a draft of the Plan prepared in accordance with subsection (2)(b).

• (d) The adoption by the municipal district members of a statement under paragraph (b) is a reserved function.

(4)(a) Following the adoption of statements provided for in subsections (2)(b) and (3)(b) and any statement adopted by the Committee, the Plan (including any Plan amended consequent to subparagraph (i), or new Plan made consequent to subparagraph (ii) of section 66F(b)) shall integrate the economic and community elements and that Plan shall be made by the elected council of the local authority, with or without amendment, and any amendment by it shall relate only to the consistency of the Plan with—

• F101[(i) the integrated overall strategy and the objectives of the development plan (being the development plan for the purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024) of the local authority concerned that apply to the area of the Plan, and]

• F102[(ii) any regional spatial and economic strategy (being a strategy for the purposes of Chapter 4 of Part 3 of the Act of 2024), that apply to the area of the Plan.]

• (b) The making of the Plan under paragraph (a) by the elected council of the local authority is a reserved function.]

66D. F103[Publication of local economic and community plans

66D.— As soon as may be after the making of a Plan under section 66C, a copy of it—

• (a) shall be made available at the principal offices of the local authority and on its internet website,

• (b) shall be furnished to the Minister, and

• (c) may be inspected by any member of the public during normal opening hours, and purchased at a price not exceeding the reasonable cost of reproduction.]

66E. F104[Implementation of the economic elements of local economic and community plans

66E.— (1) Without prejudice to the implementation of the community elements of the Plan in accordance with section 128B, each local authority shall—