Local government in Northern Ireland

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

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)

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.

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

District Electoral Areas (2012)

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.

No on map	District Electoral Area (2012)	Local Government District (2012)	No. of Wards/Cllrs	Wards	DEA population (2022)[4]	Density (/km2)	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	2.16
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

Composition of district councils

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		14		4		13		4		2												7		29		4		40
	19	5	2	14		7	3	9	4	4			2									1	1	9	2	23	6	8	4
	23	9	4	13	1	8	1	7	2	1	3											2	1	10	1	20	3	10	2
Ards & North Down	14			17		7		9		1		1		3						2				1		29		10		40
	19			14	3	10	3	8	1	1		1		3						2		1	1	1		25	4	14	4
	23			14		12	2	8		1			1	2	1					2		1		1		24	1	15	1
Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon	14	8		13				12		6										2				14		27				41
	19	10	2	11	2	3	3	10	2	6										1	1			16	2	22	5	3	3
	23	15	5	13	2	4	1	6	4	1	5	1	1							1				16		21	1	4	1
Belfast City	14	19		13		8		7		7		1		1		1				3				26		24		10		60
	19	18	1	15	2	10	2	2	5	6	1		1	4	3	3	2			2	1			24	2	19	5	17	7
	23	22	4	14	1	11	1	2		5	1	1	1	3	1	1	2	1	1		2			28	4	17	2	15	2
Causeway Coast & Glens	14	7		11		1		10		6		3						1		1				14		25		1		40
	19	9	2	14	3	2	1	7	3	6			3					1		1				16	2	22	3	2	1
	23	12	3	13	1	5	3	4	3	3	3	2	2						1	1				15	1	20	2	5	3
Derry City & Strabane	14	16		8				2		10								4						30		10		0		40
	19	11	5	7	1	2	2	2		11	1					2	2	5	1					27	3	9	1	4	4
	23	18	7	5	2		2	3	1	10	1					1	1	3	2					31	4	8	1	1	3
Fermanagh & Omagh	14	17		5				9		8								1						26		14		0		40
	19	15	2	5		1	1	9		5	3							4	3			1	1	24	2	14		2	2
	23	21	6	6	1	2	1	7	2	3	2							1	3				1	25	1	13	1	2
Lisburn & Castlereagh	14			20		7		8		3		1								1				3		30		7		40
	19	2	2	15	5	9	2	11	3	2	1		1	1	1						1			4	1	26	4	10	3
	23	4	2	14	1	13	4	6	5	2					1					1	1			6	2	21	5	13	3
Mid & East Antrim	14	3		16		3		9		1		5								3				4		33		3		40
	19	2	1	15	1	7	4	7	2	1		5								3				3	1	30	3	7	4
	23	4	2	14	1	7		8	1		1	5								2	1			4	1	29	1	7
Mid Ulster	14	18		8				7		6								1						25		15		0		40
	19	17	1	9	1			6	1	6								2	1					25		15		0
	23	19	2	11	2			2	4	5	1							3	1					27	2	13	2	0
Newry, Mourne & Down	14	14		4		2		3		14								2		2		1		30		8		3		41
	19	16	2	3	1	2		4	1	11	3							3	1	1	1	1		30		8		3
	23	20	1	5	2	5	3	1	3	8	4							2	1	0	1	0	1	30		6	2	5	2
Total	14	105		130		32		88		66		13		4		1		9		13		1		180		244		38		462
	19	105		122	8	53	21	75	14	59	7	6	7	8	4	5	4	15	6	10	3	4	3	179	1	213	31	70	32
	23	144	39	122		67	14	54	21	39	20	9	3	5	3	2	3	10	5	7	3	3	1	193	14	192	21	77	7
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

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.^[5]

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.^[6] 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

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:

• at least 18 years of age, and
• a Commonwealth of Nations or European Union citizen

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

The districts are combined for various purposes.

Eurostat NUTS level 3

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

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.^[7]

The education and skills functions were centralised into a single Education Authority for Northern Ireland in April 2015.^[8]

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

There were four health and social services boards which were replaced by a single Health and Social Care Board in April 2009.^[9]

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

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.^[10] In 2005 Peter Hain, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, announced proposals to reduce the number of councils to seven.^[11] The names and boundaries of the seven districts were announced in March 2007.^[12] In March 2008 the restored Northern Executive agreed to create eleven new councils instead of the original seven.^[13][14] 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.^[15] In June 2010 the proposed reforms were abandoned following the failure of the Northern Ireland Executive to reach agreement.^[16][17] 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.^[18]

See also

• List of districts in Northern Ireland by religion or religion brought up in
• List of districts in Northern Ireland by national identity
• Political make-up of local councils in Northern Ireland
• Local government in England
• Local government in Scotland
• Local government in Wales
• Local government in the Republic of Ireland

Tables relating to the old 26 council system

• List of districts in Northern Ireland by national identity

Notes

References

1. "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. NISRA (2021). "Northern Ireland DEAs by population".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
5. "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.
6. The Northern Ireland (Lieutenancy) Order 1975 (S.I. 1975 No.156)
7. 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
8. "Education Authority". Education Authority NI.
9. "Health and Social Board". Retrieved 19 March 2018.
10. "Review of Public Administration". Northern Ireland Executive. Retrieved 8 July 2010.^{[dead link‍]}
11. "Major reform of local government". BBC News. 22 November 2005. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
12. 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
13. "NI councils reduced from 26 to 11". BBC News. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
14. Foster announces the future shape of local government NI Executive, 13 March 2008 Archived 25 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
15. "Plan to cut Northern Ireland councils may be delayed until 2015". Belfast Telegraph. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
16. "The executive fails to agree a deal on council reform". BBC News. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
17. "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.
18. "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.

External links

• Local councils in Northern Ireland NI Direct (Archived)
• NI Local Government Association
• Review of Public Administration NI
• Local Government Boundaries Commissioner for Northern Ireland (Archived)
• Local Government DOE NI (Archived)
• Macrory Report CAIN Web Service (University of Ulster)
• Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 CAIN Web Service (University of Ulster)
• Northern Ireland Councillor's Handbook Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland (Archived)
• Map of all UK local authorities Office for National Statistics, 2009