Local government in Northern Ireland: partnerships, minimalism and marginalisation

In 2015, a reformed local government system was introduced in Northern Ireland following a lengthy period of review. In the new dispensation, great emphasis is placed on the concept of partnership, vertically between the regional institutions and government departments, and horizontally between local councils and statutory organisations, through a process of community planning. Despite the importance placed on partnerships, they have received little attention in the governance of Northern Ireland. This article assesses recent changes in local government in comparison to Great Britain, Ireland or elsewhere. Through a theoretical framework on partnerships within the New Public Governance literature, the article evaluates the significance of local government reforms and possible further enhancement of powers. In illustrating the fundamental imbalance in the regional-local nexus, resulting in continued over-centralisation and a fragmented model of sub-regional governance, the article concludes that the system remains characterised by marginalised local government, with aspirations for partnership unfulfilled.