Guidance

Plan for Neighbourhoods: List of powers - Northern Ireland

Updated 27 May 2025

The Plan for Neighbourhoods brings together residents, business leaders, and community leaders to begin to fix the foundations and take back control of their futures. To do this, places need to make the most of all the powers and tools they have available.

As part of designing a Regeneration Plan, we expect all Neighbourhood Boards, in partnership with their local authority, to demonstrate how they are using powers, where they apply.

The list of powers covers Northern Ireland. It does not extend to Scotland or Wales. List of powers for each nation have been published separately.

Recognising that Northern Ireland Executive departments are responsible for the levers of delivery for many of the programme’s ‘pre-approved interventions’, this list highlights relevant departments in the use of these powers. Boards should ensure that interventions are aligned with departmental priorities and policies and may wish to do so directly via NI Executive representatives on Boards or via their usual Department for Communities Local Government Division point of contact.

Regeneration, high streets and heritage

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

The Business Improvement Districts Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 allows for the creation of BIDs. A BID allows businesses within a defined area to vote for collective investment in specific additional services in order to improve the commercial environment within that area. It is not intended to replace public investment in the area; instead, additional services or projects are funded by a local business levy. All businesses within a potential BID area have the opportunity to vote on proposals before the levy is imposed. Proposals are developed by local business-led partnerships, usually in co-operation with the local council. More information about the regulation can be found here: Business Improvement Districts Regulations (PDF, 1013KB).

Areas that are interested in a BID work with local businesses and stakeholders, including the local authority to establish if a BID is the right model to use for improving the location.

Conservation Area Management Proposals (Department for Communities)

The Planning Act (NI) 2011 sets out a number of conservation principles. Historic environment is seen as central to Northern Ireland’s cultural heritage, providing individuals with a sense of place, identity and wellbeing. It is considered a resource to be protected, conserved and, where possible, enhanced for the benefit of present and future generations. Conservation principles are set out in this document: HED Conservation Principles - Guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment in Northern Ireland (PDF, 1128KB).

Permitted Development Rights

The main purpose of the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 is to grant planning permission for certain classes of development under Part 3 of the Planning Act (NI) 2011. Minor changes can be made without planning permission. For example, to fit an alarm or build walls/fences below a certain height. Permitted development rights are set out in the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015  and apply to select groups of potential developers such as householders, statutory undertakers and agricultural units.

Planning Obligations (Department for Infrastructure)

The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) consolidates some twenty separate policy publications into one document and sets out the Department for Infrastructure’s policy on important planning matters that should be addressed across Northern Ireland. It also provides the core planning principles to underpin delivery of the two-tier planning system with the aim of furthering sustainable development. It sets the strategic direction for councils to bring forward detailed operational policies within their new Local Development Plans. All information can be found here: Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland (SPPS).

Statutory Development Plans (Department for Communities)

Under the Planning Act (NI) 2011, each Council must prepare a development plan for their area in consultation with the local community. The aim of the plan is to make sure there is enough land available for the area’s housing, employment and community facilities, while protecting important landscape and environmental features.

Local Place Plans (Department for Communities)

Section 6 (4) of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 provides for a new plan led system meaning that the local development plan will be the primary consideration in the determination of applications. Local Development plans set out how the council area should look in the future by deciding what type and scale of development should be encouraged and where it should be located.

Since April 2015 responsibility for development plans transferred from the Department of the Environment (now Department for Infrastructure) to local councils. Each council is responsible for preparing a development plan for the council area, based on consultation with the local community.

Community Planning (Department for Communities)

A council must initiate and maintain, facilitate, and participate in, community planning for its district. Community planning for a district is a process by which the council and its community planning partners identify long-term objectives for improving:

• the social well-being of the district
• the economic well-being of the district
• the environmental well-being of the district

More information can be found here: Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (legislation.gov.uk)

Compulsory Purchase Powers

Through the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1973, compulsory purchase powers, including housing, planning, and roads can be used for a range of purposes. Compulsory purchase powers can be used to support delivery of a wide range of projects – both large and small – from comprehensive regeneration projects through to the refurbishment of individual vacant or derelict properties. 

Guidance on compensation arising out of a compulsory acquisition scheme for business, agricultural, residential property and road schemes can be found here: Compulsory purchase and compensation guidance.

Listing buildings (Department for Communities)

Listed Buildings are those designated through listing as being of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ under Section 80 of the Planning Act (NI) 2011. Department for Communities have published a book for owners of listed buildings which provides advice on looking after building and a guide to maintenance and repairs. More information can be found here: An owner’s guide: Listed historic buildings of Northern Ireland.

Building Preservation Notice (Department for Communities)

Through the Planning Act (NI) 2011, district councils have had the power to serve a ‘Building Preservation Notice’ (BPN), where it appears to a council that a building is of architectural or historic merit and is at risk of demolition or significant alteration.1 This discretionary power transferred from the former Department of the Environment (DOE), to district councils, under the Review of Public Administration transfer of functions agreement. To assist councils a good practice guide has been published.

Listed Building Repairs Notice (Department for Communities)

Listed Building Consent is required for any work that will alter the character of the building. This includes works to the interior as well as the exterior of the listed building as defined in Section 85 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Funding applications in respect of a change of use or alteration of a historic building will not be considered unless Listed Building Consent has been obtained. Any alterations and demolitions must conform to the scheme as stamped approved by the relevant planning authority under Listed Building Consent.

Reasonable professional fees applicable to the historic building element of works may be eligible for assistance under the current Historic Environment Fund scheme. To comply with the conditions of the Fund, for projects requiring architectural or structural work, which is anticipated to cost £10,000, or over, the department has introduced a requirement that this is designed and supervised by a conservation accredited professional.

Advice about the Historic Environment Fund can be found here: HED advisory standards.

Urgent Works Notice (Department for Communities)

This is a discretionary power which councils can deploy, when required, under Section 161 of the Planning Act (NI) 2011. An UWN is a direct way of securing repairs urgently necessary for the preservation of a listed building. More information can be found here: Guidance for Councils on urgent works notices.

Asset Transfer (Department for Communities)

The framework to support community asset transfer is set out in the Northern Ireland Community Asset Transfer guidance. Community Asset Transfer is a change in management and/or ownership of land or building, from public bodies to communities.

Waste management (NI Environment Agency)

NI Environment Agency are responsible for granting licences, setting conditions on licensing activities and monitoring site to ensure compliance with licence conditions. Under the Waste and Contaminated Land (NI) Order, a waste management licence is required to authorise the deposit, treating, keeping or disposal of controlled waste on any land, or treatment or disposal of controlled waste by means of mobile plant.

Pub, club and event licensing (Department for Communities)

The aim of licensing law is to try and strike a balance between the controls which are necessary for the protection of public health and the preservation of public order, the demand for individual freedom of choice and the opportunity for local businesses to continue to provide a high level of service to their customers, which will ensure that Northern Ireland has a more flexible and modern licensing framework to respond to changing expectations and lifestyles.

More information can be found here: Licensing and Registration of Clubs( Amendment) Act( NI) 2021 - Guide (PDF, 305KB).

General Power of Competence

Through the Localism Act and Local Government Act (NI) 2014, the General Power of Competence (GPC) gives councils the power to do anything an individual can do provided it is not prohibited by other legislation. It applies to all principal councils (district, county and unitary councils etc). It also applies to eligible parish and town councils.

In summary, the GPC enables councils to do things:

• an individual may generally do
• anywhere in the UK or elsewhere
• for a commercial purpose or otherwise, for a charge or without a charge
• without the need to demonstrate that it will benefit the authority, its area or persons resident or present in its area (although in practice councils will want to realise such benefits)

But there are some limitations on the General Power, either because they are not things which an individual can do or because they are excluded by the Act. The GPC will not:

• provide councils with new powers to raise tax or precepts or to borrow
• enable councils to set charges for mandatory services, impose fines or create offences or byelaws, over and above existing powers to do so
• override existing legislation in place before the Localism act 2011, so-called ‘pre-commencement limitations’ (however powers enacted after commencement of the GPC will only limit the GPC if this explicitly stated in the legislation)

More information can be found here: The general power of competence – empowering councils to make a difference and here: Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014

Housing

Introductory tenancy regimes and private sector housing grants (Department for Communities)

The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 is a piece of legislation that regulates tenant conduct and the operation of introductory tenancies. It also includes provisions for grants to renew private sector housing. And sets out the main functions of the NI Housing Executive.

Tenant participation and standard setting in social housing (Department for Communities)

Social Housing Reform Programme in NI ties in several strategies and frameworks to create a sustainable, tenant-focused social housing sector. This includes:

• a tenant participation strategy
• regulatory framework for social housing in NI
• a social housing rent policy

Standard, compliance and monitoring mechanisms to registered housing associations are set out in the Regulatory Framework for Registered Housing Associations.

Functions of the NI Housing Executive and the establishment of housing associations (Department for Communities)

The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 gave councils the power to make representations to the Department regarding recommendations made to the Council. The Department could then give directions to the Council in response. The order also gives the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and the Department for Communities various powers related to housing, including:

• Housing Need
• Housing Development
• Housing conditions
• Housing programs
• Housing Service
• Housing benefits

Financial assistance of private owners of ex-NI Housing Executive Homes (Department for Communities)

The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 facilitates the provision of financial assistance to certain private owners of dwellings which have been sold by NIHE or other certain public bodies which are defective by reason of their design or construction.

Homelessness provisions (Department for Communities)

The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 imposes a duty on NIHE in relation to persons who are found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness and empowers NIHE to make schemes for the purchase of houses evacuated in consequence of acts or threats of violence and for the carrying out of emergency repairs to houses. (SPED Scheme).

Grants for home maintenance and improvements (Department for Communities)

The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 provides for the payment of grants towards the cost of improvement and repair of housing accommodation, carrying out of works of maintenance, repair and improvement and the replacement of dwellings.

Force of Sale powers

The Property (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 is a piece of legislation that covers topics such as ground rents, freehold covenants, and leases.

In particular, this piece of legislation allows for the force of sale in NI via court order. This can be initiated if an interested party makes a request under the partitions act.

Work, productivity and skills

Powers to promote and encourage energy efficiency (Department for the Economy/Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

The Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 empowers the Department for the Economy to promote efficient energy use in industry and voluntary organisations, while also allowing DAERA to promote energy efficiency in residential housing and public bodies.

Cohesion

Note: The main piece of legislation covering community cohesion in Northern Ireland is Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which imposes a statutory duty on public authorities in Northern Ireland to promote equality of opportunity and good relations, encompassing religious belief, political opinion, gender, race, disability, age, marital status, dependants and sexual orientation. Community Cohesion objectives are delivered via two main strategies:

Community Involvement and Cohesion Strategy (Housing Executive, ALB of Department for Communities)

The strategy centres on engaging, enabling, and embracing communities to promote and strengthen involvement, and to encourage them to embrace community cohesion. Aims to strengthen social bonds, reduce inequalities, and foster a climate of acceptance and understanding, focusing on engaging communities to influence and shape services, and promoting community cohesion within and between communities.    

Together: Building a United Community (The Executive Office)

Aims to foster good relations and a shared society by outlining how government, communities, and individuals can work together, focusing on four key priorities: our children and young people, our shared community, our safe community, and our cultural expression.  

Charity annual reporting and funding powers (Department for Communities)

The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 established the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and made significant changes to charity law in the region. The Act also regulated fund-raising and misconduct in charities, presided over by the Charities Commission, which DfC has overall responsibility for.

This act significantly changed the C&V landscape in Northern Ireland, allowing DfC to deliver funding directly to C&V organisations through initiatives such as:

• Social Capital Loan Scheme
• Regional Infrastructure Support Programme
• Voluntary & Community Sector Support Scheme

Health and wellbeing

Safeguarding Boards

The Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 established a regional “Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland” (SBNI) with the primary function of coordinating and ensuring effectiveness across various organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including developing policies, procedures, and training frameworks to achieve this goal; it also created five local “Safeguarding Panels” within each Health and Social Care Trust area to support the SBNI’s work at a local level.

Consultation of patients, families, carers and communities in health and social care

The Health and Social Care Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 established the legislative framework for the new health and social care structures in Northern Ireland, outlining the functions of various health and social care bodies and promoting collaboration and partnership-working for integrated patient services.  The Act places a statutory requirement on HSC organizations to involve and consult patients, families, carers, and local communities in planning, delivering, and evaluating services. General duties and powers of the department are also highlighted in this piece of legislation

Local Commissioning Groups

The Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 primarily focuses on dissolving the Regional Health and Social Care Board, transferring its functions, continuing Local Commissioning Groups, establishing bodies for local areas, and transferring assets and liabilities.

Development of health strategies with the NI Civil Service

The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 requires the relevant NICS department to co-operatively develop objectives with local authorities in council community planning strategies, this includes the department of health in relation to establishing health and well-being outputs.

Transport

Bus services

The main purpose of the Transport Bill (NI) 2010 is to “create an effective, efficient and sustainable public transport system that contributes to the Executives transportation, environmental, social inclusion and equality objectives”, effectively modernising the public transport system in Northern Ireland so that it is both fit for purpose and available to all those who wish to use it.

Clauses 18 to 21 deal with the separation of bus operator and bus service licensing. More information can be found here: The Transport Bill (2010) (niassembly.gov.uk) (PDF, 289KB).

Street design and road improvements

Through the Private Streets (NI) Order 1980, developers are responsible for undertaking a Transport Assessment for a proposed development or re-development. Each proposal will require completion of a Transport Assessment Form as part of the planning application to demonstrate how the development would function in transport terms and to identify any possible adverse impacts.

More information can be found here: [Development control - information for developers

Department for Infrastructure](https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/development-control-information-developers).

Power to control occupations of the footway

Set out in the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983, Councils have a duty to:

• assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction any public right of way
• make and preserve maps of the rights of way in its area
• signpost paths, where necessary, to help anyone who does not know the area
• contribute at least a quarter of the cost of maintaining stiles and gates

Councils have a right to:

• maintain any public right of way
• set up new rights of way by agreement
• make orders to divert, extinguish or create paths, and confirm unopposed orders
• make and confirm orders temporarily to divert or close any public right of way
• allow the erection of new stiles and gates
• take legal proceedings

Duty to Coordinate Works (Department for Infrastructure)

The Street Works (NI) Order 1995 spells out the objectives of the coordination function. They are:

• in the interests of safety
• to minimise inconvenience to people using a street, including a specific reference to people with a disability
• to protect the structure of the street and the integrity of the apparatus in it

It is essential that these objectives are taken into account by everyone responsible for planning and carrying out works in streets.

Information on coordinating works can be found here: Northern Ireland Road Authority and Utilities Committee (NIRAUC) - Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Works for road purposes and related matters (PDF, 3.3MB)

Power to control traffic on roads (Department for Infrastructure)

Under the Road Traffic Regulation (NI) Order 1996, traffic management are responsible for implementing a range of measures and procedures to help all road users move safely and efficiently on the existing road network through the introduction and control of speed limits, waiting restrictions, traffic signing and road markings.

Pavement parking and double parking

Rule 244 in the Highway Code NI states: “DO NOT park partially or wholly on the footway or footpath unless signs permit it. Parking on the footway or footpath can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.” The department’s road safety and sustainable travel social media channels regularly post reminders about this rule.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has powers to enforce against a vehicle found to be causing a general obstruction under Regulation 119 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 or found obstructing the access to premises under Article 5c of the Roads (Restriction of Waiting) Order (Northern Ireland) 1982.

With the exception of heavy commercial vehicles (Article 30 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995), there is no single piece of legislation that prohibits vehicles from parking on footways; however, where there are parking restrictions, these apply to both the carriageway and footway, and consequently the department can carry out enforcement action against vehicles parked in contravention of such restrictions.

The department has powers to introduce footway parking bans. There are a number of locations where the department has prohibited footway or verge parking in response to localised problems caused by vehicles either being parked on the footway or causing damage to the verge.

Low emission zones (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Monitoring of air quality is carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and by district councils. Data from some of our monitoring sites is fed into the UK network and provides for quality assurance and quality control of the data as well as analysis and comparison in a national context.

The EU Air Quality Directives are transposed in Northern Ireland by the Air Quality Standards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. These regulations place a duty on NI government departments to monitor levels of air pollutants specified in the Air Quality Directives, and ensure compliance with limit values for these pollutants. District councils have a duty to review and assess air quality within their districts, under Part III of The Environment Order (NI) 2002.

Powers to engage, develop travel plans and create active travel infrastructure (Department for Infrastructure)

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Act of Travel is a law in Northern Ireland that requires the DfI to develop transport plans that prioritise active travel. The law was part of the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act 2022. 

Safety and security

Anti-Social Behaviour (Department for Communities, Department for Justice)

Set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour (NI) Order 2004, the term antisocial behaviour (ASB) describes different types of nuisance behaviour. The behaviour might not be a criminal offence but can affect quality of life for people and communities.

Local councils can investigate:

• noise nuisance
• disputes about high hedges
• litter and illegal dumping
• graffiti
• fly posting
• dog fouling
• dog nuisance
• stray dogs
• abandoned vehicles

The Housing Executive is responsible for investigating:

• noisy or disruptive tenants
• neglected dwellings/gardens
• using premises for illegal purposes
• using premises for business purposes
• neighbourhood disputes

Some antisocial behaviour is criminal activity. The police will investigate

• motoring offences
• drunken and rowdy behaviour in a public place
• criminal damage
• assaults
• theft
• intimidation
• harassment
• drug use/dealing
• hate crime

Dispersal Orders (Department for Communities/Department of Justice)

Also from the Anti-Social Behaviour (NI) Order 2004, Dispersal Orders can be used by the police to designate areas, in consultation with the local authority, where there has been significant, continuous and serious antisocial behaviour, and the presence or behaviour of groups is contributing to problems.

In the designated area, the police will have the power to disperse groups of two or more people or individuals within groups where their presence or behaviour is causing, or is likely to cause, distress to the public.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) (Department for Communities)

Antisocial behaviour orders can be used to stop anyone aged 10 or over from harassing, causing alarm or distress to other people who aren’t in the same household. An order can be issued for at least 2 years and lists what they must stop doing.

The council, housing executive or the police can apply for an ASBO to the magistrates’ court to protect people in the community from anti-social acts.

Noise nuisance powers (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Noise complaints are investigated under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011. This legislation enables the Council to deal with a noise disturbance if they think it is causing a nuisance to a person, or people living nearby.

There is no specific level of noise that constitutes a noise nuisance. When considering whether or not a noise nuisance exists, the Council will consider the loudness of the noise, when the noise occurs, how often the noise occurs, the effect on the person affected by the noise and the likely reaction of the average person to the noise. If the Council is satisfied that a noise nuisance exists, they will serve a Noise Abatement notice on the person responsible for making the noise, requesting them to minimise it. Non-compliance with the noise abatement notice can result in formal action in the magistrate’s court.

When Environmental Health Officers are considering if something is a statutory nuisance or not, they are applying the objective standards set out by legal precedent rather than what someone might consider to be a ‘nuisance’ or ‘annoyance’ in everyday language. Just because someone might consider a noise to be a ‘nuisance’ or ‘annoyance’, does not necessarily mean that it may be a statutory nuisance. As such, Environmental Health do not have powers to take formal action in such instances.

District councils have specific powers to deal with noise at night from domestic premises. These powers allow council officers to issue warning notices and fixed penalty notices. If you fail to keep to a warning notice, you could face prosecution and, if convicted, be fined up to £1000. Fixed penalty notices for an amount of £100 may be issued instead of prosecution.

Fixed penalty notices (FPNs)

Contained in the Road Traffic Fixed Penalty Regulations (NI) 1997 and the Traffic Management (NI) Order 2005, Fixed Penalty Notices are a fine for a motoring offence. Information can be found here: Road Traffic Fixed Penalty (Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 & The Traffic Management (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

Environmental Orders (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Act (2021) brings into force a range of environmental measures, including a new legal framework for environmental governance and accountability.

The key elements of this framework are statutory duties on DAERA to publish an Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), issue a policy statement on environmental principles, and the extension of the remit of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to include Northern Ireland.

Housing antisocial behaviour notices (Department of Communities)

In September 2004 the department issued a directive under Article 10 of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, requiring the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to publish:

• a Statement of Policies and Procedures on Anti-Social Behaviour and
• a Summary of Policies and Procedures on Anti-Social Behaviour

This directive has been superseded by Article 27A of the Housing (NI) Order 2003 as inserted by Section 10 of the Housing (Amendment) Act (NI) 2010.

Part II of the Housing (NI) Order 2003 was designed to extend powers to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour in local communities. It provides for Introductory Tenancies and includes measures for developing the use of injunctions and extending the grounds for possession. In addition, Part IV of the 2003 Order provides for persons who are unsuitable to be tenants because of their unacceptable behaviour to be treated as ineligible for housing accommodation or homelessness assistance.

The Anti-Social Behaviour (NI) Order 2004 enables the Housing Executive, District Councils and the PSNI to apply to the courts for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). Housing Associations are not empowered to apply for ASBOs but can apply to the above relevant authorities to issue ASBOs on their behalf.

The Housing (Amendment) Act (NI) 2010 has also amended the grounds for possession set out in Schedule 3 to the Housing (NI) Order 1983 to provide that a conviction for any offence which involves the use of a dwelling house for illegal or immoral purposes will be grounds for possession.

The Housing (Amendment) Act (NI) 2011 provides for social landlords to withhold consent to an exchange of tenancies where an order or injunction relating to anti-social behaviour is in place; where an application for an order or injunction is pending before any court and where the tenant or proposed assignee, or person residing with either of them, has been convicted in connection with an offence which involves the use of the tenant or assignee’s home for immoral or illegal purposes, or has been convicted of an indictable offence.

The department has a statutory duty under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Section 75(2) to ‘promote good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group’.

The Housing Executive currently appends a ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement to their tenancy agreements. This document refers to the conduct that is expected from each tenant as well as incorporating community safety and shared neighbourhood principles. This is a standalone document and is a voluntary charter that is additional to the legal tenancy agreement.

Licensing (Department for Communities)

In Northern Ireland, alcohol may only be sold to the public in licensed premises. The Licensing (NI) Order 1996 specifies the categories of premises for which a licence may be granted. Private Members’ clubs which wish to supply alcohol to members and guests may apply for a certificate of registration under the Registration of Clubs (NI) Order 1996.

The Licensing and Regulation of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 made changes to the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. 

The key changes include:

• pubs and hotels can apply to open until 2am up to 104 nights per year
• smaller pubs can apply to open to 1am up to 104 nights per year
• drinking-up time has been increased to 1 hour
• all additional restrictions on opening hours over Easter weekend have been removed
• opening hours on Sunday evenings are now the same as any other night
• there is potential for flexibility around opening hours for bars at major events
• a new category of licence has been created for local producers of craft beers, ciders and spirits
• cinemas are able to apply for a liquor licence and serve drink to customers watching a movie
• sporting clubs are now able to use their grounds for functions up to 6 times per year;
• registered clubs can apply to open to 1am up to 104 nights per year
• self-service of alcohol and sales by vending machines are prohibited
• restrictions have been placed on off-sales drinks promotions
• loyalty schemes cannot award and redeem points for the sale of alcoholic drinks

Excessive barking (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (NI) 2011, individuals can complain about excessive barking to the dog warden at their council. The district council may seek to resolve the problem by mediating between you and the complainants, but where it does not do so, or where such mediation is unsuccessful, and the Council Officer is satisfied that the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance, it will serve you with an abatement notice requiring the noise to be reduced to an acceptable level.

If you fail to keep to an abatement notice, you could face prosecution and, if convicted, a fine of up to £5,000 (and possibly further daily fines of up to £500 for each day on which the offence continues after conviction).

Firework licensing

If you want to buy, possess and use fireworks (except indoor fireworks and sparklers), in Northern Ireland you must have a valid fireworks licence. Fireworks offences carry a maximum fine of £5,000 or a three-month prison sentence, or both. You can find out more about fireworks and the law at the following links Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015

Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (Department of Justice)

The Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 established Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs). PCSPs are local bodies that work to improve community safety by focusing on local issues. In short, allows councils, through community participation to highlight issues at a local level for police service to pursue. There were 11 of these partnerships established, one for each council area in NI.

• PCSPs work to improve community safety by focusing on local issues
• PCSPs work to address issues like antisocial behaviour, drug or alcohol misuse, and re-offending
• PCSPs work to build safer communities by involving the public in identifying and defining problems

Education and opportunity

Responsibility for protection of Children (Department of Health)

The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 is the primary legislation governing child protection in Northern Ireland, establishing the framework for parental responsibilities, rights of children, and the duties of public authorities (mainly health & social care trusts) to support and protect children at risk of harm, including provisions for emergency protection orders, accommodation, and investigations into a child’s circumstances; essentially placing the child’s welfare as the paramount consideration in all decisions regarding their upbringing. District Councils are responsible for drafting and releasing child protection plans/strategies.

Uniting public services in the protection of children

The NI Executive strategy uniting public services in protection of children requires government departments and agencies to work together to improve the well-being of children and young people in Northern Ireland. The strategy is tied to the Children’s Service Co-operation Act 2015.

The Act allows departments and agencies to pool resources to deliver services. Including those of district councils and health & social care trusts.