Mid Ulster District Council has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Planning Portal system having identified an alternative they believe is more cost effective.
The withdrawal was disclosed during a meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council who confirmed costs borne by each of the 10 remaining councils will be adjusted upwards to absorb the loss.
Chief Executive Alison McCullagh disclosed that Mid Ulster Council had decided on a different approach, which some members felt merited further discussion. This was voted down leaving one councillor “baffled” as there may be ratepayer savings in the alternative option.
The Planning Portal was introduced to streamline the applications system, making it more transparent and accessible.
With the current contact about to expire the Department for Infrastructure and all 11 councils were working on a replacement. It was agreed to award this at a cost of £40 million, of which £18 million would be split evenly among councils.
But Ms McCullagh told members: “There are now 10 as opposed to 11 councils participating. The impact means rises in revenue costs from 9.49% to 10.66 %, and in capital cost of £90,000. It is recommended we continue with this on a collaborative approach, albeit on a revised basis.”
Democratic Unionist Councillor Errol Thompson said Mid Ulster “showed commitment at the start”, and proposed moving with 10 councils, which was passed unanimously.
Asked if Mid Ulster gave reasons for withdrawing, Ms McCullagh replied: “We are not privy to that information. I understand their preference is to go independently.”
Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh, Independent remarked: “We need to know why Mid Ulster withdrew, what is their alternative and how it works? Are they going to save money? Do we have any guarantee other councils won’t pull out and increase the burden to ratepayers? If one council is going out, I don’t know why we wouldn’t take a little time to consider our options.”
Ms McCullagh explained: “The strongest option by far was a collaborative approach... Mid Ulster indicated at the start they may have a preference to go independently. It’s not entirely unexpected.”
She assured appropriate financial provision has been made, adding “All other councils remain fully committed”.
The department required an immediate response due to procurement deadlines, so delay was not possible.
Sinn Féin councillor Chris McCaffrey said: “I still think a collaborative approach is more cost effective.”
Councillor Emmet McAleer, Independent enquired if Mid Ulster could re-join if their system proves dissatisfactory.
Ms McCullagh advised that “formal and final confirmation” is needed so there is no opportunity to re-join.
Councillor McAleer proposed contacting Mid Ulster to ascertain their reasoning and logic, which was seconded by Councillor Eamon Keenan, Independent.
Sinn Féin councillor Anne Marie Donnelly said: “What Mid Ulster have decided to do is irrelevant. We are committed.”
Party colleague Councillor Tommy Maguire commented: “I’m at a loss as to why we would request the thought processes of another council. It doesn’t see very professional.”
SDLP councillor Mary Garrity wished Mid Ulster well, but warned: “It’s very risky.”
Ulster Unionist councillor Alex Baird said: “It’s rather unfortunate Mid Ulster have broken ranks... Were they ever to want back in, they would have to compensate us.”
The proposal fell with a vote of four in favour and 35 against.
Concluding, councillor McAleer commented: “I find it very strange councillors are against finding out something that potentially – it might not – but could save ratepayers quite a substantial amount of money. It’s baffling why so many voted against.”
After the meeting, the department was asked when it had first been made aware of Mid Ulster’s withdrawal, what reason was provided and if the alternative is formally approved.
A spokesperson said: “The department and the 11 local councils have been working together to consider how best to replace the existing Northern Ireland Planning Portal (NIPP). This collaborative approach enabled all of us to agree an Outline Business Case for a new Regional Planning IT System and to start the procurement for this new IT System.
"Mid Ulster Council had expressed that they would potentially follow an alternative approach and they informed the department on 28 May of their formal council decision that they will not be participating in the regional solution, having decided instead to procure a separate system. That decision is a matter for the council and there is no formal approval role for the department.
"We have informed the remaining 10 councils of Mid Ulster’s decision and the financial implications, which are relatively minor, for each of them. The sign-off of the contract for a regional Planning IT System is anticipated later this month. Any potential return to the regional planning system by Mid Ulster would be a contractual matter at that time.”
