Schedule 7: Amendments to Part 9 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014
This Schedule is introduced by section 62.  The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 gave the Commissioner additional functions in respect of investigations into local government.  With the abolition of the office of the Commissioner, there is a need for consequential changes to the 2014 Act.  This Schedule contains those consequential amendments.  In broad terms, the consequential amendments fall into two categories.  Firstly, in exercising functions under Part 9 of 2014 Act the NIPSO is to be known as the Northern Ireland Local Government Commission for Standards and references to the Commissioner are now to be read as references to the NIPSO.  Secondly, in investigating local government matters, the NIPSO has powers contained in the 2014 Act along with other powers applying to those investigations contained in this Act.  Provision is also made in the 2014 Act for adjudication hearings and related powers, the publication of reports on the NIPSO’s website and consultation and cooperation with the C&AG and the local government auditor.