Review of the Schedule to the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016

Overview

Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 requires Public Authorities to have due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans and when designing and delivering public services. The Public Authorities to which Section 1(1) applies are those bodies and persons listed in the Schedule to the Act.

Section 1(3) of the Act requires DAERA to review the list of bodies and persons set out in the Schedule at least every three years and, if it thinks it appropriate, by Order to amend the Schedule. DAERA is seeking views to inform the review of the list of bodies and persons set out in the Schedule.

Please note that the system can only accept a limited number of proposed amendments to the list of bodies and persons and therefore if you wish to provide more you should submit a separate consultation response in respect of the additional amendments.

Why we are consulting

The purpose of this consultation exercise is to inform the review of the list of bodies and persons set out in the Schedule to the Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 which is being undertaken by DAERA and is a requirement under section 1(3) of the Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. 

What happens next

DAERA will use the information from this consulatation to help inform its consideration on whether amendments to the list of bodies and persons set out in the Schedule to the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 are required.