Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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269. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the detail of the legislation governing strategic policy committees, known as corporate policy groups, within local authorities [13120/22]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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270. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are specific legislative or regulatory provisions governing the membership and attendance of strategic policy committees, known as corporate policy groups; and if so, if he will outline the provisions. [13121/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

Local authorities are independent statutory bodies with their own democratically elected councils and management structures. The establishment and operation of strategic policy committees (SPCs) and corporate policy groups (CPGs) are reserved functions of local authorities.

Part 7 and Schedule 10, paragraphs 17, 18 and 19, of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, set out the provisions for the establishment and operation of local authority committees. The provisions for the formation and operation of CPGs are as set out under section 133 of the 2001 Act.

Section 54(2) of the 2001 Act allows me to issue general policy guidelines for the purpose of any provision of Part 7 and states that local authorities shall comply with any such guidelines. Guidelines entitled "Corporate Policy Groups and Strategic Policy Committees: Guidelines for establishment and operation" issued to local authorities on 29 May 2014 under circular LG 07/2014.

The circular and guidelines are available on Gov.ie at the link below: www.gov.ie/en/circular/1d064-circular-lg-072014-establishment-of-new-strategic-policy-committees-spcs-and-corporate-policy-group-strategic-policy-committee-guidance/.