Omagh District Council
Omagh District Council was a local council in Northern Ireland. It merged with Fermanagh District Council in April 2015 under local government reorganisation to become Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
| Omagh District | |
|---|---|
 Coat of Arms | |
 | |
| Area | 1,130 km2 (440 sq mi) Ranked 2nd of 26 |
| District HQ | Omagh |
| Catholic | 70.3% |
| Protestant | 27.4% |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Councillors |
|
| Website | www |
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Its headquarters was in the town of Omagh, which is the traditional county town of Tyrone. The council area was about 440 square miles (1,100 km2), making it the second largest local council area in Northern Ireland (by area) with a population of just over 50,000 (25,000 of whom lived in Omagh town). Apart from Omagh the area of the former District Council contains smaller towns including Drumquin, Dromore, Trillick, Fintona, Beragh, Carrickmore and Sixmilecross.
The council was established in 1973 and originally had 20 councillors but following a review of local government boundaries in the early 1980s, the number of councillors was increased to 21. Omagh District Council consisted of three electoral areas: Omagh Town, Mid Tyrone and West Tyrone.[1] In the last elections in 2011 members were elected from the following political parties: 10 Sinn Féin, 3 Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), 3 Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), 3 Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and 2 Independents. The election of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council took place annually in June.
2011 election results
| Party | seats | change +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • | Sinn Féin | 10 | = |
| • | Democratic Unionist Party | 3 | = |
| • | Ulster Unionist Party | 3 | = |
| • | Social Democratic and Labour Party | 3 | = |
| • | Independent | 2 | = |
2005 election results
| Party | seats | change +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • | Sinn Féin | 10 | +2 |
| • | Democratic Unionist Party | 3 | +1 |
| • | Ulster Unionist Party | 3 | = |
| • | Social Democratic and Labour Party | 3 | -3 |
| • | Independent | 2 | = |
In both the Westminster Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly, Omagh was completely contained within the West Tyrone constituency.
Review of Public Administration
Under the Review of Public Administration (RPA), the council was due to merge with Fermanagh District Council in 2011 to form a single council for the enlarged area totalling 2829 km² and a population of 105,479.[2] The next election was due to take place in May 2009, but on 25 April 2008, Shaun Woodward, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced that the scheduled 2009 district council elections were to be postponed until the introduction of the eleven new councils in 2011.[3]
Population
The former council area (especially Omagh town) has seen significant growth in the past few years, with the population rising by the most in years. Many housing estates and shopping areas have sprung up in recent times as well.
Population:
- 1982: 44,417
- 1992: 46,372
- 2002: 48,919
- 2004: 50,082
- Population Density – 44 per km²
- Home Ownership – 72%
- Unemployment – 4.5%
- Car Ownership (Households) – 75%
- 16–74 Population In Work – 56%
The area covered by Omagh District Council had a population of 51,536 residents according to the 2011 Northern Ireland census.[4]
Facilities
The council owned and ran the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh town centre.
See also
Local councils in Northern Ireland
References
- "Local Councillors". Strabane District Council. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
- "Minister Foster announces decisions on Local Government Reform". DoE. Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
- Northern Ireland elections are postponed, BBC News, 25 April 2008, accessed 27 April 2008
- "NI Census 2011 - Key Statistics Summary Report, September 2014" (PDF). NI Statistics and Research Agency. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
