Which entity is mainly responsible for local governance in Northern Ireland?

Local councils are primarily responsible for local governance in Northern Ireland. They oversee a range of community services and local affairs, including planning, waste management, and local economic development. Each council is made up of elected representatives who are tasked with making decisions that directly affect the local community, allowing for governance that is more responsive to the specific needs and preferences of the residents.

While the Assembly plays a significant role in devolved government and shaping policies on a broader scale, and the central government sets national policies, it is the local councils that manage and execute local matters. The judiciary, on the other hand, is responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring justice, rather than actively governing at the local level. Collectively, this framework emphasizes how local councils function as the governing body closest to the people in Northern Ireland.