The difficulties facing councils and their communities in Northern Ireland are ‘turning into a perfect storm ahead' according to a senior local government policy officer representing  all 11 councils.

Speaking to The MJ yesterday, head of policy and governance for the Northern  Ireland  Local Government Association (NILGA) Karen Smyth said the combination of  Brexit, next Spring's withdrawal  of welfare reform support in Northern Ireland and the lack of devolved  government  were some of the factors pushing the region towards a crisis.