Northern Ireland's councils have demanded ‘more respect' from central Government but are wary of becoming dependent on a financial settlement.

Speaking to The MJ following council elections, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), Alison Allen, said the organisation wanted to improve the balance of ‘respectful central-local relationships,' adding: ‘When we observe what takes place in the rest of the UK… I think we have much to do in that area.'