Community planning

Department of Environment (DOE)

Paul Simpson - Telephone 028 9054 0001 (Internal 40001)

One of the most important new functions for local government as a result of the Review of Public Administration(RPA) is community planning.  In Northern Ireland there is currently no legislative requirement for local government to consult with organisations and communities to prepare a community plan.

The aim of community planning is to make sure that people and communities are genuinely engaged in decisions made about the public services which affect them. Allied to this is a commitment / duty by all those who deliver services in the council area to work together to provide co-ordinated, high-quality outcomes people rightly expect.  The drive for community planning should be seen in the context of the process to create more responsive and effective public services for citizens.

The sub-group on Community Planning was set up by the Local Government Taskforce in May 2006 to consider the implications and make recommendations on the introduction of Community Planning and the power of well being to Northern Ireland.

The Sub-group was chaired by Mr Tom McCall, Chief Executive Newry & Mourne District Council and comprised over 50 members, covering political representation, local government officers, the voluntary and community, rural, private and other key sectors along with Government Departments and other public agencies.

In the course of its work the sub group has looked at and considered the development of Community Planning in other jurisdictions including England and Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. In addition the sub-group made a study visit to Scotland in order to hear at first hand the issues related to both the introduction and ongoing nature of Community Planning processes.

Further information on progress on the cross-cutting theme of community planning, including recommendations on the DOE Taskforce, can be accessed on the DOE website.