The Newry Mourne and Down District Council area has led the way in setting up its community planning function by holding inaugural meetings across the district.
Public meetings in Rowallane, Downpatrick and Slieve Croob District Electoral Forums (DEA) have been held, attracting over 220 attendees who were keen to learn more about the structure and work of their local forums.
Rowallane DEA Chairman, Councillor Billy Walker kicked off the public meetings on Tuesday evening in The Market House, Ballynahinch which was very well supported by the community. Those in attendance were advised that the Council now had responsibility for community planning and development of the Council’s Community Plan 2016-2030. Cllr Walker explained: “In order to ensure local people could contribute to this process the Council had established seven DEA Fora and would soon be seeking eight nominations from local networks from the community, voluntary and business sectors to sit as a representative on the Forum along with local agencies.
“The way forward for the DEA’s is to keep them formal and relaxed. We need to ensure we get suitable nominations for the right candidates from the community, voluntary and business sectors. This new community planning process will make a dramatic change to our communities and the way we have been doing things to date.
“It is important that we ensure a fair selection process and for that reason I am delighted that NICVA is to objectively oversee this part of it.”
On Wednesday night the Downpatrick Forum led by their DEA Chairman, Councillor Colin McGrath held their first meeting in the Ballymote Centre with a large crowd in attendance. At each of the public meetings, Sector Matters from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) outlined the benefits to networks of joining their local DEA. They highlighted the need for groups to be able to represent a network of groups other than just their own to ensure as wide a representation as possible on the forum.
Councillor McGrath welcomed everyone to the meeting and said: “It is important for all of the local community and voluntary groups to be able to feed in to this new process to shape the way forward for the area.
“The new DEA system represents a dramatic change in the way we will be managing our communities. Groups and networks will have a voice in Council through the conduit of the local DEA. They will be able to feed their thoughts and views into Council. The community appointments will be valid to 2018.
“Each DEA will elect eight community representatives who will work in partnership with the local councillors for their area and a number of key agencies.
“The overall DEA forum can shape the way forward for the next 15 or 20 years. We have dedicated officers for each DEA and the partnership between councillors, the community and the agencies will be a productive one.”
Annsborough Community Centre was the venue for the Slieve Croob public meeting which was led by DEA Chairman, Councillor Stephen Burns. Once again a large crowd turned up with many of those present coming from Finnis, Leitrim and Ballyward who had previously been governed by the Legacy Banbridge Council. The meeting provided them with an opportunity to learn about Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s approach to community planning and how they could become actively involved.
Councillor Stephen Burns, Chairman of the Slieve Croob DEA said: “It is realy great to see people getting involved in this community planning process and starting to understand the structures and procedures. It is quite complicated and will take time to unfold to see the real potential of it all.
“It is about building capacity in our communities, about community engagement, and we will need to get used to constant engagement and partnershop working. I’m sure the key to this process succeeding is planning small wins while we are looking at the bigger strategic issues.”
Following each of the DEA public meetings PEACE IV Officers undertook a consultation and information session outlining the levels of European funding available to groups and the categories into which projects must fall to attract a grant.
Feedback received at the public meetings demonstrated how successful they were and gave residents the chance to meet their local DEA Forum members, find out why the DEA Fora were established and learn about the process for nominating community representatives. Going forward DEA Forums will provide communities with a voice in local Government and will give them the opportunity to participate in discussions and operate as part of the decision making process.
Further public meetings will be held throughout the year to ensure ongoing, effective community consultation and engagement so if you missed the first meeting, make sure to get yourself along to the next one and have your voice heard.
Interested parties are encouraged to keep a close eye on the press and social media in the near future as nominations will be sought from established networks of groups representing the community, voluntary and business sectors throughout the district to sit on the Forum.
If you require any further information or have any questions in relation to the DEA Forum in your area please contact the relevant officer listed below:
DEA Coordinator Contact Details
Rowallane
Ellen Brennan
ellen.brennan@nmandd.org
07973704917
Downpatrick
David Patterson
david.patterson@nmandd.org
07971 567894
Slieve Croob
Priscilla McAlinden
priscilla.mcalinden@nmandd.org
07817 531876
Slieve Gullion
Kate Bingham
kate.bingham@nmandd.org
02830 839666
Crotlieve
Suzanne Rice
suzanne.rice@nmandd.org
07793 883664
Newry
Kerri Morrow
kerri.morrow@nmandd.org
028 3031 3065
The Mournes
Kathleen Magee
kathleen.magee@nmandd.org
07816 326360
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Upcoming public DEA meetings
at 6.45pm.
Tuesday, 1 March 2016 – Bessbrook Community Centre
Wednesday, 2 March 2016 – Ballyholland Community Centre
Thursday, 3 March 2016 – Newry Arts Centre
Monday, 8 March 2016 – St Marys Hall, Newcastle
