Community Plan Receives Its First Review

Community Planning for Newry Mourne and Down District took a major step forward on Thursday 15 September when the Community Planning Partnership Board met at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council offices in Downpatrick to review the first draft of the new Community Plan for the district.

Members of the Strategic Community Planning Board   pictured at the Downshire Civic Centre.
Members of the Strategic Community Planning Board pictured at the Downshire Civic Centre.

The Plan seeks to address the key issues raised by district residents and provides a guide for all agencies and sectors to work together to address these issues.

The Community Planning Partnership Board is made up of Chief Executives and senior staff from key statutory agencies such as NI Housing Executive, Invest NI, PSNI as well as representatives from the health sector, the education sector, community and voluntary sectors plus local Councillors.

The Board members agreed to commit to addressing the issues raised by local people and to work together to make Newry Mourne and Down District a better place to live, work and visit.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick is chairperson of the Partnership Board. Commenting after the meeting, Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “I am delighted with the commitment made by all Community Planning Partnership Board members to the Community Plan process to make a real difference in the lives of the people in our district.”

“This is the first step on a collective journey that will involve and unite district residents, together with the Council and other partner members, to achieve common goals outlined in the plan”

A consultation process is currently being arranged so that district residents can have their say on the draft plan.