PCSP Establish Funding and Engagement Committees

Councillor Willie Clarke elected as Chairman of the PCSP[/caption] Speaking after the meeting Councillor Carmel O’Boyle said: “The work of the Partnership continues to grow and we are being asked to develop ways forward and solutions to a large number of local safety concerns.  As the work of the PCSP expands so also must our structures and for this reason we have agreed to establish two new working Committees to deal with issues around funding for projects and community engagement. “This will bring our total number of Committees to five, including the Policing Committee, Bonfire Liaison Committee and the Community Safety Network, all of which provide updates and reports to the main strategic body.  We are very busy but this is an indication that we are making an impact locally and that communities have confidence that we are working tirelessly to meet community need.  The Partnership has chosen two very competent and capable Committee Chairpersons to progress this body of work and I would like to put on record my support and best wishes to both Councillor Willie Clarke and Councillor Mickey Coogan.” “Speaking after his election as Engagement Committee Chairperson, Councillor Clarke stated, “I am very pleased to be elected a Committee Chairperson and want to reassure the community and the PCSP that I take this new role very seriously. Our engagement approach will include a greater emphasis on being visually seen on the ground in communities, hearing first hand from residents the community safety issues that are having the greatest negative impact on their lives. [caption id="attachment_38648" align="alignright" width="259"] Councillor Mickey Coogan has been elected to the PCSP Funding Committee.[/caption] “PCSP Engagement has to be relevant, it has to be focused but above all it has to make a difference to policing in communities that is tangible.  The Engagement strategy has to reach hard to reach groups who are isolated and disillusioned with policing.  I would encourage any community group or representative who is concerned about any safety issue to get in touch and we will come out to discuss and plan a way forward in a partnership.” Councillor Michael Coogan said: “I am delighted to be elected as Chairperson of the new Funding Committee. The key aim of this committee is to explore funding opportunities available and to bring investment into the Down District area to make it a safer place. The Partnership roll out a wide range of community safety initiatives and we are finding that we are being asked to work in more areas and with more groups and we hope further funding will allow us to expand these initiatives. “The Down District Council area has numerous active community groups wanting to set up projects to address problems such as anti-social behaviour or simply make their area a safer place to live in. Hopefully we will be able to signpost groups to further funding and allow the groups to grow.  In short the more money we can attract into the District, the more groups we will be able to help.”]]>