COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRIORITY

Local Communities Providing Solutions to Local Problems

Are you interested in?

• Improving the facilities and services in your area.

• Becoming involved in Local decision making.

• Improving good relations in your area

• Contributing to a community or local group.

• Leading a community or local group.

Would you like help?

For further information please contact:

Peace III Community Engagement Team

Banbridge District Council

Civic Building

Downshire Road

Banbridge

BT32 3JY

Tel:                 028 406 20242

 E-Mail:          peaceIII@banbridge.gov.uk 

Summary of Priority Objectives

The Southern Cluster Partnership, which consists of the Council areas of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry & Mourne along with Louth and Monaghan, has developed a number of priorities under the Theme 1.1 ‘Building Positive Relations at the Local Level’.  Banbridge District Council is responsible for the delivery of the Community Engagement Priority.

Following a scoping study which involved a consultation process with the Statutory, Voluntary and Community Sectors the following four main objectives were agreed;

Objective 1

To facilitate increased community engagement activity with groups / areas not currently engaged in local decision making processes

Action:

Pilot 4 community engagement initiatives, one in each Council area

Objective 2

To enhance the skills of a minimum of 64 individuals from the community to engage in local decision making processes

Action:

Development of a community engagement training programme with a menu of training options which will be targeted at individuals across the cluster

Objective 3

To develop the capacity and confidence of a minimum of 16 community groups to better engage in local decision making processes

Action:

One to one mentoring support & tailored training programme for local community groups

Objective 4:

To increase opportunities in each Council area for structured community engagement with all statutory bodies

Action:

Support for formalised mechanisms for interagency meetings with local communities