Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for

Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for Change Three Conference

Report of Conference held on Friday 26 March 2010 in the Somme Heritage Centre, Newtownards May 2010

Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for Change Conference Contents Page 1. Background to the Conference .................................................................................................3 2. Welcome and Introductions......................................................................................................3 3. Transition Committee Overview ............................................................................................4 5. Community Involvement – Discussion Groups ....................................................................5 6. Closing Remarks.........................................................................................................................9 Appendix 1 – Conference Evaluation .............................................................................................10 Appendix 2 – Transition Committee Update.................................................................................12 Appendix 3 – Conference Participants............................................................................................15 Organised by:

Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for Change Three 2

Funded by:

1. Background to the Conference

The Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for Change Conference Three was a follow up to the initial conferences held in March and September 2009. This conference was organised by Ards Development Bureau and Community Network, East Down Rural Community Network and North Down Community Network in collaboration with Community Places. Community Places has compiled this report on behalf of the four organisations. It includes the main elements of the conference and an evaluation by participants.

2. Welcome and Introductions

Cathy Rice, Co-ordinator of Ards Development Bureau and Community Network opened the conference by thanking everyone for attending and introducing North Down Community Network, East Down Rural Community Network and Community Places as co-hosts of the conference. The aims of the conference, as outlined by Cathy, were:

• to provide up-to-date information on the work of the Transition Committee

which is responsible for setting up the new North Down and Ards District council; and

• to explore and identify the way forward for Local Community Planning.

Cathy updated the participants on the progress since the last conference back in September 2009. The main suggestion from participants at this event was the need for the three networks to work more closely together to ensure effective co-operation and communication across the North Down and Ards area. To develop this proposal, the management boards and managers of the three networks are meeting to draft a common strategy outlining how the networks will work together in the future. It is hoped that this common strategy will be launched in the autumn 2010.

Cathy presented the agenda for the morning and welcomed Andrew Scott, Change Manager for the North Down and Ards Transition Committee as the guest speaker.


3. Transition Committee Overview – Andrew Scott, Change Manager for the North Down and Ards Transition Committee

Andrew thanked the three Networks for the invitation to speak before giving an overview of the current work of the Transition Committee and the role of the Change Manager. The Transition Committee continues to meet and discuss the way forward for the two councils; however, Andrew stressed that the impact of the uncertainty as to the timescales was curtailing the Transition Committee's decision making process significantly. In his closing remarks, Andrew acknowledged the role of the community and voluntary sector and suggested a number of ways for local communities to play an active part in the Community Planning process in North Down and Ards. A copy of Andrew's presentation is included in appendix 2. Following the presentation there was an open and lively discussion on a range of issues. The main issue centred on the lack of clarity as to whether the process of Local Government Reform will take place in May 2011. With recent media reports suggesting that the deadline has now passed for legislation to be brought forward to establish new councils and reluctance by the Environment Minister to issue a statement on the current time frame for Local Government Reform, great uncertainty remains. In terms of moving forward through a Community Planning process, the importance of improved communication links both within and between the North Down and Ards Borough Councils and community and voluntary organisations was also discussed at length.


4. Community Involvement – Discussion Groups

To stimulate discussion on how community groups and organisations currently engage with local residents the participants were asked to discuss a series of five questions. Frances Hughes, Development Officer with East Down Rural Community Network led the participants through the questions and feedback. A summary of the responses for each question is presented below. 1. What priorities do you feel should be the councils’ focus over the next few years?

• lobby departments on improved service delivery in the North Down and Ards

area especially in relation roads, housing and health provision for an ageing population.

• lobby central government on the transfer of meaningful powers especially

planning and community planning.

• Community Planning: - a full commitment from the councils; - development of appropriate structures to enable community participation; - identify who needs to be involved and start to build these relationships; - continue with the process of community planning regardless of the

timescale; and - lobby for resources and funding.

• improve communication with local people through the development of a

communication strategy.

• Community and Voluntary Sector: - greater support provided to community organisations including training of

management groups, free child protection/vetting for volunteers; - simplifying the funding process for groups; - greater emphasis on addressing minority issues eg disability, ethnic

communities; and - encourage more community businesses through an incentive scheme.

• more joined up approach between Ards and North Down Councils.

2. What priorities do you feel should be the focus for the three Network’s over the next few years?

• improve communication between council and community and voluntary

groups through the development of a communication strategy.

• continue to develop a close working relationship between community organisations and councils.



• lobby the Department of Environment regarding decisions on local councils and community planning.

• continued provision of support, guidance and training to community

organisations especially on the changes through RPA and the proposals for Community Planning.

• Three Networks:

- continue to develop networking opportunities for groups across North Down and Ards;

- develop and implement the common strategy; and - production of a joint newssheet and website to disseminate information

across the North Down and Ards area.

• Community Planning: - establish mechanisms for community groups to feed into the community

planning process; - undertake an audit of existing organisations, activities and gaps within the

community and voluntary sector in North Down and Ards; - begin preparations for the introduction of the Community Planning

Foundation Programme; and - develop opportunities for networking among local groups/thematic groups

as well as collectively across the North Down and Ards area.

3. How does your organisation identify the needs in your area?

• contacting residents directly

• informal meetings/conversations

• surveys/focus groups

• Government statistics including NINIS, Health

• public Meetings/Annual General Meetings

• newsletters/leaflets

• comments/suggestions box

• engaging with thematic groups – older people, youth, ethnic minorities

• website/internet facilities including social networking sites

• through existing partnerships including Community Safety Partnership and District Policing Partnership

• interagency meetings with service providers

• reviewing existing plans/surveys

• drop-in centres/open mornings

4. How does your organisation use this information to influence decision makers?

• lobbying – local councillors, MLA's and

statutory organisations

• highlight issues through local media

• liaise with local Networks to address issues

• raise issues at inter-agency meetings/partnerships

• direct links with officers within statutory organisations including the local

council, Health Trust and Housing Executive

• sharing information through public events, reports

• working with service providers to develop a Local Community Plan

• celebration events – sharing learning – celebrating success

• bringing points/issues from partnerships to council committees

• highlight issues with relevant agencies through community planning networking events

• through Committee members

• organising site visits with community representatives and key agencies.

• lobby central government/Assembly committees

• discuss issues and develop consensus with decision makers rather than being

confrontational

• invitations to statutory agencies and elected representative to attend community meetings

5. How do you keep your organisation and local community (a) informed and (b) involved in the process of Community Planning?

Informed:

• internet – community website, social networking sites, emails • newsletter • local meetings • local media – newspapers, radio • posters/flyers in post office, pavilion, shops, community centres



• Annual reports/AGM • network newssheets/website • invite 'guest speakers' to provide information on specific themes • open nights (Have a moan night) • 'grapevine' • information points in public areas • using established communication methods of statutory agencies and local

networks • community activities

Involved: • networking and Information events including community planning

conferences • encouragement and celebrating success • meeting needs of the local community • giving local people an opportunity to have their say

However, with the lack of clarity as to what is happening with regards to councils and community planning it will become increasing more difficult to keep people informed and involved in this process.

6. Closing Remarks

Lynette Mahaffy, Manager of North Down Community Network thanked Andrew Scott and the Transition Committee for their contribution to the conference and commended the participants' willingness to engage in the discussions during the morning. Lynette also thanked the host Networks and Community Places for their time and commitment in organising this series of events.

Photograph (left to right) - Annie Clarke (Community Places), Lynette Mahaffy (North Down Community Network), Alderman Leslie Cree (Transition Committee Member), Cathy Rice (Ards Development Bureau and Community Network), Andrew Scott (Transition Change Manager for North Down and Ards), Frances Hughes (East Down Rural Community Network), Ashley Boreland (Chief Executive – Ards Borough Council) and Councillor Angus Carson (Transition Committee Member).


Appendix 1 – Conference Evaluation 1. Which words best describe the event for you?

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Interesting

Positive

Confusing

Hopeless

Challenging

Boring

Meaningful

Informative

Worthwhile

0

5

10

15

20

25

Very Useful Useful Satisfactory Not Useful

2. How useful was the Conference?


Yes

82%

No

6%Not Sure

12%

3. Do you feel the Conference gave you an adequate opportunity to air your views?

4. Please give us any suggestions or ideas you have on how communities could be

helped to prepare for the introduction of Community Planning (summary of points):

• Lobby Minister for Environment regarding decisions on timeframe for the introduction of new councils and Community Planning - more certainty regarding what is happening.

• Continued networking among groups.

• Regular meetings between council officers and community representatives.

• Greater effort to include 'difficult' or hard to reach groups through this process.

• Continue to build the capacity of community groups and empowering them to be part of this process through information sessions on Community Planning.

• Provide information and resources on Community Planning and the likely impact of is process in simple language.

• Additional events such as these conferences.

• Information on the Community Planning Foundation Programme as soon as it is launched.

• Develop a shared strategy on how communities can get involved in the Community Planning process.

• Inter-community meetings are essential.

• Clear understanding on what Community Planning will 'look like' and the inclusion of communities at the beginning of this process is essential.

• Up-to-date information through a variety of methods including the local media.

• Close liaison between networks, communities and councils.

• Useful to hear from the Stormont perspective on Community Planning.

• Information is key to this process; important to maintain good lines of communication.


Appendix 2 – Transition Committee Update Andrew Scott, Change Management Officer for North Down and Ards Transition Committee



Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for Change Three 14Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for Change Three 14


Appendix 3 – Conference Participants Name Organisation Margaret Adair - Cloughey and District Community Association Lynda Anderson - Groomsport Village Association Stephen Archibald - North Down Borough Council Leighton Arndell - Disability Matters North Down and Ards Sheila Bailie - Peninsula Healthy Living Paul Betts - Holywood Family Trust David Birch - Ards Borough Council Pat Bowen - Supporting Communities NI Owen Brady - Northern Ireland Housing Executive Phelim Breen - Youth Justice Agency, Community Services Bangor Jim Brown - Strength 2 Strength Project Bridget Burgess - Redburn Community Centre Elma Butler - Beechfield Residents' Association Aisling Cartmill - NDBC Neighbourhood Renewal James Carty - North Down Filipino Community Cita Carty - North Down Filipino Community Joyce Crawford - Beechfield Residents' Association Jim Crawford - Beechfield Residents' Association Irene Cree - Breezemount Community Association Leslie Cree MLA - North Down Borough Council Irene Davidson - Bangor and North Down Samaritans Campbell Davis - Kiltonga Christian Centre Anne Drysdale - Arc Charlie Fisher - Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Sean Fitzpatrick - Voluntary and Community Unit Tony Freedman - Peter Gibson - Groomsport Village Association Joe Goodman - Beechfield Residents' Association Joe Hagan - Greyabbey Village Hall Paula Harkness - Redburn Community Centre Judy Hedley - Movilla Women's Group Sandra Henderson - East Down Rural Community Network Diane Holt - The Link Robert Hopps - Bloomfield Community Association Sean Hughes - Ballygowan and District Community Association Frances Hughes - East Down Rural Community Network Roy Kane - Millisle Community Association Harjeet Kaur - Fillpino Group Richard King - Spectator Newspaper Kym Lennon - Disability Matters North Down and Ards Lynette Mahaffy - North Down Community Network Linda McAllister - North Down Borough Council David McAlonan - Scrabo Residents' Association Desmond McAuley - Ards Over 50's Forum/Age Concern Derek McCallan - Ards Borough Council Helen McCormick - Cootehall Community Association Fiona McGarry - Bangor & Holywood Town Centres Ltd Dorothy McGrath - Youth Justice Agency, Newtownards Paula McInnes - Ards Development Bureau and Community Network Norman McKeag - Lisbarnett & Lisbane Community Association Ltd


Name Organisation Anne McKinley - World Wide Women Brendan McPolin - Portaferry Community Collective Greta McWilliams - Seahill Residents' Association Derek Miller - Cloughey and District Community Association Cheryal Murray - North Down Community Network Leila Orme - Lisbarnett & Lisbane Community Association Ltd Geoffrey Porter - Ards Borough Council John Prentice - Kircubbin Projects Committee Aislinn Quinn - ASCERT Cathy Rice - Ards Development Bureau and Community Network Jo Scott - Millilse Youth Forum Andrew Scott - North Down and Ards Change Manager Jim Shannon MLA - Ards Borough Council Raymond Sloan - Scrabo Residents' Association Jane Smith - East Down Rural Community Network Jeff Smith - East Down Rural Community Network John Smyth - South Eastern Regional College Joyce Stock - Shopmobility Bangor Roy Taylor - Millilse Community Association Jumm Theppott - World Wide Women Denise Thompson - FASA Bangor Una Turbitt - East Down Rural Community Network Brent van de Linde - Mediation NI Anita Waite - Voluntary and Community Unit Ken Weir - North Down Forum for Over 50's Bob Wilson - Ards Community Safety Partnership Phoebe Wong - Oi Yin Chinese Womens Group David Wright - Lisbarnett & Lisbane Community Association Ltd Report prepared by Community Places May 2010

Documents

Ards and North Down Communities Networking and Planning for