Public to be given greater say in how council operates

Public to be given greater say in how council operates

24 February 2016

RATEPAYERS in the Downpatrick and Lecale area are being given an opportunity later this evening to have a say in how Newry, Mourne and Down Council spends their cash.

A public meeting at the Ballymote Centre is one of a series being held in each of the seven district electoral areas when members of the public will be able to sit down with their elected representatives to discuss a wide range of issues.

The Rowallane area meeting was held last night in Ballynahinch and following tonight’s meting at the Ballymote Centre, another will be held in Annsborough community hall tomorrow night for the Slieve Croob electoral area. All the meetings start at 7pm.

The Downpatrick electoral area, also known as a DEA, includes Strangford, Kilclief, Ballyhornan, Ardglass, Killough, Minerstown and Annacloy. The aim of the various meetings is to provide local people with an opportunity to flag up issues of concern for inclusion in an action plan.

Ahead of tonight’s meeting, David Patterson, the newly appointed co-ordinator for the Downpatrick area, said he aims to work in partnership with the community to deal with local issues.

“The new forum permits the local council to consult with communities in the Downpatrick DEA on the way forward and actively involve them in making decisions that will impact on their daily lives,” he said.

“This is an exciting era within the new council as communities, going forward, will have a local voice and will be directly influencing community planning in their respective DEAs. The establishment of the new engagement infrastructure will enable local people to have their say on what are their area’s priorities and how the council should address them.”

Over the coming weeks and months, Mr Patterson hopes to meet with representatives from community, voluntary and sporting organisations and other groups throughout the Downpatrick DEA to get their views on issues and priorities for their respective communities.

Mr Patterson wants to encourage all active groups and individuals living and working in the area to attend tonight’s meeting which he explained will outline how people can participate in and contribute to the development of a local action plans that will ultimately feed in to Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s action plan for the 2016 to 2030 period.

Mr Patterson said tonight’s meeting also provides an opportunity for people to find out more about the new Peace IV programme funding.

The DEA is looking for nominations for membership from the community, voluntary and business sectors who can represent as wide a range as possible of key themes such as arts, carers, sport/recreation, sustainable development, women/men, disability, equality, housing and homelessness, race/ethnicity, young people and economic development.

As there are only eight places, it is anticipated the potential Forum members will be able to demonstrate representation on behalf of a local network of groups rather than just their own.