Mayor Alderman Hilary McClintock
MAYOR of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Hilary McClintock, will this week invite partner organisations and agencies to formally commit to their role in the delivery of the Community Plan by signing up to a special partnership agreement.
On Friday, following a year of engagement with individuals and organisations from all spectrums of the community, members of the Transition Community Planning Partnership will come together in the Guildhall for this milestone event in the Community Planning process.
The Partnership includes political representatives, community and statutory agencies from across Derry and Strabane.
They will hear more about their role and responsibility in the future development, delivery, monitoring and review of the strategic and local Community Plans for the wider council area.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mayor McClintock said she was delighted to have reached such a significant moment in the Community Planning process.
“This is undoubtedly one of the most important moments in the successful delivery of the Community Planning process, when we present partners with this agreement which lays out the way ahead in terms of successfully implementing the outcomes outlined in the plan.
“Ultimately it is our aim to deliver ‘A thriving, prosperous and sustainable City and Region with equality of opportunity for all’. While the process is led by Derry City and Strabane District Council, each and every one of us must play an active role in shaping that strategy and ensuring that it reflects the true aspirations for the future of our district.
“I want to thank everyone for their participation in the process to date and for their dedication to promoting the social, economic and environmental well-being of everyone living in Derry and Strabane.”
Under the recent Reform of Local Government, Derry City and Strabane District Council, alongside the ten other local councils across the region, has been tasked with the development and delivery of a Community Plan to drive regeneration and improvement in local council areas.
The Community Planning process to date has engaged over 1,700 people from across the district, leading to an extensive body of research which will now form the bedrock of the strategic and local community plans for Derry and Strabane.
Members of the Transition Community Planning Partnership will now undertake to assist in the delivery of this strategy by offering support, resources and expertise in a number of areas.
Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, said: “A culture of strong and enduring partnership is fundamental to the success of the Community Planning process. We have been delighted at the response to date of the many agencies and organisations across Derry and Strabane who have committed to the process.
“We have put in place a structure which will ensure the process remains open, accountable, measurable and, most importantly, effective, in achieving the goals identified by local communities.
“I look forward now to working with our wide range of partners in moving to the next stage of the community planning process.”
Once formally established the transition Community Planning Partnership will now meet up a minimum of four times per year to allow members to fulfil their individual roles and contribute to the successful delivery of the Community Plan as outlined in the Local Government Act.
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