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Community Planning structures under RPA
This section contains info on:
Community planning has been described as the ‘glue’ in the new system of local administration. It will be the responsibility of local councils. Essentially it means better co-ordination and use of existing resources. Community planning provides the opportunity for the sector to :
Recommendations from the Local Government Taskforce Community Planning SubGroup.
1. It is recommended that a modified Scottish model which includes best practice identified in other situations should be enacted in Northern Ireland, to create a model that is uniquely suited to the Northern Ireland situation. Such a model would include a duty to advance the process of community planning through partnership and to produce a community plan.
2. It is recommended that a working definition of community planning is developed which encapsulates a process which works to join up the planning and the delivery of public services, create meaningful strategies for local areas and does so by engaging with communities for the benefit and well-being of all people in the locality
3. It is recommended that a power of well-being is advanced in Northern Ireland as part of the community planning process.
4. It is recommended that, as in the Scottish situation NI legislation should provide for specific statutory guidance to set the parameters of the process, and so establish consistency of practice across Northern Ireland while allowing for local variety to emerge.
5. It is recommended that this statutory guidance refers to the creation of a long term vision and shorter three to five year action plans.
6. It is recommended that councils information management frameworks management frameworks.
7. It is recommended that community planning partnerships should prepare a communications and consultation strategy.
8. It is recommended that in all processes related to community planning guidance and standards are developed to ensure consistency of practice and impact across Northern Ireland.
9. It is recommended that it becomes a statutory duty for the following agencies to participate in the core community planning partnership: the new Health Authority, the new Education and Skills Authority, Policing Board and Chief Constable, Fire and Rescue, NIHE, INI and Translink and a duty of co-operation and promotion should be placed on all Government Departments and public agencies.
10. It is recommended that representation from the voluntary and community sector and from the private sector are on the community planning partnership. Each sector to decide how these representatives should emerge.
11. It is recommended that the legislation and/or statutory guidance ensures that strong effective elected Member representation is found in all community planning partnerships, and similarly, in any local or neighbourhood partnership arrangements. The subgroup believes that elected Members can and should provide strong community leadership.
12. It is recommended that a series of thematic sub partnerships are developed.
13. It is recommended that each community planning partnership sets up a local area planning structure which meets their own particular needs and ensures the participation of as wide a range of people in the locality as possible.
14. It is recommended cross boundary, cross border and cross channel work is encouraged to the benefit of all as part of the Community Planning process.
15. It is recommended that a statutory duty of cooperation is placed on NI ministers to promote and encourage community planning.
16. It is recommended that mechanisms to enhance regional and local levels working positively together are developed.
17. It is recommended that the issue of co-terminosity is considered in relation to any new structural developments in public services in Northern Ireland to facilitate more effective community planning.
18. It is recommended that a capacity-building programme for community planning is developed in the immediate future in recognition of the major cultural change which will be required.
19. It is recommended that a number of Community Planning pilots are initiated across Northern Ireland to begin as soon as is practicable.
20. It is recommended that specific funds are set up to encourage community planning.
21. Finally, the Community Planning sub-group would wish to have the right to review any draft legislation or guidance on community planning prior to their formal adoption.
Read the 
full report from the subgroup here.
It has been decided that models of community planning will be tested using a number of pilot projects. The timetable for the pilots is below.
NICVA and Community Technical Aid have joined together to begin a two year programme aimed at preparing the voluntary and community sector for the challenges and opportunities that community planning will present. For many voluntary and community organisations there is a sense that the Review of Public Administration has been moving on with very little discussion with and awareness of what it will mean in reality for the people and communities they represent.
Preparing for Community Planning will involve the provision of online and other resources such as briefing papers and statistical information as well as a series of information and training sessions. Other agencies with expertise in policy areas such as health eg Community Development and Health Network will also be involved in delivering parts of the programme. As community planning will happen at a local level local community networks will be leading on discussions in their area. NICVA and CTA want to be in a position to offer as much information and support as possible to underpin that work.
The programme is only beginning and we would be interested in hearing from local community networks who are interested in getting involved. We are also keen to hear from voluntary and community organisations about the types of information and support they would like to receive.
Contact Lisa McElherron on 
028 90 877 777 or 
lisa.mcelherron@nicva.org
NICVA and Community Technical Aid have produced a Community Planning paper (560kb Word Document) outlining the key issues for the sector in relation to RPA.
Community planning 
briefing paper from the Community Development Health Network
Northern Ireland Environment Link has produced a paper on community planning in Northern Ireland. [1.3MB]
Summary of Community Planning and well being in England and Wales.
For more information on community planning in the UK visit http://www.communityplanning.net/
For more information on community planning in Scotland visit http://www.improvementservice.org.uk/community-planning
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