Organisations discuss potential of Community Planning

The aim of the seminar was to discuss the potential and possibilities of community planning in relation to providing better services and how voluntary and community organisations can get involved in the process.

Presentations

Annie Morgan of Community Technical Aid outlined the background to the conference and issues for the community and voluntary sector. Brian Cavanagh of Clifden Consultancy explored what effective community planning might look like based on the Scottish experience.

Kevin Wilson from the Improvement and Development Agency delivered a presentation on local government’s role in community planning based on experience in England. Finally Bryan Poole, manager of Fife-wide Council for Voluntary Service, examined the success of voluntary and community sector engagement with community planning in Fife.

Workshops

Further local experiences of community planning were shared in a workshop facilitated by Community Technical Aid. Rural Community Network and Belfast City Council also facilitated workshops on rural and urban models for local community planning.

The seminar concluded with a political party panel discussion featuring SDLP Councillor Patsy McGlone MLA, Alliance Councillor David Ford MLA, Ulster Unionist Councillor James McKerrow, and Sinn Fein Councillor Sean McPeake.

What Happens Next

As the final recommendations from the review of the original RPA proposals are expected in February, this seminar showed that community planning is still very much on the agenda for voluntary and community organisations. NICVA, Community Technical Aid and Rural Community Network will continue to monitor further developments.