Joint Forum RPA Bulletin 1

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Bulletin produced by the Joint Forum’s RPA Sub-group on the implementation and structures, appointments, recent publications, and other useful links related to the RPA

Welcome to the first edition of this new bulletin on the RPA, produced by the Joint Forum’s RPA Sub-group. This bulletin assumes some prior knowledge of the process that has taken place and the decisions that have been made on the future number of Councils, Health Trusts etc. All this information is available on the RPA and CommunityNI websites which are noted under the ‘Useful Links’ section below.

The central RPA team are currently developing a communications strategy.

Details of all progress made against the RPA timetable can be found at: www.rpani.gov.uk/index/update-against-timetable.htm.

CONTENTS

  1. Implementation and structures
  2. Appointments
  3. Recent publications
  4. Useful links

1. IMPLEMENTATION AND STRUCTURES

Reporting Structures

The implementation of the RPA is being driven by both the Secretary of State, Peter Hain MP and by Minister of State, David Hanson MP.

RPA Steering Group

There is a central steering group chaired by Nigel Hamilton overseeing the implementation of decisions across government.

DoE Taskforce on Reform of Local Government

The following ‘Orders’ are currently being drafted, and will be published for consultation early in the New Year:

  • ‘The Structures Order’ will amend the legislation relating to local government administration.
  • ‘The Transfer of Functions Order’ will provide for the transfer of functions from central to local government.

At the time of writing this legislation will be laid as Orders in Council. This procedure is used to enact primary legislation when Northern Ireland is under Direct Rule. The Draft Order is consulted on, and can be considered by the Northern Ireland Grand Committee in the House of Commons. After the consultation process is complete, the Order is laid before Parliament for approval by both Houses with no opportunity for further amendment.

For further information, please see www.doeni.gov.uk/lgd/localgovreform/

DHSSPS

  • ‘Reconfiguration Programme Board’ chaired by Andrew McCormick – oversees the reorganisation of current health structures.
  • Project teams for each area of work.

For more information, see www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/rpa-home.htm

DE

  • Programme Board chaired by Will Haire.
  • RPA Stakeholders Group – advises on the development of new arrangements for the education sector and the mechanisms at local level.

For more information, see www.deni.gov.uk/index/8-admin_of_education_pg/100-review-of-public-administration.htm

DSD

DSD is responsible for a number of significant elements of RPA implementation, particularly transferring major delivery functions from DSD and the NI Housing Executive to Local Government.

For more information, see www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/publications/dsd_rpa_faq.htm

2. APPOINTMENTS

Many appointments have been made recently:

  • Boundary Commissioner – Dick McKenzie will make recommendations on the exact boundaries of the seven new councils.
  • Chief Executive for the Health and Social Services Authority – David Sissling took up this role in August.
  • Chairs and Chief Executives of the five new H&SS Trusts have been in post since 1 September:
    • Southern Area: Chair, Anne Balmer; Chief Executive, Colm Donaghy.
    • South and East Area: Chair, Denise Fitzsimons; Chief Executive, John Compton.
    • Western Area: Chair, Gerard Guckian; Chief Executive, Elaine Way.
    • BelfastArea: Chair, Patrick McCartan; Chief Executive, William McKee CBE.
    • Northern Area: Chair, James Stewart; Chief Executive, Norma Evans.

3. RECENT PUBLICATIONS

News Releases, RPA Circulars and Newsletters can be found at: http://www.rpani.gov.uk/index/rpa-communications.htm

NICVA recently published a research report which can be found at www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/nicva_RPA_research_0906. The paperoutlines what the changes potentially mean to the sector in Northern Ireland and sets out a number of suggested recommendations to prepare to operate in this new environment.

4. USEFUL LINKS

For further information or to receive this bulletin in another format, please contact Zoë Anderson at zoe.anderson@nicva.org or on 028 9087 7777.

This bulletin has been produced by the RPA Sub-group of the Joint Government/ Voluntary and Community Sector Forum. For more information on the Forum please visit: www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/Joint%20Forum


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