Councils Cluster for Peace III

Under Priority 1.1 of the Peace III Programme, Building Positive relations at a local level, councils will work within self-defined clusters on the development of peace and reconciliation action plans which focus on tackling sectarianism and racism in their area.

Voluntary and community organisations hoping to receive funding under this theme must be included in these local plans and local councils have a duty to undertake meaningful consultation with the sector before submitting their plans to the SEUPB.

As these plans are due to be submitted to the SEUPB by March 2008 it is essential therefore that any groups interested in this Priority contact their local council as a matter of urgency in order gain further information on the development of their peace action plan.

The map below indicates the likely council cluster boundaries.

Click Here to download a pdf of the Council Clusters Peace III Map

Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey

Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Councils have formally agreed their partnership, with Newtownabbey taking the lead role. A draft strategy has been developed which they hope to present to the three councils in March 2008 with the intention of meeting the SEUPB deadline of the end of March.

Although the process of public consultation has been completed, Majella McAlister who is responsible for co-ordinating the development of the plan has urged local groups to contact her if they still wish to have their views heard as the plan is not a ‘done deal’.

Majella can be contacted at Newtownabbey Council on 028 9034 0000 or mmcalister@newtownabbey.gov.uk.

Coleraine, Larne, Ballymena, Moyle, Ballymoney, Limavady

Coleraine is taking the lead for the North East Grouping (Larne, Ballymena, Moyle, Ballymoney, Limavady and Coleraine). A ‘scoping exercise’ has been completed which gave an overview of potential areas of engagement for the group under the Peace III Programme and the group is tendering for a consultant to help pull together their peace action plan.

Moira Mann is co-ordinating the delivery of the plan and can be contacted on 028 7034 7034 or moira.mann@colerainebc.gov.uk.

Magherafelt, Cookstown, South Tyrone and Fermanagh.

No formal partnership has been agreed between these Councils (process to be completed shortly) and no lead partner has been agreed. Each Council area is undertaking its own consultation. Fermanagh undertook their public consultation in November 2007, South Tyrone have held their public consultations, while Cookstown and Magherafelt intend to begin their consultations in the next few weeks.

For further information on the development of their Peace Plans please contact:

• Fermanagh – Helen Sheils, helen.sheils@fermanagh.gov.uk T: 028 6632 5050
• South Tyrone – Claire Linney, claire.linney@dungannon.gov.uk T: 028 8772 0300
• Cookstown – Maggie Bryson, maggie.bryson@cookstown.gov.uk T: 028 8676 4714
• Magherafelt – Charlie Monaghan, charlie.monaghan@magherafelt.orgT: 028 7939 7979

Omagh, Strabane and Derry

The three councils have formally agreed their cluster with Derry City Council taking the lead role. This cluster expects to meet the SEUPB submission deadline of March 2008. ALL three councils intend to conclude their consultation by the end of February 2008.

So contact your local representative as soon as possible:

• Derry City - Rosalind Young, rosalind.young@derrycity.gov.uk T: 028 7136 5151
• Omagh - Christine Rodgers, christine.rodgers@omagh.gov.uk T: 028 8224 5321 or Harry Parkinson harry.parkinsons@omagh.gov.uk T: 028 8224 5321
• Strabane - Patrick O’Doherty, podoherty@strabanedc.com T: 028 7138 2204 or
• Clare Mullen cmullen@strabanedc.com T: 028 7138 2204

Newry & Mourne, Banbridge, Armagh and Craigavon

This cluster has been agreed but no lead partner agreed as of yet. Following the completion of background research including scoping exercises in each council area a draft action plan has been completed. A number of consultation roadshows are planned across the councils areas over the next few weeks.

Further information on the roadshows and the Action Plan can be obtained from:

• Banbridge - Elaine Gillespie Elaine.gillespie@banbridge.gov.uk T: 028 4066 0644;
• Armagh- Denise O’Hare denise.ohare@armagh.gov.uk T: 028 3752 9600; and
• Craigavon - Nicola Lane nicola.lane@craigavon.gov.uk T 028 3831 2581
• Newry & Mourne - Sonja Burns sonya.burns@newryandmourne.gov.uk T: 028 3031 3074

Down, Ards and North Down

This cluster has been formally agreed at Council level with North Down Council taking the lead role. The councils have compiled a database of 450 organisations that they intend to notify of the consultation events they have planned the three council areas and also intend to use public advertisements. These consultation events are scheduled to take place in March 2008.

Further information on the development of the plan and the consultation events can be obtained from Jan Nixey at North Down Borough Council: jan.nixey@northdown.gov.uk or Tel: 028 9127 8028

Lisburn City and Castlereagh Borough Council

Lisburn City and Castlereagh Borough Council have formed a cluster for Peace III Priority 1.1. They are currently preparing the background information necessary for the plan and hope to hold public consultations at the end of February or beginning of March.

Further information can be obtained from:

• Lisburn - Jim Rose 028 9250 9550 email jimr@lisburn.gov.uk
• Castlereagh – Gail Watson 028 9049 4500 email gailwatson@castlereagh.gov.uk

Belfast City Council

Belfasthas already completed the process of compiling its draft plan as it is not required to cluster with other councils. The Belfast City Council consultation on was completed in 30 November 2007 and the Draft Action Plan can be viewed on the council website. www.belfastcity.gov.uk.