Agenda item

            The Director of City and Organisational Strategy informed the Members that the Belfast Agenda – Continuing the Conversation engagement process had been launched on 9th June to formally commence the review of the Belfast Agenda. The proposed engagement plan for this initial phase had been shaped by the sub-group of the Community Planning Partnership which was co-designing plans to review the Belfast Agenda.

            He reported that the All-Party Working Group on Community Planning, which included a representative from each of the Political Parties on the Council, had on 20th May, received an update on the reconfiguration of the Delivery Boards, as well as the areas on which they were currently focussed. Members had, at that meeting, highlighted the fact that they would welcome greater participation in the community planning process and that they wished to formalise the aforementioned working group.

            With that in mind, he drew the Members’ attention to draft Terms of Reference which stated that the purpose of the Working Group would be to support, influence, monitor and challenge the development of community planning in Belfast and related programmes and projects.  Members were clear, however, that all significant decisions affecting the future direction of Community Planning in the City would be taken by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee. 

            The Director went on to state that the initial phase of engagement sought to agree the short-term priorities which would form the focus of community planning activity over the four-year period from 2022-2026. An engagement plan which had been drafted had highlighted four flagship area-based, online workshops, as well as a further event which would seek to engage ‘seldom heard’ groups and communities of interest. It was anticipated that these events would be delivered in weeks commencing 26th July and 2nd August and, in the run up to them, officers from the Strategic Hub would also be delivering on line briefings outlining the background to the review and highlighting different ways for the public to get involved and have their say.  They would also, subject to resources and availability, provide outreach support targeting specific communities.

            He pointed out that, given the current restrictions, most of the engagement activities would be taking place online, with face-to-face engagement being introduced only if the regulations allowed. Libraries NI had agreed to encourage their users to complete a short postcard survey and it was hoped that Council facilities could be used as an additional channel for engagement. Officers were continuing to explore options to target child and young people through the planned Department of Education funded summer school schemes and a forthcoming regional event with the Common Purpose

            The Director confirmed that Members would continue to be engaged throughout the engagement programme, through the All-Party Working Group on Community Planning, and a workshop would take place on 4th August via Microsoft Teams to allow them to reflect the views of their constituents from different areas of the City. Members had also have also been provided with a communications toolkit, containing resources and links to promote and raise awareness of the review of the Belfast Agenda  and were being encouraged to use their social media profiles to direct people to the featured engagement on Your Say Belfast.

            After discussion, during which the Director of City and Organisational Strategy undertook to expand the target groups to include community-based summer schemes and family support providers in Belfast, the Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note the contents of the report and adopt the following Terms of Reference for the All-Party Working Group on Community Planning:

1.      Role and Responsibilities

The role of the All-Party Working Group on Community Planning will be to support, influence, monitor and challenge the development of community planning in Belfast and related programmes and projects. 

2.      Terms of Reference

Specifically, the All-Party Working Group will:

·        Provide recommendations on the strategic direction and political input to the community planning process within Belfast.

·        Act as a reference panel in the wider development of the Council’s community planning function.

·        Consider actions and interventions which the Council may wish to propose to the Community Planning Partnership to contribute to the vision and outcomes set out in the community plan.

·        Enable elected members to receive regular updates on the progress of the Delivery Boards, who drive the implementation of programmes and projects that seek to realise the vision and outcomes of the community plan.

·        Ensure that elected members within Parties are keep informed on community planning activity and relevant programmes of work.

·        Champion a cohesive approach within the Council to Community Planning.

·        Develop and maintain expertise in the field of community planning.

·        Collate and consider best practice from other cities and local authorities from the UK, Ireland and internationally.

·        Make recommendations for the continuous improvement of the community planning function.

·        Whilst not having a decision-making function, it will make recommendations and report to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on a regular basis through reports and minutes of meetings. All significant decisions affecting the future direction of Community Planning in Belfast will be taken by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee. 

3.      Membership

The All-Party Working Group on Community Planning will comprise of one member from each of the Political Parties on the Council.

4.      Chairperson

In line with the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee decision of 19th August 2016, a Chairperson will be appointed on an annual basis.  This item of business will be placed on the agenda for the first meeting of each Working Group following the Annual Council meeting each year.

5.      Frequency of meetings

The All-Party Working Group on Community Planning will meet on a quarterly basis unless otherwise required.”