Economy key to Ballymena’s Corporate Plan 2012-2016

Launched last Wednesday by Environment Minister Alex Attwood, the plan is the local authority’s overarching strategy for 2012-2016.

It was unveiled to a specially invited audience of ‘partners’ from the community, voluntary, public and private at The Braid.

They were told that the plan focuses on meeting the real challenges that are impacting most on the lives of local people - helping to boost the economy, improving citizens’ health and wellbeing and delivering value for money services to ratepayers.

Totally citizen focused, the new Corporate Plan commits Council to working in partnership with all sectors to deliver modern joined up services which citizens require.

It is also closely aligned with the focus, drive and strategic priorities of the NI Executive’s ‘Programme for Government’ and, like the Executive, Council have identified the Economy as their number one priority.

It’s Chief Executive, Anne Donaghy described the plan as “ambitious and compelling” and pointed out that it is based on “the need to maintain and build our local economy”.

She said: “We are focused on ensuring the highest quality outcomes for our citizens that impact on their living standards and everyday lives such as health, education, economic development, housing, policing and safety.

“Our ongoing engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders puts Ballymena in a unique position to continue to build on our status as a strategic hub of innovation, good practice and public administration”.

Ballymena’s First Citizen, Cllr Hubert Nicholl also underlined the important role that community and partners will play.

“Our new Vision contained within the Plan of ‘Ballymena: Great People, Great Place’, will be achieved by Council working through community planning with the local community and valued partners to address the current and future economic, social and environmental needs and priorities for the people and place of the Ballymena borough,” he said.

Commending the four year strategy, guest speaker, the Director & Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, Trevor Neilands, said: “As someone who believes strongly in the need for effective community planning, I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Ballymena Borough Council in implementing the vision which it sets out in its impressive Corporate Plan”.

Officially launching the document, Alex Attwood said he was confident of the ability of Ballymena Borough Council to deliver its vision.

He said: “As Minister, my objective is to support and develop strong, modern, local services that are focused on the needs of citizens first and foremost.

“The reform of government by 2015 will open up many additional opportunities for councils. Transferring key functions such as planning, local economic development, local tourism and urban regeneration will give councils some powerful tools with which to shape their areas and communityes.

“Through this corporate plan, Ballymena Borough Council has clearly set out its agreed roadmap for the continued development of Local Government leadership, transformation and excellence. I am confident of its ability to deliver its vision in partnership with its community, voluntary, public and private colleagues, all working together with common purpose,” he said.