Inaugural meeting of Forum is held

Following concerns raised by the community and voluntary sector, Banbridge District Council, supported by other statutory and voluntary agencies, started a process to help ensure every town and village in the district has a voice.

After extensive consultation with community groups, the district was divided geographically into four areas and a locality forum was set up in each of these areas.

Community groups were invited to nominate representatives to sit on their locality forum, the purpose of which was to allow for networking opportunities, information-sharing and raising issues of concern.

The first meetings were held in each of the four localities between November and January and those present agreed on the names for their respective forums. They are now known as Banbridge Locality Forum, Dromore and District Rural Locality Forum, Gilford and District Locality Forum and Rathfriland and District Community Forum.

Following on from the successful establishment of the locality forums, representatives from each forum were invited to attend the first meeting of the Banbridge District Interagency Community Forum and to raise concerns identified in their localities.

As well as representatives of Banbridge District Council, the meeting was also attended by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Police Service of Northern Ireland, SELB Youth Service, and DRD Roads Service. A wide range of issues were discussed with some positive outcomes or follow-up actions agreed.

Speaking after the event, Robert Stockley, the Council’s Community Development Officer explained the significance of the process.

“This meeting of Banbridge District Interagency Community Forum marks an exciting development for the district,” he said.

“For the first time, representatives of the community and voluntary sector were able to sit round the table with those agencies that make decisions on issues affecting people’s everyday lives –such as health, housing, roads, environment and policing. Some of the issues raised affected the whole district whereas others were specific to particular areas.”

“It has all been made possible by the willingness and commitment of those representatives of community groups to engage initially with their locality forums. I would encourage all community groups in the district to nominate representatives to sit on their locality forum. Not only does it benefit the group they represent, but also the community the group serves.”

It is anticipated the Banbridge District Interagency Community Forum will meet three to four times a year with the next meeting scheduled for June.

The locality forums will be meeting again before then and anyone wishing to know more about their locality forum should contact the Council’s Community Development Officer on 4066 0643.