New platform for community reps

Banbridge District Council has organised a series of meetings for representatives of community and voluntary groups across Banbridge, Dromore, Rathfriland and Gilford.

The first takes place today (June 15) at 6.15pm in Dunbarton Bowling Club, Gilford, and is set to be attended by community representatives from the wards of Gilford, Loughbrickland and Laurencetown.

The next meeting is scheduled for Banbridge Enterprise Centre on Monday, June 21, starting at 6.30pm, and it will be aimed at local groups based in Banbridge.

A third meeting is due to take place in Dromore in the Dromore in Action premises just opposite the Ulster Bank in Church Street on Wednesday, June 23, starting at 7.30pm. All community representatives from the wards of Dromore North, Dromore South, Quilly, Gransha and the north of Ballyward are invited to attend.

In September, a further meeting will be arranged for groups in Bannside, Katesbridge, Rathfriland and the south of Ballyward.

Council Community Development Officer, Robert Stockley, stressed the importance of attending one of the planned meetings. He said. “It is evident from our consultation with community and voluntary groups that they want to see a proper structure put in place which will seek to strengthen the sector and support the work they do.

“For that reason, it is essential that community representatives attend the appropriate meeting and provide input into how their local forum is shaped and established.”

Each local forum will then nominate four people to represent it on the Banbridge District Interagency Community Forum, which will provide a platform which brings community representatives and public service providers together.

Once established, members of the forums will meet quarterly to discuss common issues of concern and provide and enhance opportunities for information sharing, support, co-operation and advocacy.

The issues raised at the local forums will be brought to the Banbridge District Interagency Community Forum, where a clear set of actions to address these collectively will be devised.

The Interagency Community Forum will be made up of community representatives covering all parts of the district and key statutory agencies, including the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, SELB Youth Service, DRD Roads Service, PSNI and Banbridge District Council.

Anyone who would like to find out more should contact the council’s Community Development Officer on 4066 0643.