Networking success ahead of ‘super-council’ move

People from the Limavady Community Network and Limavady Borough Council contributed to the event alongside Coleraine, Moyle and Ballymoney Councils last week.

Portnagee House, Ballycastle hosted the Community Networking event on Thursday, January 31.

It was organised by Catherine Farrimond, Community Development Officer of Limavady Borough Council.

“The event was organised through the excellent work of Limavady Community Network and their Community Development Made Easy course,” she said.

“The Limavady groups felt that it was time we met our neighbours in the proposed new Council structure. Additionally, the work that I have been undertaking with my colleagues in the other Council areas around the Review of Public Administration (RPA) complimented this important event.”

She continued: “I was delighted with the number of groups who attended. The energy was buzzing and I hope that this is the beginning of many new connections among the community sector across the Cluster.”

The event was facilitated by Camille McDermott of Moore Stephens, who have been working with Limavady Community Network on their training course.

Camille had a speed networking section to allow groups in each Council area to meet and talk.

“We found that groups had the same fears and expectations in relation to RPA, grants, support, and how the new Council would operate,” she said. “The information received will be used by the Council officers in the Cluster to help with their new project – A joint Community Support Framework across the four councils. Limavady Borough Council is taking the lead on this project.

“This is an important piece of work as it will include community engagement across the Councils and highlight what we need to do in preparation for RPA and beyond.”

Community Places will be working with the Councils to help facilitate this process. There will be a Community Workshop for Limavady groups on Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 2-4pm at Limavady Borough Council Offices (each of the other Councils will also have a community workshop for their area).

Please confirm your attendance to Catherine on Tel: 028 77760311.

This is your opportunity to have your say regarding the Framework and the issues which are important to you in the community.

“Following on from the Cluster Networking event, we will share all of the groups contact details across the Cluster and once we hold our individual community workshops, we will bring all of the groups in the Cluster back together again,” said Catherine.

“This was a very positive event and hopefully the first of many. I do hope that true partnerships will be made among groups and that we can all start thinking as one Super Council.”