PRESS RELEASE

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

27 September 2007

SD 04/07

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE TO CONSULT NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL PARTNERSHIPS

The Assembly Committee for Social Development has embarked on a consultation exercise on the implementation of the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. The Committee will issue a questionnaire to all 36 Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships which will cover areas such as the structure and establishment of partnerships, operational issues and funding.

Mr Gregory Campbell, Committee Chairperson said,

“Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships are crucial in the battle to help close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the quality of life for the rest of society. Partnerships are responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy so it is imperative that they have the right tools and a strong commitment from the key political, statutory, community, voluntary and private sectors.”

Mr Campbell continued,

“The Committee will meet with Departmental officials at the end of the year to review progress on the implementation of the Strategy. The results of the consultation will hopefully flag up any areas of concern that need to be addressed by the Department. I would encourage all Partnerships to help inform the Committee’s scrutiny of this very important area by responding to the consultation”.

Note to Editor:
The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA.
The Deputy Chairperson is Mr David Hilditch MLA.

The Committee has a further nine members:
Mr Mickey Brady MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr Jonathan Craig MLA
Ms Anna Lo MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Fra McCann MLA
Mrs Claire McGill MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA

The Clerk to the Committee is:
Marie Austin
Committee Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Room 412
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX

Telephone - 028 9052 1864
Fax - 028 9052 1667
E Mail – committee.socialdevelopment@niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries to:
Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.

Telephone 028 9052 1137
Fax 028 90 52 1961.
Website Address – www.niassembly.gov.uk
E-mail – info.office@ niassembly.gov.uk