Craigavon Borough Council
Craigavon Council has introduced a community support plan to provide a common framework that all public, voluntary and community organisations can work toward. The document was published in 2006 and sets out what the council hope to achieve in the 2006-2009 period. It was drawn up with Council Officer's input, research and community consultations. The primary focus of the plan is in advancing the quality of community life and community involvement within the locality. Key areas of concern such as coordinated approaches to service delivery, supporting and facilitating community groups and forums, and advancing community development in rural areas are all outlined in the strategy. The council realises that the community development plan is a 'living' document and as such may be subject to necessary amendments according to the changing needs of communities within Craigavon, budget constraints and new central government policies.
Castlereagh Community Visioning Project
The Castlereagh Visioning Project supported communities from five areas in the Castlereagh Borough Council district to develop a community planning framework for each of the areas using the community visioning process, and so move closer to becoming sustainable communities. The expectation was that greater two-way communication and linkages would develop between the community and statutory sectors.
Through looking back on how the community was in the past, and then looking at the community today, communities were supported in identifying what they liked about living in the neighbourhood. Community participants were encouraged to identify successes and highlighting issues and difficulties to which they would like to find solutions. Through this process they were then able to identify a vision for the future of their community, and in so doing be better able to take ownership of the plans and vision for their own community.
This pilot project has generated a process from which lessons can be derived and which can contribute towards future community planning within local government - an obligation following the Review of Public Administration.