ConnectedA Community Plan
for Armagh City Banbridge & Craigavon Borough
2017-2030Community Planning Governance Guide
Updated June 2019
Links to other documents: Date AgreedCommunity Planning and Strategic Partnership (CPSP) Terms of ReferenceThematic Action Planning Team Terms of Reference (TAP Team)Community Panel Terms of Reference (TBC)
ContentsContext..........................................................................3Our Governance Structure.............................................4Community Planning Strategic Partnership...................5Thematic Action Planning Teams..................................6Community Panel..........................................................8Engagement and Communications Working Group.......9Decision Making and Performance..............................10
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ContextThe aim of this document is to provide a clear guide to community planning structures in the borough. It will demonstrate how all the structures come together as part of the community planning partnership. It clearly sets out the remit and responsibilities of each of the bodies named in the governance structure.
The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 places a duty on local authorities to initiate, facilitate and maintain community planning in their area and a duty on statutory partners to fully engage with the process.
Community planning focuses on promoting positive outcomes for everyone, it is about public, private and voluntary organisations working together, and with communities to give them a say in how we plan and deliver better services which make a real difference to people’s lives. Communities are at the heart of process and this engagement is vital so that public services can improve.
The key to community planning is partnership working based on relationships of mutual trust and equality. The realisation of our vision for our area cannot be achieved by any one organisation working in isolation. Through working together, we can explore new, innovative and creative ways to deliver public services that will make a positive impact and bring about real change to help improve quality of life for all.
Connected: A Community Plan for the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough 2017-2030 is the overarching strategic plan. It contains a long term vision and aspirations for the borough whilst providing a framework for other strategies and plans. We have agreed nine long-term outcomes arranged under the strategic themes of Community, Economy and Place.
Our 2030 vision:
“We have a happy, healthy and connected community, a vibrant and sustainable economy and appealing
places for living, working and learning”
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Our Governance StructureCommunity planning in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough is driven through the following structure. The structure will be reviewed and adapted as necessary over time to meet community planning needs.
Community Planning Strategic Partnership (CPSP)The Community Planning Strategic Partnership will encourage strategic collaboration to grow and allow decisions to be made collectively. The key role of the CPSP is to provide overarching commitment to the implementation and monitoring and review of ‘Connected’ A Community Plan for Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon on behalf of the organisations they represent.
Thematic Action Planning TeamsThematic Action Planning Teams are to be action and outcome focussed. The key role of the teams is to agree delivery plans and appropriate methods for implementation as well as monitoring and reporting on the performance of actions and programmes identified though the action plans.
Community and Voluntary Sector PanelThe Community and Voluntary Sector Panel will ensure participation of the community and voluntary sector in the governance structure. It will promote partnership working with the sector whilst ensuring there is a community voice.
Engagement and Communications Working GroupAn Engagement and Communications Working Group consisting of representatives Community Planning Partners will develop a community engagement strategy and supporting communication
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plan for community planning in the borough. These will promote coordinated engagement and consistent messaging around the community plan.
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Community Planning Strategic PartnershipThe role of the Partnership is to set the strategic direction for community planning in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough.
RemitThe partnership will:
To drive the aims of the Community Planning in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon;
To agree the strategic objectives for Community Planning within the Borough;
To approve strategies and action plans proposed by the Thematic Action Planning Teams to meet the strategic objectives;
To support the Thematic Action Planning Teams; To support the development and monitor the implementation of
action plans; To assume overall accountability for performance monitoring and
reporting; To champion partnership working and lead by example; To programme manage the community planning process; To approve an annual Community Plan report; To ensure effective community engagement is at the heart of
community planning; and Monitor and review the Community Planning Structures
MembershipIn line with the Local Government (Community Planning Partners) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016. The Community Planning Strategic Partnership will consist of representation from each of the 13 Statutory Partners. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, as the lead organisation, will be represented by its Chief Executive and five elected members.
The Partnership are committed to reviewing and expanding membership to include individuals and organisations that will contribute to achieving the long-term outcomes. The partnership will look at and agree a process of how others (support partners) will be represented on the Community Planning Strategic Partnership.
ChairThe Partnership is chaired by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, representing councils lead role for community planning in the borough.
The position will be held in their absence, by the Vice Chair who will be a representative of a partner organisation.
MeetingsThe Partnership will meet at least four times per year. No business will be dealt with at any meeting unless a quorum is present; the quorum for a meeting shall be no less than six of the partner organisations.
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ReportingThe Community Planning Strategic Partnership will receive and review reports from the Thematic Action Planning Teams. Each partner will report to own management board/committee on key decisions. The CPSP will report to the Department for Communities every two years and progress will be reported to stakeholders and the wider community.
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Thematic Action Planning TeamsThe key role of the Thematic Action Planning Teams is to agree collaborative actions that contribute to realising the long-term outcomes in the community plan.
Thematic Action Planning Team Chair Council Lead
Healthy Community Gerard Rocks - SHSCT Mike ReardonConfident and Welcoming Barbara McNally – PSNI Seamus McCrorySkilled and Enterprising Ethna McNamee – Invest NI Nicola WilsonTourism Economy TBC – Tourism NI Brian JohnstonCreative Place Averil Morrow – EA Brian JohnstonEnhanced and Revitalised Ailbhe Hickey – NIHE Therese Rafferty
RemitThe action plans will focus on actions/activities where partners can achieve more by working together. A number of teams will be convened based on each of the long-term outcomes, and where a close strategic link has been identified between outcomes these will be progressed through a single action plan. A longer-term goal for community planning is for joint planning and delivery of services for the borough.
Action plans will be for a two-year period, and initially will aim to contribute to short-term outcomes in each thematic area through increased collaborative actions. Each Thematic Action Planning Team will be able to amend the Terms of Reference to suit the needs of their own group.
There are four key deliverables for each team1. Develop clear, achievable and measurable shared action plans to
cover a two-year period2. Consult with stakeholders and promote involvement of Section 75
groups in this process3. Implement performance management framework including review4. Ensure cross-cutting themes of equality, connectivity and
sustainability are integral to the action plans
ReportingTAP teams are accountable to the Community Planning Strategic Partnership (CPSP). Implementation will also be subject to approvals of the CPSP. A consistent and concise reporting template will be developed to support the gathering of information for each of the action plans. The partnership will report to the Department for Communities every two years and progress will also be reported to stakeholders and the wider community.
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MembershipThe teams will be operational and therefore membership will consist of statutory partners and other relevant partners from public, private and voluntary sector. Wider community engagement on the themes will happen in a parallel process. The Thematic Action Planning Team structure will be subject to review by the Community Planning Strategic Partnership.
ChairThe team will be chaired by a Community Planning Partner. Each team will also have a dedicated Council Lead and will be supported by the Community Planning Team. The Chair of each thematic action planning team will report on progress to the Community Planning Strategic Partnership.
Action Co-ordinatorIn order to assist in management of the action plans, it is necessary to identify a partner organisation to undertake the role of an ‘Action Co-ordinator for each individual action. The nature of the action lead is primarily for coordinating and reporting on the progress of each action. An Action Co-ordinator does not have sole responsibility for the achievement of an action, success on the action will depend on the active contribution of a number of partners. The key responsibilities include: Coordinate the contributions of identified partners to define and agree
the performance measures and the involvement of each identified partner towards the action.
Act as a key point of contact for the chair of the thematic action planning team in relation to that action and collate reporting on progress of the action for the chair using the performance measures identified.
The chairs of each thematic action planning team will collate and report progress on outcomes to the Community Planning Strategic Partnership.
To pass information about upcoming activities, opportunities to have your say and successful projects to the chair.
MeetingsIt is envisaged that the development of the action plans will require approximately four meetings over a 12-week period. The TAP teams will implement the action plans once they have been approved by the CPSP. The TAP teams themselves will be subject to review by the CPSP.
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Community and Voluntary Sector PanelThe community and voluntary sector plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for local communities across the Borough. At the same time, the Council and partners have a duty to provide opportunities for all sections of the community to participate in community planning. A community and voluntary sector panel will provide a means of ensuring that all sectors are actively involved and working in partnership to support the community planning.
RemitThe role and purpose of the Community and Voluntary Sector Panel is to:
Ensure the Community, Voluntary and Social Enterprise Sector is represented
to influence the community planning process through participation in the governance structures
to nominate representatives to sit on the Community Planning Strategic Partnership, the six Thematic Action Planning Teams and the Engagement and Communications Working Group
to build the capacity of the sector to participate in the community planning process
Promote ongoing Community Engagement to promote broad community engagement in the community
planning process, including all section 75 groups and across the borough
to connect the wider community and voluntary sector and existing partnerships, networks, forums and inter-agencies into the community planning process
to act in an advisory capacity to the Engagement and Communications Working Group
Articulate the voice of the Community and Voluntary Sector to ensure a two-way flow of information and communication
between the community planning structures and the wider sector and communities
to ensure the views, experiences and needs of those sections of the community who are seldom heard, are expressed, acknowledged and considered
to assess how the work of the Partnership and implementation of Plans meets the needs of those most marginalised and disadvantaged over time
Support the development of cross-sectoral relationships and improved partnership working
to increase collaboration between voluntary, statutory and business sectors through panel member participation in both the Community Planning Strategic Partnership and Thematic Action Planning Teams
Membership
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Membership of the Community and Voluntary Sector Panel is open to individuals from organisations and networks from across the borough. Membership is limited to one person per organisation. Recruitment is by completion of an Expression of Interest form
The Community and Voluntary Sector Panel will be convened for a period of three years after which membership will be reviewed and a new panel will be recruited. The panel will be subject to review by the Community Planning Strategic Partnership.
ChairChair position is held by John McGuinness, ABC Community Network and Vice Chair position is held by Geraldine Lawless, P2000.
MeetingsIt is anticipated that the Community and Voluntary Sector Panel will meet approximately four times a year. Panel members who are nominated onto the Community Planning Strategic Partnership, Thematic Action Planning Teams and working groups will attend additional meetings as required.
ReportingMembers will be involved in the Thematic Action Planning Teams and will have direct sight of papers and reports and be involved in discussion.
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Engagement and Communications Working GroupThe role of the engagement and communications working group is to set the strategic direction for community engagement for community planning in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and to promote a collaborative approach.
RemitThe working group will:
design an approach to community panel develop an engagement strategy for community planning within the
borough promote collaborative engagement activities champion community planning within their own organisations develop and deliver a joint communications plan for community planning
MembershipMembership of the working group are officers from the statutory partner organisations and representatives from the proposed community panel.
ChairProcess to nominate the chair to be agreed by working group.
MeetingsMeeting dates to be agreed once the working group
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Decision Making and PerformanceThe Community Planning and Strategic Partnership is the main decision making body within the partnership. The Thematic Action Planning Teams, the Community Panel and the Engagement & Communications Working Group advise and inform the Community Planning Strategic Partnership.
It is the duty of the chair to ensure that decision-making is clear, open, transparent and founded on consensus. All members are required to demonstrate commitment to and be willing to contribute to collaborative working. To enhance collaborative working it is anticipated that the Partnership will achieve consensus on issues and priorities, in the event of a vote being necessary each partner organisation will be entitled to exercise one vote. It will be at the discretion of the chair to decide if a vote is necessary or if consensus has been reached.
All agendas and notes from the partnership, the Tap teams and working groups will be available online at: www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/communityplanning or by contacting the Community Planning Team within Council via phone 0284060644 or via email to [email protected]
Outcomes and indicators from the community plan are included in the Council’s Corporate Plan and Directorate Plans were relevant. Community planning partners are encouraged to embed the outcomes, indicators and actions arising from the community plan and thematic action plans into their own organisational business plans.
Department for Communities in conjunction with partners are in the process developing a performance management framework for community planning.
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Table 1: Statutory Partners
Organisation Represented by:
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Chief Executive, Roger Wilson
Council for Catholic and Maintained Schools (CCMS)
Director of Education, Gillian McGrath
Education Authority (EA) Assistant Director of Children’s and Young People’s Services, Ruth Bell
Health and Social Care Board Director, Louise Mc Mahon
Invest NI Regional Manager, Ethna McNamee
Libraries NI Assistant Director, Adrienne Adair
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS)
Southern Area Commander, Eddie Carroll (Interim)
Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)
Director of Finance Audit & Assurance, Catherine McFarland
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
Chief Inspector, Bernard O’Connor
Public Health Agency (PHA) Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement, Colette Rogers
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Director of Children and Young People Services and Executive Director of Social Work, Paul Morgan
Sport NI Capital Manager, William Devlin
Tourism NI Director of Product Development, Rosemarie McHugh
Table 2: Support Partners
Organisation Represented by:
Business Partnership Alliance Chairperson, Adrian FarrellCommunity and Voluntary Sector Panel
Director of ABC Community Network, John McGuinnessChairperson of Banbridge Twinning Association, Gilbert Lee
Department for Communities Community Planning Manager, Nichola
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CreaghSouthern Regional College Director of Curriculum, Keith Kilpatrick
Table 3: Elected Members
Elected Member Party
Councillor Julie Flaherty, Chair of Governance, Resources & Strategy Committee
Ulster Unionist Party(UUP)
Councillor Garath Keating, Vice-Chair of Governance, Resources & Strategy Committee
Sinn Féin(SF)
Councillor Paul Greenfield Democratic Unionist Party(DUP)
Councillor Thomas Larkham Social Democratic & Labour Party(SDLP)
Councillor Peter Lavery Alliance(APNI)
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