Sinn Fein councillor Eric McGinley
The council also noted with concern significant funding cuts faced by NR funded groups and bodies and that the Council requests a meeting with the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Communities to challenge.
Councillor McGinley said: “In the many years of its existence Neighbourhood Renewal (NR) has brought vital frontline services to disadvantaged communities as well as providing employment for local people within the community sector.
“Central Government has recognised the worth of NR through its annual funding but there now exists a real threat to projects and initiatives as the British Government’s austerity agenda cuts into the block grant and departmental budgets.
“In the forthcoming period Local Growth Partnerships will come into existence and there will be a legislative and moral responsibility on Council, Departments and Agencies to ensure that adequate resources are provided which will allow these eight partnerships to serve all our citizens.
“In that respect it is illogical to think that the ambitions and objectives of community planning will be undermined because of cuts to vital NR budgets and it is important that Council challenges any such moves.
“An important step would be to seek an urgent meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Communities.”
The Motion: That this Council reaffirms it’s commitment as a partner to the Neighbourhood Renewal People and Place Strategy, that this Council notes with concern significant funding cuts faced by NR funded groups and bodies and that this Council requests a meeting with the Permanent Secretary for the Department for Communities to challenge the proposed cuts to Neighbourhood Renewal budgets.
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