News Release Page Title

19 January 2007

CAIRNS WELCOMES OMAGH'S PLANS FOR ITS FUTURE

Omagh District Council has published a pilot Community Plan for the Omagh area under the proposed new system of community planning.

This followed the statement by Peter Hain on the outcome of the Review of Public Administration in November last year, when he said that, by 2009, a new system of community planning would be introduced, with a statutory duty on councils to develop plans to address the requirements of their communities.

Local Government Minister David Cairns welcomed the publication of the pilot Community Plan and said: "Community planning provides the framework within which we can develop a society that has sustainable and vibrant communities; a society that is tolerant of differences and promotes diversity in all aspects of public life and a society that has equality and social justice considerations at its core."

David Cairns said Omagh District Council's Community Plan recognised the value of a co-ordinated approach to public service delivery involving other key providers and commended it for its leadership, foresight, and determination to work in partnership with others to produce this pilot Community Plan. He added that the experience developed and the lessons learned would be invaluable as preparations are made for the implementation of community planning across the new councils.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Community Plan can be viewed at www.omagh.gov.uk

  2. The statement by the Secretary of State on the outcome of the Review of Public Administration on 22 November 2005 announced that a new system of community planning would be introduced, with a statutory duty on Councils to develop and co-ordinate the delivery of a plan to address the requirement of their communities. These plans will be built on the principles of sustainable development as set out in the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy. Other public service organisations will be directed in legislation to co-operate fully with Councils in this planning.

  3. The development and monitoring of further pilot community plans, to inform statutory guidance, will be taken forward through the Local Government Reform Taskforce established by the Local Government Minister in March

  4. Further news media enquiries contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003

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