UUP advises much needed changes to DSD Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Urban Regeneration spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw, has written to the Chairman of the Social Development Committee seeking assurances that the results from the current consultation process on the performance of DSD’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy – People and Place, will be meaningfully considered and recommendations acted upon.
Ms Bradshaw, who is also the Chairman on the South-West Belfast Neighbourhood Partnership Board responsible for delivering the strategy in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas of the City, welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback to the Committee. In a statement she said,
“From the start of the implementation of this Strategy there was have been very significant problems for those trying to deliver on the ground. The absence of a Single Regeneration Budget, that is afforded to our counterparts on the mainland, and no information coming from the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit of DSD as to how much each Neighbourhood Partnership Board is being allocated, it is very difficult to know how best to proceed with the process in terms of priorities.
The current consultation process is due to end on 8th November 2007 and the Ulster Unionist Party is encouraging all those involved with the Neighbourhood Partnership Boards to contribute to this monitoring exercise to ensure that much needed changes to the implementation mechanisms can be introduced.”