By Lisa McElherron from NICVA
Published on 29 Aug 2007
Lisa McElherron, Policy Development Manager at NICVA, has a look back at the first one hundred days of the Assembly and casts a glance at what may be in store for the sector over the next few months.
2 September will see the end of the summer recess as MLAs once again get ready to do business in Stormont. There is no doubt that the months since May 8 have seen some remarkable developments.
Smiling First and Deputy First Minister have hosted the Scottish SNP First Minister, the President of the European Union and new British Prime Minister. The North South Ministerial Council has met as has the Council of the Isles.
Water charges and reviewing the review
Water charges have had a stay of execution for a year.
Water charges have a stay of execution for a year as a review of Water services, headed by Paddy Hilliard, takes a closer look at this controversial area. However, water charges aren’t the only thing under review.
Developments in the RPA have been called to a halt as Ministers have a rethink on the proposals for changes to local government, health and education.
The Civic Forum has also come under some scrutiny and as a result of President Barrosso’s visit a joint EU/NI taskforce is currently exploring now NI makes the most of the opportunities presented by the European Union.
The voluntary and community sector
What of the voluntary and community sector in all this? Voluntary and community organisations are definitely up for the challenge of engaging with the Assembly. As the Assembly was finding its feet so was the sector. Recent information sessions on Getting to Know the Assembly, organised by NICVA were attended by over 100 people.
Staff and volunteers from organisations have been spotted in the public galleries at plenary sessions and committee meetings. The Joint Government Voluntary and Community Sector Forum has met twice with DSD Minister Margaret Richie.
NICVAs political/lobbying conference for this year will look at the voluntary and community sector can organise itself better to make the most of these opportunities.
At a policy level many organisations have engaged in the review of rates and water charges. NICVA and Community Technical Aid have produced a paper (580kb Word Document) outlining the key issues for the sector in relation to RPA and are planning a conference on this in November. What ever the outcomes of Minister Foster's review of the review we want to see community planning stay and have written to all MLAs expressing our views on this.
Voluntary and community representatives from the Civic Forum have met and agreed that they would like to see a new, sleeker more robust model for civic engagement. In relation to the EU taskforce NICVA is working to ensure that the role and activity of voluntary and community organisations are highlighted to the Taskforce.
A look ahead
Looking forward to the next session of the Assembly we expect to be very busy indeed. As well as the outcomes from the reviews mentioned above we want to see some action on the appointment of a Commissioner for Older People.
We’d like community planning pilots and the Environmental Protection Agency up and running as soon as possible. Minister Richie has made housing a key priority and we’d like to see positive solutions to this issue starting with the mandatory licensing of all private landlords.
Most of all we want to see the Programme for Government and Budget. It’s expected to come out for consultation in November and NICVA and local community networks will be hosting information and consultation events in six locations across Northern Ireland. Details will follow as soon as dates have been confirmed.
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