People are being invited to have their say on a major community plan for the local council area.
Derry City and Strabane District Council has created a ‘Local Community Plan’ to set out development proposals for the council area until 2030.
A series of workshops will now be held to give people a chance to find out more about the plan and to put forward their views on it.
So far hundreds of local people have already engaged with the process and progress has been made in terms of gauging the key areas of need across the district.
Local communities shall consider establishing a local Community Planning Forum in each of the seven District Electoral Areas, and one in Strabane town.
These forums will play a key role in shaping public service delivery and realising the objectives identified in each community area.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, is calling for people across the district to take this opportunity to be a part of the Local Community Planning process.
“I am delighted by the response to the Local Community Planning process so far, but there’s much more work to be done in gauging the real needs of each community area,” she said.
“The Community Plan can only truly reflect the needs of all citizens if people identify the specific areas of concern in their area - whether that’s lack of play provision or community funding.
“I’m calling on everyone to take this opportunity to highlight the priorities for their area, and help to develop a plan which will improve and enhance our local areas for the benefit of all.”
Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, stressed that the Local Community Planning process formed an integral part of the overall strategic Community Plan for the entire council area.
“I want to thank everyone who has participated in the Local Community Planning process to date, we have been overwhelmed by the response from the public and we would like to see that momentum continuing.
“Inclusion is central to the success of this process and we want the Local Community Plans to embody the aspirations of as wide a spectrum of our citizens as possible. So with that in mind, I want to urge people to attend and find out how - by working together - we can overcome the social, economic and environmental challenges that affect us all.”
The first Local Community Plan workshop will be held at Brooke Park Leisure Centre on Monday, October 10, from 10am to 12 noon.
The next day, October 11, workshops will be held in the Shared Future Centre at Irish Street, Long Tower Community Centre and the Fountain Primary School, from 10am to 12 noon, 2.30pm to 4.30pm and from 7pm to 9pm respectively.
On Wednesday, October 12, a workshop will be held at Eglinton Community Centre from 10am to 12 noon.
There will be further workshops at Newbuildings Community Centre and St Eithne’s Primary School from 7pm to 9pm.
On Thursday, October 13, a workshop will be held from 7pm to 9pm at Foyle Arena.
Finally, on Monday, October 17, workshops will be held at St Brigid’s Centre in Carnhill from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and from 7pm to 9pm at St Joseph’s Parish Centre in Galliagh.
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