Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership Moves Forward ::

Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership (LSP) has made major progress in moving its Peace II Programme forward at a meeting held on Thursday 25 April 2002 in Banbridge District Council offices. This meeting, which was attended by representatives from local and central government, trade unions, business, community/voluntary and farming sectors, proved successful for two reasons.

Banbridge District’s LSP Programme Manager, Joanne Morgan and Secretary, Liam Hannaway, congratulate its new Chair, Nigel Smith and Vice-Chairs, Pamela Arlow-Johnston and Councillor Catherine McDermott.

Firstly, Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership‘s Integrated Local Strategy and Peace II Action Plan has been approved by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Secondly, it appointed its first ever Chair and two Vice-Chairs for 2003. The newly appointed Chair, Nigel Smith, who represents the community/voluntary sector, commented, “I am extremely delighted to be able to play a key role in the development of this new partnership initiative. Now the onus is upon us to quickly get our Peace II Programmes up and running and to ensure the £1.2m EU grant allocation contributes to the prosperity of the District as a whole.”

Elected as the new Vice-Chairs were Councillor Catherine McDermott, who represents the statutory sector and Pamela Arlow-Johnston, who represents the social partner group.

Plans are being put in place to officially launch the Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership and its Peace II Programmes in September 2002. A number of information workshops will be held in June to advise the public about a range of initiatives including the Partnership’s Peace II Action Plan. The next Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership meeting is scheduled for 14 June 2002.

The Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership replaces the former Banbridge District Partnership, which operated from 1996 until 2001, and was responsible for distributing Peace I monies throughout the District.