Banbridge District’s Future In Focus

Over seventy representatives from the public, private and community/voluntary sectors came together today to celebrate the official launch of ‘Our Future in Focus’, an updated review of The Bridge Partnership’s (Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership Limited) Integrated Local Strategy for the Banbridge District. The reviewed strategy identifies how the District has undergone major improvement across nine priority areas in the last three years, and examines how these will be further developed in the future.

Speaking at the event, Catherine McDermott, Chairperson of The Bridge Partnership stated, “ ‘Our Future in Focus’ holds the key to our area’s future because it sets out a common vision and strategic framework for the sustainable development of our District. It assesses all elements of life and addresses the issues of most concern to the local people by focusing on nine core themes. It also highlights a number of key successes already achieved in many areas, including improvements in infrastructure, environmental schemes, increase in business space and business start-ups, economic regeneration projects, new arts facilities, community development projects, health care and childcare improvements, visitor enhancements, rural support, educational improvements, community safety initiatives, sports development and facility enhancements – all of which impact the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the District. It also examines how funding from EU, regional and local sources have been directed at geographical areas, sectors, issues and people most in need within the District.”

Robert Gilmore, Chief Executive, Banbridge District Council who is a member of The Bridge Partnership’s Board, stated, “ ‘Our Future in Focus’ lays the foundations for building a better future for our District, as it examines how we have tackled disadvantage across a broad range of themes considered critical to our area’s further development. It not only demonstrates how our District has improved over the last three years, but it also examines those areas in need of development and proposes how we will address these. This year, the Council has successfully secured an increased level of EU grant aid for the District. It will continue working very closely with The Bridge Partnership in order to ensure our District is developed through a joined-up, co-ordinated partnership approach, where all key organisations with a development responsibility work in harmony to meet the evolving needs of our area during the timeframe of European funding and beyond.”

Hosted at the Iveagh Movie Studios in Banbridge, the event also highlighted how the District and its inhabitants are benefiting from The Bridge Partnership’s nine PEACE II Programmes. These include the training being delivered to individuals and companies in areas such as childcare, skills development and ICT, the capital support being allocated to social economy regeneration projects, the development of an integrated community infrastructure, the improvement of services for young people and much more. The Partnership also showcased the success of some of its theme-related projects, which it has supported to date, for example, the provision of a play park in Lissize Park in Rathfriland.

A copy of ‘Our Future in Focus’ is available to download by visiting wwww.bridgepartnership.org.uk