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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey Outlines Her Plans for 2021

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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey Outlines Her Plans for 2021 6th January 2021 E-Zine Welcome to Supporting Communities 157th Edition of E-Zine, bringing you Best Practice from the Community Sector; Funding and Training Updates and Policy Developments in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey outlines her plans for 2021 Communities Minister Deirdre Speaking at Parliament Buildings, the Minister also Hargey has set out some of her paid tribute to Carál Ní Chuilín MLA for navigating the key priorities for the New Year Department for Communities through the challenges following her return to the of Covid-19. Department. The Minister said: “Covid-19 has resulted in drastic The Minister also committed to changes in people’s lives; I want to thank, Carál Ní delivering on the biggest Chuilín, for the vital support she has provided to transformational housing reform people and families across our communities. Carál’s in a generation; ensuring the social security system priority was to make sure support was provided to delivers for people most in need; to drive forward those most in need, including some of our hardest hits changes to gambling and liquor licensing; and to sectors like charities, arts, culture, heritage & progress the recently launched social and language language, sports, and social enterprises.” strategies. Congratulating Deirdre Hargey on her re-appointment Minister Hargey said: “I am delighted to be back as Carál Ní Chuilín commented on her time in the Minister for Communities and look forward to Department. She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time progressing work that I had started earlier this year. at the Department and I want to thank all the staff for “My goals remain the same and I am committed to their tireless work these past months. Their delivering for people and families. My Department will commitment to getting things done and ensuring the continue to work together with key stakeholders, delivery of services and support to those in need including grassroots organisations for a fair and throughout this pandemic was inspiring. They should inclusive society by transforming support for be justly proud of all they have achieved and the communities, people and places to improve lives and service they have provided the public during these deliver generational change.” most difficult of times.” Concerns about long-term solution for parcels moving between GB and NI Consumer Council raises concerns Following the publication of temporary Kellin McCloskey, Head of Postal Services at The guidance for parcels moving between Consumer Council, said: “Whilst this new guidance Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland provides some level of reassurance for consumers (NI) from 1 January 2021, The particularly during the pandemic, it points to added Consumer Council has said it remains administration for many businesses ordering supplies concerned about the long-term solution over £135. It also does not provide the added for NI consumers and businesses. certainty for online retailers to continue to supply to NI consumers in the long-term. “The Consumer Council Guidance, published on the 31 December 2020, on remain concerned that any long term solution which parcels moving between GB and NI says there will be involves customs declarations and checks will impact a three month grace period for online orders and all on NI consumers in terms of additional cost, or a consumer parcels from GB. However, NI businesses reduction in the number of retailers selling to NI. receiving a parcel with goods valued over £135 will have to submit a declaration through The Trader “We will continue to work with UK Government to Support Service within three months. reinforce this issue.” NICVA launches Community Wellbeing and Resilience Programme NICVA has launched a new support package for NICVA Chief community and voluntary sector staff and volunteers Executive, Seamus working on the frontline of the coronavirus response. McAleavey said: Organised by NICVA, delivered by Inspire Wellbeing “We have been very and supported by the Department for Communities, conscious that lots of the project will provide access to specially developed staff and volunteers online webinars, programmes and resources tailored have been working to support individuals wellbeing. on the frontline during the COVID crisis helping others and some of them may need some support Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “I’m themselves. People can hit a wall and are often in delighted to be supporting this initiative, which is part danger of ‘burn out’." of a wider programme of community wellbeing interventions that has been co designed with Kerry Anthony CEO of Inspire said “We are delighted grassroots partners. to be working with NICVA to deliver this important programme to our colleagues in the voluntary and The wellbeing of our frontline community workers is community sector. Volunteers, staff and activists an absolute priority for us, in the same way that the from right cross our sector were at the forefront of the wellbeing of those in need across our communities response to Covid19 in countless ways and it is only has been a priority for them since the pandemic right that we offer help and support to those people began. We are now supporting their resilience as we who continue to offer so much help and support to face into the continued uncertainty of 2021 when we others.” will meet the challenges that Covid may throw up, as we prepare for recovery together. This programme will be free to access and open to all in our sector. I look forward to hearing about the impact of this exciting initiative from community sector participants.” For further information and to access the programme click here. NI ASSEMBLY UPDATE Assembly Business The most recent plenary sessions of the Assembly considered Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Public Petition: Provision of Free Period Products in all Schools, Ministerial Statements on North/South Ministerial Council: Tourism and North/South Ministerial Council: Trade and Business Development, Summer 2021 Examinations: Contingency Arrangements and Independent Review of Education: Terms of Reference The report of the plenary sessions of the Assembly are available at; http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/officialreport/officialreport.aspx Committee for Communities The minutes of meetings of the Communities Committee are available at; http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/2017-2022/communities/minutes-of- proceedings/session-2020---2021/ Most primary legislation that passes through the Northern Ireland Assembly is brought forward by the relevant Minister. However, bills can also be introduced by an individual Member or Assembly Committees. The Member is required to lodge their consultation paper with the Bill Office within 4 months of the date on which the initial proposal was lodged. A final proposal should then be lodged with the Bill Office as soon as possible after the end of consultation and in any case within 4 months of the consultation paper being lodged. The Assembly has a number of Private Members Bills out for consultation at; http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/ 2 PRS2020 Conference report: Future-Proofing Private Housing Rights held its annual conference on the private rented sector on the 25 November 2020. TDSNI sponsored this year’s conference, with support from PropertyPal and Electrical Safety First. The conference focused on future-proofing the sector and meeting Covid-19 challenges. The Minister highlighted the importance of both securing and sustaining tenancies. The day was grouped into 3 main sessions: • Sector Overview She also underlined her commitment to extend Notice • Major Challenges in the PRS to Quit to protect tenants, push forward intermediate • Landlords and Tenants rents to improve affordability, and build new homes to reduce pressure. Sector Overview Chair Paddy Gray and Housing Rights Director Janet Minister’s statement Hunter introduced the conference’s context and For a full report of the conference including the slides purpose in the Covid-19 period. Then, Minister for and materials from the presentations, go to the Communities Carál Ní Chuilín, gave an overview of Housing Rights website at; PRS2020 Conference her department’s plans to improve the private rented report: Future-Proofing Private Renting | Housing sector. Rights Consultations A Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations The Consultation took place in 2017 Summary This Consultation Outcome Report sets out feedback from consultees. 18 of the proposals for change will proceed as per the original 2017 consultation. Two of the proposals (intimidation points and interim accommodation points) will not proceed and options will be explored for alternative proposals. The report also sets out next steps and timescales for implementation by the Housing Executive. To view the report, go to; Consultation Outcome Report- A Fundermental Review of Social Housing Allocations (communities-ni.gov.uk) Small Scale Green Energy Bill The bill will incentivise the growth of micro renewable energy generation in homes, farms, businesses and community co-ops by requiring major electricity providers to pay a minimum price for electricity generated by small scale green generators. John O’Dowd, MLA; Sinn Fein. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FCK26RR Closing Date; 15th January 2021 Consultation on Draft Northern Ireland Flood Risk Management Plan 2021-2027 The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is the competent authority
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