Councils Crucial to Recovery – Regeneration Calls Voiced and Ministers engage with NILGA on sustainable council finances, post Covid policies, a new Economy and better partnership across government.

BI-MONTHLY ACTION MEETING – All Councils, Tuesday 3rd August 2021

A. Covid Recovery Plan The Consolidated NI Covid Recovery Plan has now been published. There was reference made to Councils receiving further grants to level up as well as the new Programme for Government. ACTION: NILGA to prepare a summary of the NI Covid Recovery Plan for Members.

Treasury are continuing to support the same financial deficit into 2023 with money going to Stormont initially and then on to Councils.

B. Ministerial Engagements There is continued engagement with MHCLG Minister, Luke Hall MP, on the Shared Prosperity Fund and Levelling Up Fund. MHCLG have asked Councils for their views on the future of the SPF. Lisa O’Kane has been in touch with all Councils Heads of Economic Development regarding this. She is yet to hear back from , and North Down, Fermanagh & Omagh, Causeway Coast & Glens, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon, and . The MHCLG NI office has now been set up in Belfast. ACTION: NILGA to invite Minister Hall to a NILGA Executive meeting in the latter part of 2021.

NILGA members met with Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, on Monday 2nd August. Members were keen to discuss space for enterprise with demand currently outstripping supply. Minister Lyons has also indicated he is keen to attend the LG Conference on 24th November in the Clandeboye Hotel, and will support the Entrepreneurial Programme awarded by Interreg Europe to councils in NI, via NILGA, with participation opportunities to follow.

C. OB and OB alternate policy session Members agreed to hold a policy & business planning session in Sept / Oct 2021 to plan for the next year. ACTION: NILGA to organise a Planning Event for attendees of the fortnightly meeting to include OBs and their alternates.

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D. Staff Commission Members supported the dissolution of the outgoing Commission and spoke of how the Councils and support bodies like SOLACE & NILGA must take forward vital workforce development and innovative, accountable, recruitment processes. The value of the Commission’s historic work was recognised, but a new way forward is required.

E. AOB Cllr Nicholl explained that the new Rural Policy Framework is now with all Councils and encouraged all Council LAGs to get involved.

Key Dates EIA Network: Tuesday 10th August 2021 NILGA AGM & Executive Business: Friday 13th August 2021 NILGA OB Action Meeting: Tuesday 17th August 2021

***Local Government Conference Date Wednesday 24th November 2021 (Bangor) SAVE THE DATE NOTICE TO BE WIDELY CIRCULATED ***

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