MP Mike Penning Minister of State for Northern Ireland recently visited the Down Capacity Building Initiative offices at Railway Court Bangor. The group welcomed the Minister to their newly established office along with MP’s Lady Sylvia Hermon and Jim Shannon, MLA’s, local Councillors and other invited guests.
Those gathered where welcomed and addressed by David Mahaffey a member of the DCBI who explained the on going work and planning for the future the group has engaged in and having produced a report on Renewing Communities Building a positive future with Professor Peter Shirlow are now developing the Renewing Communities II Communities in Transition Plan 2013 – 2016, the audience also heard praise of the groups activities from guest speakers Martin Snodden from Northern Spring and Catherine Mallon Good Relations Officer of North Down Borough Council.
The two local MPs also said a few words before the Minister spoke to the room and thanked the group for their invitation to visit Ards and North Down and gave the DCBI encouragement to continue the good work they are doing for the local communities.
I was lucky to be invited to the opening which was very well attended by people from all classes and a broad spectrum of Northern Ireland society. The work outlined at the event, which is being carried out by the group across the borough, was welcomed by the statutory agencies with whom they are working with to achieve better standards for people living across North Down. One of the major positives I found on the day was the input from North Down borough council community relations officer who explained that working with the group has saved the council upwards of £100,000 on the issue surrounding bonfire management and subsequent clean ups in the borough.
Positive work carried out in communities which sadly goes unnoticed and does not get the credit it deserves.
Well done to all involved.