Community Relations Council

Hazelwood Community Partnership

Terms of Reference

The erection of the interface fence at Hazelwood Primary School brought about a renewed focus on community tensions in the greater Whitewell area.  The geographical area covered includes Fairyknowe, Longlands, Old Throne, Whitecity, Whitewell, Graymount and Bawnmore and is also affected by issues in Rathcoole, Glengormley and the Shore Road.

The fence itself is symbolic of fractured relationships and ongoing community tensions that need to be addressed through an initiative which would identify opportunities to support and develop further the work already taking place to build good relations locally.

Aim

The aim of this interagency project is to support the community in building good relations by delivering practical responses to all issues arising from community tensions in the greater Whitewell area and ensuring good local partnership working between community and statutory agencies.

Objectives

1. To engage all parts of the local community in the Greater Whitewell area in a focussed community planning exercise to identify good relations issues.
2. To identify priorities and actions arising from the community planning exercise to be aligned to other area based planning mechanisms.
3. To agree an action plan for good relations in the area, including the responsibility of different organisations.  This will include the commitment of resources.
4. Deliver improved services as a result of collaboration
5. To report on progress after an agreed period of time, incorporating a review of the area to be included and assist in reporting progress on good relations.

The process to date has identified the need for the development of a joined up interagency structure to develop a vision, delivery structures and management of a comprehensive action plan to transform the area into a shared and safe place to live.

Membership

The project will seek to engage with all local interests including representatives of community, voluntary and statutory agencies and will involve representation from the Community Relations Council, North Belfast Community Action Unit and LINC.  It will also seek the support of political representatives.

Partnership working

All partners within the process will be valued participants, who are committed to the process which seeks to meet the above aim and objectives. Individual agencies will take responsibility for their own actions and regular communication will be made to political representatives from the area.

Meeting Schedule

Meetings will occur monthly for the first six months of the project and bi-monthly after this. Meeting dates will be scheduled six months in advance to encourage full participation. Community partners will meet in advance of each meeting to discuss key issues emerging from minutes, items for the forthcoming agenda and decide who will represent them at the meeting. Local venues will be used for meetings.

Meeting Guidelines

These guidelines have been developed to assist in dialogue and development work about interface issues which can often address difficult and sensitive matters.

Members of the Hazelwood Community Partnership (HCP) are asked to agree to follow some basic guidelines:

1. Dialogue around interface issues is based on respect for the opinions and contributions of other participants.  Members are asked to participate in the HCP in a manner that creates a safe and supported environment where everyone feels free to:

Ø     participate fully;

Ø     speak honestly about what you feel and think; and

Ø     challenge each other in a spirit of constructive criticism

We can achieve this by acknowledging that different people are in different places in terms of their knowledge, understanding and opinion about interface issues 

1. All contributions to discussions are to be treated with a level of confidentiality to the participant group.  Nothing shared at meetings should be used in a negative way outside of them.
2. Participants will be expected to show a commitment to the agreed process and attend on a continuous basis and will inform the group if they wish to withdraw.

To view Minutes 2009 click on the links below
February
April
May
June
September
October
November