Good Relations Programme
As a statutory requirement Good Relations is an integral part of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s work.
The legal context of Good Relations comes from Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which states that in addition to statutory equality duties “Public Authorities are also required to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, and racial group.”
Council's Good Relations programme aims to provide opportunities for civic and community leaders to promote the area as a model of best practice in developing respect, understanding and tolerance of the cultural, historical and traditional diversity of the residents.
Programme Delivery
We are continuiously seeking new innovative ideas and ways to deliver our Good Relations programme. Your input into how we can do that is important to us. We would love to hear your thoughts on ways that you or your service users may be interested in engaging in Good Relations activities that will contibute to developing and building positive relations within our Borough.
We would also like to hear of any FREE Good Relations Programmes that you are delivering. Just send the details to us if you would like us consider promoting your Good Relations activities in our newsletter.
If you have any thoughts or ideas on how you would like us to deliver programmes and activities that you would be of interest to you, please do get in touch.
You can contact Good Relations Staff via email or telephone as follows:
Good Relations General email address: good.relations@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk
Gerard McIlroy, Good Relations Officer,
Email: gerard.mcilroy@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk Mobile: 07517 498458
Joy Wisener, Good Relations Officer,
Email:joy.wisener@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk Mobile: 07598 403773
Patricia Harkin, Good Relations Manager,
Email: patricia.harkin@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk Mobile: 07702 331430
Good Relations Strategy
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations Strategy 2023 - 2026 identifies the key outcomes, methodologies and actions required to ensure effective delivery of a Good Relations action plan throughout the Borough.
A comprehensive consultation process was undertaken when carrying our the audit for the development of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Good Relations Strategy and Action Plan. It was designed to ensure that all Section 75 groups, the public, elected members, council staff, statutory sector representatives, young people, businesses, voluntary and community groups, and key institutions engaged in good relations work were given an opportunity to contribute to the development process. A number of methodologies were employed, including public meetings, focus groups, one-to-one interviews, a street survey, online surveys (for public, staff, young people and businesses), and desk top research. The primary research and consultation process was undertaken between December 2022 and February 2023. The Strategy was then developed to meet the needs identified in the audit and subsequently approved by Council.
The Good Relations Strategy and action plan reflects the Northern Ireland Executive’s commitment Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) strategy through its 4 main aims:
Our Children and Young People - to continue to improve attitudes among our young people and to build a community where they can play a full and active role in building Good Relations;
Our Shared Community - to create a community where division does not restrict the life opportunities of individuals and where all areas are open and accessible to all;
Our Safe Community - to create a community where everyone feels safe in moving around and where life choices are not inhibited by fears around safety;
Our Cultural Expression - to create a community which promotes mutual respect and understanding, is strengthened by its diversity, and where cultural expression is celebrated and embraced
The programme for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council provides formal structured engagement and promotes partnership working to ensure additionality and complementarity between the strategies and plans for which the council has responsibility.
The Good Relations Team are responsible for the development and delivery of all projects within the action plan and ensure best use of resources and funding in order to provide greatest value for money.
You can register your interest to receive information on any upcoming good relations programmes being delivered in the Council area, by emailing the Good Relations Department Email: good.relations@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or by contacting one of the Good Relations staff members detailed above.
You can download a copy of our most recent Good Relations Strategy below.
