Mayor hosts Christmas Reception for the Community & Voluntary Sector

Mon, December 21, 2015

Mayor hosts Christmas Reception for the Community & Voluntary Sector

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan hosted a Christmas Reception on Thursday 10th December for community and voluntary groups from across the Borough.

The Mayor, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan said, “The community and voluntary sector has a vital role to play in our society. Community development and building good community relations is by its nature challenging.  There is an ongoing need for communities to continue to work in partnership with each other and with statutory agencies to build healthy, vibrant communities.

”I thank all those in community and voluntary groups for your tireless commitment to the needs of all who live and work in our Borough. You are helping to build local community infrastructure and supporting Council to deliver its services - ultimately working together to improve the quality of life within local communities. I thank you for your contributions and wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Council has shown a real commitment in its first year of operation to provide resources which support local communities to engage in valuable community development work.

Since April 2015, through its Community Support Plan, part funded by the Department for Social Development, Council’s Community Services Team has processed grants to the value of almost £176,000 for 173 local groups to carry out projects to meet the needs of their communities.

These awards have realized an impressive amount of over 50,000 volunteer hours of community based work in the first six months of the current financial year. In addition the Good Relations Plan and the Together Building a United Community Fund part funded through OFMDFM, promotes good relations across the Borough, supporting activities which benefit the area and lead to better understanding and respect between individuals and communities. 

ENDS