Community Involvement

Community Sector involvement in the Partnership is drawn from a Community Support Group of twenty elected and co-opted members. These were initially drawn from all of the community and voluntary groups that operate in South Belfast, and who were involved in the elective process. This process was agreed after a period of intensive deliberation and consultation with the above groups, which endorsed principles of inclusion, equity and transparency. The above process attempted to secure representation, which was balanced in terms of religious, gender and culture.

This process has broadened the representation and skills base available to the Partnership, and has established a body, which provides a strategic link between the Partnership Board and the community groups operating at local level, and which is available to potential partners to develop specific initiatives at local level.

Belfast City Council Involvement

Belfast City Council has nominated eight representatives from the eleven who represent South Belfast on the Council. This reflects the party political representation of the area.

Statutory/Public Sector Involvement

Representation of this sector comprises the following departments:

• Department of Social Development, represented b nominees from Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Belfast Regeneration Office
• Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, represented by a nominee from Invest NI
• Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, represented by a nominee from South and East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, and
• Department of Education represented by a nominee from Belfast Education and Library Board.

Private Sector/Business Involvement

The private sector in South Belfast is a diverse body ranging from banks and building societies to small and medium sized enterprises operating in the manufacturing and service field. The area also contains Queen's University, one of the largest employers in the city. Altogether this sector represents a valuable source of organisational and professional skills combined with the knowledge and expertise of the commercial world.

Three of the representatives from this sector on the South Belfast Partnership have been nominated by Business in the Community, which provides a range of support to local community endeavour through its South Belfast Business Support Team. The other Representative is drawn from a local Traders Association, which represents the many small independent traders who make a vital contribution to the commercial and community life of South Belfast.