Relationship with the Belfast Regeneration Office

The Partnership Board is core funded by the Belfast Regeneration Office. As part of the process of making the Partnership's work central to local regeneration efforts, it has formalised its relationship with the Belfast Regeneration Office. From 2000 to 2004, this relationship was formalised in a Service Level Agreement. The Service Level Agreement committed both the Partnership and the Belfast Regeneration Office to joint working in order to develop regeneration proposals, which was targeted at those communities within South Belfast experiencing multiple deprivation. This core relationship with the Regeneration Office continues through a contractual relationship linked to the implementation of the Department of Social Development's Neighbourhood Renewal Policy.

In order to effectively plan for sustainable regeneration the Partnership, in fulfilling its commitments under the Service Level Agreement, has developed a comprehensive Statement of Need for South Belfast.

The Statement of Need provides both quantitative and qualitative baseline information indicating the prime causes, and factors contributing to the disadvantage which exist in many areas of South Belfast. It is updated annually through a Statement of Need Annual Statistical Supplement. It is a robust and objective document and one that the wider community has validated through the implementation of an inclusive consultation framework.

The Statement of Need has been a useful tool to assist in the identification of priorities and ensure resources are targeted in such a way as to benefit those communities in greatest need.