Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a public consultation on a new Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework.

The Framework will determine the priorities for urban regeneration and community development policies and programmes over the coming years. These are more familiar in the shape of large projects like the Victoria Square development, Public Realm improvements in town centres and Neighbourhood Renewal activity.

Minister McCausland said: "The wellbeing of our communities is one of my key concerns. The Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework has at its core one of my department's strategic themes namely ;Strengthened Communities and Vibrant Urban Areas'. I firmly believe that for Northern Ireland to truly prosper, we need to come together to tackle deprivation, strengthen the competitiveness of our towns and cities and develop connected, cohesive and engaged communities - communities that can identify their own needs and work with government and others in meeting those needs."

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The Policy Framework has been organised around four strategic policy objectives which aim to provide the foundation for addressing the underlying structural problems of urban areas and help in the creation of confident, competitive and connected communities. These objectives are supported by four enabling objectives.

A key element is the intention to strengthen commitment to an outcomes-focused approach which will concentrate on improving the quality, quantity and sustainability of what is achieved. This will be done by placing results ahead of process; drawing on a sound empirical base; responding to the evidenced priority needs of the community; and improving the co-ordination and integration of public services.

(CD/GK)