Called for joined up approach to Neighbourhood Renewal programmes

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has called for a more "joined up" approach to the Neighbourhood Renewal programmes which she says are a major part of the fight for social justice.
Carál's main concern is the piecemeal approach the social development department has taken to Neighbourhood Renewal groups which play an essential part in delivering vital services in deprived areas of North Belfast and across the north.
As Sinn Féin DSD spokesperson, Carál hosted a meeting last Thursday in City Hall in conjunction with Tom Hartley, chair of the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and took the opportunity to update the city's community groups on her party's progress on the issue to date.
"Neighbourhood Renewal is a good and progressive concept which, if introduced effectively, will place communities' needs and the delivery of services and equality at the heart of local government," said the Sinn Féin elected representative.
"Sinn Féin set out our vision of how this should proceed and used this meeting to update local groups. We are clearly campaigning against deprivation and for social justice for communities and Neighbourhood Renewal is a major part of getting it right."
Carál said communities across North Belfast, and indeed the entire city, had experienced years of deprivation and needed firm commitments that their needs would be met.
The main lesson to be learned from last week's meeting, she said, was that community planning needed to be more accountable and better resourced as she called on the DSD to start leading by example.