Madam, - Should local people feel that the new arrangements for local government in Northern Ireland are failing them, they should not despair for they could resort to a measure of which they already have ownership.
Throughout Northern Ireland there has been a significant development of community associations, set up in response to local social and domestic need by the people themselves. For a long time this politicising of local people was largely confined to nationalist/republican dominated communities; thankfully, we are now witnessing unionist/loyalist dominated communities as well as those which have remained "mixed" catching up quickly to the point where they are beginning to give much needed leadership to their people on the social issues which confront them.
Such associations are now forming networks whereby different communities experiencing similar problems of social disadvantage are coming together to share ideas and experience and to learn from each other.
For instance, in North Antrim, community associations will be aware of the Rural Community Network, the North Antrim Community Network, the Strategic Group of the NNHAZ (Northern Neighbourhoods Health Action Zone) which networks the many community associations under its aegis with the backing of the Northern Health and Social Services Board.
Recently, NNHAZ organised a deputation of 36 representatives of Co Antrim community associations to share viewpoints and ideas regarding social disadvantage with similar associations in Glasgow, where we spent three days on a steep learning curve.
There are many other community associations with similar potential for networking.
Were each county to join a county network of community associations, the people could develop a very powerful democratic voice in determining the type of society in which they wish to live and in ensuring that this is achieved through the exercise of democratic accountability.
These observations should be grist to the mill of any lingering remnants of the Community Government Movement which operated in the Irish Republic under the guidance of Franklin O'Sullivan in the 1970s and it would be interesting to reconnect with them. - Yours, etc,
JOHN ROBB, Consensor, New Ireland Group, Portrush, Co Antrim.