To ask the Minister for Social Development for an update on the development of transition plans for the transfer of regeneration powers to local government in April 2016.

From 1 April 2016 Council will take on responsibility for Urban Regeneration and Community Development. In order to help ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities and functions from the Department to Council my officials have provided each Council with a transition plan setting out DSD’s role and responsibilities between now and 1 April 2016 and the proposed actions that Council should consider.

This Transition Plan has been prepared by the Department to assist the Council in its budget planning and decision making process for the delivery of urban regeneration and community development activities. It aims to:-

Ensure those projects currently supported by DSD, with funding ending on 31st March 2016, are given clear indications as early as possible whether they will receive further funding;

Provide a pipeline of projects (were requested by the Council) for the new councils to consider to deliver after the RLG transfer date; and

Ensure the new councils meet their statutory duty to have regard for the Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework.

The plan sets out the various activities and projects that it currently administers under a range of programmes. It also lists the potential projects which Council may consider funding during 2016-2019. These plans are a work in progress and will evolve as we move closer to April 2016 and decisions are made on the programme and projects that Council agree to progress post Reform of Local Government.