George Dorrian Policy Ltd

By chance, today’s memories brought up the shirts mentioned ⬇️ and the kids in Ghana looking the part!

A few moments in time, highlighting my experience - speaking at a conference on the topic of entrepreneurship policy, while I was also proud to partner with Walkway Community Association to sponsor thirty football shirts which were sent to out to children in need in Ghana.

Community Consultation & Engagement ✅

I specialise in community consultation consultancy.

I provide independent public consultation services that improve engagement, supporting organisations to design and deliver effective and credible consultation.

The services are bespoke to meet your specific needs and achieve the outcomes required. I have experience of providing consultation support in many different sectors including planning, regeneration, public policy, community cohesion, waste and recycling and neighbourhood tourism initiatives.

The range of services include facilitation of meetings, events, workshops and focus groups, communications and social media support, stakeholder mapping and engagement and operating online questionnaires.

If you have a project or issue which you requires support, get in touch at [email protected]

** Bright Umbrella Stakeholder Engagement **

I’m pleased to say a completed stakeholder engagement report has been presented to the Bright Umbrella/Sanctuary Theatre.

Many thanks to all the stakeholders who participated and took the time to respond to questions, and shared their views and experiences, as well as those Board Members and volunteers who took part.

It has been a very enjoyable project to work on and hopefully the finished report will make for good reading and be a useful, practical tool for the venue as it continues to build towards a prosperous future.

** BCN Cultural Expression Conference **

Attended a very positive conference today, organised by BCN - Building Cultural Networks. The day long event explored how cultural celebrations in NI can be better managed and encourage broader community engagement. It’s easy for some to attack work like this but the range of participants and guests today demonstrates the enthusiasm for developing a proper framework which benefits communities and ensures that long held traditions are maintained.

Well done to the organisers and I hope this is the start of a series of such events & engagements on this topic.

** Devolving Regeneration Powers **

There has been lots of talk lately of a new Dilapidation Bill coming forward to the Northern Ireland assembly, and I understand that one is current being prepared by Minister Andrew Muir. This on top of work being taken forward for an updated register for Belfast.

However there has been little talk of whether this new NI Executive will consider the devolution of regeneration powers, as was planned then halted a few years ago, literally at the last minute.

I’m keen to understanding people’s views on whether this should happen.

There are differing opinions on whether it was wise to devolve planning powers but would new regeneration powers give councils the power at last to really tackle dereliction and dilapidation in communities and commercial centres? Watching close up how long it has taken to try and regenerate Belfast convinces me devolving regeneration powers are at least part of the argument.

Thoughts?

Belfast Council to look at dilapidation survey across city Council will also press Stormont minister to forward the delayed Stormont Dilapidation Bill

Retail NI ‘Crime Against Retailers’ Policy Paper

I was pleased to be asked before Christmas, by Retail NI to research and produce their ‘Working Together - Retail NI’s Plan to Tackle Retail Crime’ policy document.

Over three hundred retailers took part in desktop and survey research, including face-to-face interviews, a SurveyMonkey questionnaire and targeted emails. To hear some of the situations they face on a daily basis was both insightful and concerning, and to that end I hope this paper will galvanise those in government to explore what more they can do to address this situation. A big thank you to all who took the time to answer my questions and worked with me to develop practical solutions.

I am pleased with the final document and proud that both the Justice Minister and the PSNI ACC attended the launch in Parliament Buildings this morning.

I look forward to further working with independent retailers, and if I can help you with developing your own policy asks, please private message or email me at [email protected].

The final document can be viewed here - https://issuu.com/retiailni/docs/working_together_crime_report_final

** Bright Umbrella Theatre Company **

I’m pleased to be working with the Bright Umbrella Theatre Company, who are based in the Sanctuary Theatre, Castlereagh Steet, Belfast (www.brightumbrella.co.uk).

Over the next few weeks I will be undertaking stakeholder engagement research on their behalf. If you’ve been or have any views on the wider area where theatre is based, please get in touch. I’d be grateful if you could leave me a message on this page or via the email [email protected].

All contributions are made in the strictest confidence.

If you haven’t been so far, check out their website. I’d highly recommend it! G

Today’s office!

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

With twenty-plus years’ experience in policy and engagement in Northern Ireland, I have decided the time is right to try something different and so have set up George Dorrian Policy Ltd. We’ll assist individuals, groups and organisations with their stakeholder engagement and policy work, and have already successfully completed a number of projects. Feedback has been positive so far and I’m grateful for the support in these early stages.

I will be offering the following services:

* Community consultation
* Stakeholder engagement
* Public affairs
* Research
* Regeneration support

As many of you will know, I’m a coffee lover so if you think I can help in any way, get in touch and it would great to catch up.

Chat soon,
George