Strategic Board

31 March 2005

The Consultation Team
Draft Investment Strategy for NI
Room E5.20
Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast

Dear Sir

RE - DRAFT INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above draft Strategy.

Council comments as follows:

Council welcomes continued strategic investment for the improvement of public infrastructure that is needed for a successful economic region recognising both its social and environmental needs. Public infrastructure that pays scant attention to its core environmental capacity is not sustainable and in the long term will not be value for money. We are disappointed that the document does not recognise the value of our critical environmental capital and that of investing in a functioning and natural infrastructure working within our ecosystem capacity. The EC and the UK Government are pursuing the Sustainable Development approach apparently with real intent. It is therefore of particular concern to our Council to note the total absence of mention of Sustainable Development in a Strategy which arguably should have strong regard to that particular European and UK policy direction. Council recommends a clear statement of need in the investments and benefits accruing and would encourage the use of soft options and supporting strategies to these investments.

We welcome the investment in the water and sewerage infrastructure and farm nutrient management scheme, but the value of alternative choices should also be recognised and a twintrack approach of demand management and development of resources to achieve sustainable management of water resources, allowing for more innovative technology. For example, grey water strategies in housing developments, greener technology in sewerage and farm waste, the use of SUDs on roads and housing developments.

The Water Framework Directive requires all waters to achieve 'good status' by 2015. To achieve this target investment should be made to ensure that river systems are working at catchment levels, with use made of wetland areas and flood plains. A strategic investment programme should be in place to ensure that the problem of diffuse pollution is tackled.

The Regional Development Strategy and the Regional Transport Strategy sought to increase modal use of more sustainable forms of transport. Clear targets were established with the success of them dependant on actions listed in strategies such as the NI Cycling Strategy and Walking Strategy and not just hard infrastructure investment. The strategic investment programme should ensure that these strategies are carried out in their entirety.

Council would also recommend that a significant investment is made in a database for all government departments. A comprehensive database across all departments should allow for more effective monitoring and consequent increased efficiency in resources. This should also be extended to Public Private Partnerships and Non-Departmentmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) and participation in the integrated development fund and other government funding programmes should encourage knowledge sharing. The successful development of tools through Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Integrated Impact Assessment will depend on the effectiveness of cross cutting databases.

Council recommends that the strategic investment programme recognises the cross cutting policies that have been adopted by government and provides a central fund to assist in their delivery, thus encouraging an integrated approach both at local and community level. Departments and other bodies could bid to delivery these policies by having access to such a central fund. That approach would better achieve targets as specified within PSAs such as the Health objective to improve health and well being which states outcomes of reduction in preventable disease and ill health. A clear target of encouraging people to take preventative measures should also encourage activity and action outside that of the HPSS. Access to high quality environments, reduction in exposure to environmental pollutants, access to opportunities to gain increased physical activity all play a significant role in achieving a healthier population. Health strategies should link with other policies e.g. Access and Recreation Policy delivered variously by Forest Service, Countryside Activities and Access Network as well as through National Cycle Network and Transport Policies. Targets set within an anti-poverty strategy can work collaboratively with the community and voluntary sectors encouraging valued contribution to society and gaining of key skills. Bids for funds should clearly state their targets. Other agreed cross cutting themes within government should also seek collaborative spending from these funds. Monies not spent within the year should be reallocated back to the contributing departments.

We hope you find these comments useful and would be grateful for an opportunity to discuss with you the concept of investing in a natural infrastructure within Northern Ireland that would allow for the sustainable development of the region.

Yours sincerely

Dr Lucinda Blakiston Houston
Chairman