Draft Public Assemblies Bill…

The draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill stirred up some controversy.

It went out to consultation on April 20 2010. OFMDFM say 410 responses came back. The department produced a consultation summary and analysis of the responses in September 2010. The conclusion of that analysis was this:

After consideration of the views expressed during the public consultation process the First Minister and deputy First Minister will make a number of changes to the draft Bill before it is introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly in September 2010.

After consideration of the views expressed during the public consultation process the First Minister and deputy First Minister will make a number of changes to the draft Bill before it is introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly in September 2010.

Seems straight forward. An analysis of consultation responses took place their intention to proceed was published.

Last week Tom Elliott asked this:

the First Minister and deputy First Minister if they will make public the amended version of the draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill that has been developed following the consultation process.

(AQW 2222/11)

First Minister and deputy First Minister (Mr P Robinson and Mr M McGuinness): We announced our intention to amend the draft Bill following consultation. Following analysis of the consultation responses we have not decided to proceed at this time.

(Wouldn’t reference to this have been the more honest answer?)

But let’s take FM & DFM at face value – they say another piece of analysis took place after declaring their intention to proceed.

Can we see it?

The first analysis was published. It would be reasonable to assume that the second piece of analysis can be published. When?

Filed under: Community, consultations, OFMDFM, Public Assemblies Bill

Responding to DUP’s consultation document…

The DUP are running a consultation on their performance in government since 2007 (PDF is uploaded to box.net widget too). I’m thinking of sending in a submission.

The consultation has been on the frontpage for a while (yes, the odd question is a bit dated) but I’m assuming it’s still live. Even if it’s not, any submission supplied can be treated as ongoing stakeholder feedback.

I’d be keen for help from everyone here. I realise people are busy enough; so short pointers / bullet points / random thoughts are appreciated. The questions are below – please send me an email (everything will be treated in strictest confidence) or leave something in the comments section.

I’ll pick up on it and put a short doc together based around the consensus view. A draft will be published for feedback before it gets sent in to DUP headquarters.

I think it’s good and positive that a political party wants people to feed into their policy development. That sort of initiative merits a considered response.

Passing in a contribution would also represent tangible output from this blog and of a type I’d like to do more of. So if anyone spots consultations / policy docs which they feel we should contribute to then do let us know…

Filed under: communications, consultations, devolution, DUP, consultation documents