AQW 10256/22-27


Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 17/04/2024
Answered On Date: 02/05/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 9021/22-27, for an update on the implementation of the test and learn programme that is being jointly led by the Executive Office and the Department for Communities.


Answer:
In September 2023 the NICS Board approved a cross-departmental Collaboration Strategic Framework (CSF) to test and learn how Departments could deliver better outcomes by improving how we work together, and how we work with community partners and local government.  This included identifying opportunities to reduce the burden on community organisations in terms of multiple departmental funding processes, and consideration of the Departmental staffing costs of running multiple programmes separately.  The CSF test and learn was absorbed within existing NICS teams, and we were clear with stakeholders that no new investment would be made available as part of the pilot.
A cross-Departmental Steering Group (SG) was set up to progress the work.  The SG is chaired by TEO and administered by DfC.  A draft ‘Collaboration Framework’ (a copy of which has been placed in the Assembly Library) was developed to act as a flexible tool for collaboration.  In parallel, the SG worked with Departmental statisticians to identify and map the localities where multiple Government Departments were operating (including both urban and rural areas).  It was agreed that community background, Departmental presence and levels of spend would be key data points to inform decisions on potential locations for pilots.  Using the data, six potential pilot areas were identified (i) Duncairn and Falls Super Output Areas (SOAs) of Belfast; (ii) Gortin SOA; (iii) Aughnacloy SOA; (iv) The Strand and (v) Diamond SOAs of Derry/Londonderry; and (vi) Monkstown and Rathcoole SOAs of Whitehouse.  The SG decided to focus on the Diamond and Aughnacloy SOAs to facilitate comparisons between rural and urban areas and due to the availability of experienced local staff working in the areas. 
In January and February 2024 workshops were held in both pilot areas to gather views from stakeholders on collaboration.  These views are being analysed and will be shared with Ministers before the Summer.