AQW 48570/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 12/06/2026
Answered On Date: 24/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on his Department's work following recommendations relevant to his Department from the High Street Task Force’s Report entitled Delivering a 21st Century High Street.

Answer:

Of the 14 recommendations in the High Street Task Force Report, three were identified where DfC would be seen as a significant lead department. These are Recommendations 2, 5 and 12. I have previously provided updates in relation to these (AQW 17412/22-27 and AQW 27225/22-27).

The updated position is:

Recommendation 2 - The second pilot, The Greater Shankill Plan to Grow, was launched in February 2026 and demonstrated its use on a main arterial route into Belfast.

Recommendation 5 - An Outline Business Case for a Shaping Sustainable Places (SSP) Programme is in development by DfC in partnership with DAERA and DfI. The vision is to implement a long-term approach to tackle the challenges facing our village, town and city centres through co-ordinated place-focused interventions. The SSP public consultation report was published on 30 April 2026. Due to the cross-cutting nature of the programme, it will require approval from the Executive.

Recommendation 12 - Any further transfer of regeneration powers would require a fundamental review of the position across several Departments, consideration by the NI Executive, and the introduction of primary legislation. There are no plans to take this forward at this time.