Policy Development Panels
Policy Development Panels (PDPs) play a key role in the reform of local government. They are taking forward the work of two modernisation sub-groups. These sub-groups were formed by the Strategic Leadership Board (SLB) between 2007 and 2008.
Background details and further information on the two sub-groups can be found on the following links:
PDP Structure
Each Panel contains:
| Chairperson: |
a member of the SLB, and also a political representative |
| Nine political representatives: |
from the five main parties |
| Advisors: |
local government Chief Executives and senior central government representatives |
| Administrative Support: |
provided jointly by the Department of the Environment (DOE) and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) |
PDP Functions
In line with the Review of Public Administration (RPA) and the Executive’s decisions, the Panels lead the development of policy and implementation proposals in the following areas:
- PDP C - Structural reform issues
Human resources; enhancing staff and members’ ability to deal with new changes; finance and estates; service delivery and the functions transferring from central government.
PDPs take their lead from and support the SLB; this is through leading the development of policy and implementation of proposals by delivering the following to the SLB:
- presenting recommendations for policy proposal and developing guidance documents
- leading the agreed development of a detailed programme of work including timescales and resources
- liaising with stakeholders on the above issues
Background Information
The Panels all held their first meetings in July / August 2008. Prior to the establishment of the Panels and the SLB, a Taskforce and nine sub-groups carried out the initial work on identifying implementation tasks and legislative requirements in relation to the initial Review of Public Administration (RPA) decisions.
An update from the three Panels is provided at each SLB meeting. The minutes  are available for review:
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to prepare an assessment of the service delivery for local government. The link below provides more information.
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