Consultation update
Details of significant consultation exercises currently being carried out by government departments and other public sector bodies in Northern Ireland. Queries on individual consultations should be referred to the organisation concerned, as outlined.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
There are no current consultations
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
There are no current consultations
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
Racial equality strategy 2014-2024
Opened 19 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 10 October to: Racial Equality Unit, Equality Directorate, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Room E4.15, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 8560
Email: race.equality@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
Racial equality indicators
Opened 19 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 10 October to: Statistics and Research Branch, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Room E4.03, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SL
Tel: 028 9052 8472
Email: research@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
Department of Finance and Personnel
Transitional rate relief scheme
Opened 20 June
The scheme will manage rates convergence as a result of local government reorganisation and is intended to help ratepayers who would otherwise face sudden increases in district rates.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 19 August to: Rating Policy Division, Department of Finance and Personnel, Longbridge House, 20-24 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2EB
Tel: 028 9040 8008
Email: ratingpolicy.cfg@dfpni.gov.uk
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
There are no current consultations
Department of Education
Implementation of reformed teachers’ pension scheme
Opened 19 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 11 September to: Pensions Policy Team, G2 Lower, Department of Education, Rathgael House, 43 Balloo Road, Rathgill, Bangor, BT19 7PR
Tel: 028 9127 9279
Email: PensionsPolicy@deni.gov.uk
Department for Employment and Learning
Regulation of zero hours contracts
Opened 23 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 23 September to: Deirdre Walsh, Employment Relations Policy and Legislation Branch, Department for Employment and Learning, 1st Floor, Waterfront Plaza, 8 Laganbank Road, Belfast, BT1 3LY
Tel: 028 9025 7533
Email: employment.rights@delni.gov.uk
Department of Justice
Victim charter
Opened 23 May
Comments and responses should be submitted by 15 September to: Victims and Witnesses Branch, Department of Justice, Massey House, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SX
Tel: 028 9016 9592
Web: www.surveymonkey.com/s/DOJVictimCharter
Email: access.public@dojni.x.gsi.gov.uk
Department of the Environment
Transfer of planning powers to new councils
Opened 3 June
The department has published regulatory assessments for six pieces of legislation which will enable the transfer of power to the 11 new councils from next April. The drafts are available at www.doeni.gov.uk and cover development management, general development procedure, listed buildings, local development planning, and statements of community involvement.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 20 August to: Planning Policy Division, Department of the Environment, Causeway Exchange
1-7 Bedford Street, Town Parks, Belfast, BT2 7EG
Tel: 028 9054 0540
Email: planning.policy@doeni.gov.uk
Planning Policy Statement 22: Affordable Housing
Opened 5 June
The draft sets a requirement that for all development applications containing five housing units or more on sites (outside land zones for social housing), the planning authority will seek the provision of affordable housing and/or commuted sums i.e. capital payments made by a developer which will cover the future maintenance of an asset.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 26 August to: Planning Policy Division, Department of the Environment, Causeway Exchange
1-7 Bedford Street, Town Parks, Belfast, BT2 7EG
Tel: 028 9082 3518
Email: planning.policy@doeni.gov.uk
Department for Regional Development
Water Bill
Opened 5 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 29 August to: Eddie Dobbin, Water Policy and Shareholder Division, Department for Regional Development, Room 122, Clarence Court, Belfast, BT2 8GB
Tel: 028 9054 2985
Email: waterpolicy@drdni.gov.uk
Long-term water strategy 2014-2039
Opened 20 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 10 October to: Eddie Dobbin, Water Policy and Shareholder Division, Department for Regional Development, Room 122, Clarence Court, Belfast, BT2 8GB
Tel: 028 9054 2985
Email: waterpolicy@drdni.gov.uk
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Mental capacity legislation
Opened 27 May
Comments and responses should be submitted by 2 September to: Mental Capacity Bill Consultation, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Room D2.10, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 0125
Email: mentalcapacity@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Home accident prevention strategy 2014-2014
Opened 17 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 9 September to: Health Protection Branch, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Level C4, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 0500
Email: phdconsultation@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Department for Social Development
Developer contributions for affordable housing
Opened 3 June
Comments and responses should be submitted by 26 August 2014 to: Developer Contributions Consultation, Housing Affordability Team, Department for Social Development, Level 1, Lighthouse Building, Gasworks Business Park, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2JA
Tel: 028 9082 9273
Email: developer.contributions@dsdni.gov.uk
Scottish Government
Scottish Independence Bill
Opened 16 June
The Scottish Independence Bill provides a process for Scotland to become an independent state in March 2016 and sets out a draft interim constitution. The consultation is taking place now in order to prepare for a potential ‘yes’ vote in the referendum on 18 September.
Comments and responses should be submitted by 20 October to: Scottish Independence Bill Team, Scottish Government, St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG
Tel: 0131 556 8400
Email: scottishindependencebill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
