Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 2 August 2021

Updated Twitter Card 1.jpg

Forward Look

  • The Executive will today publish the Building Forward – Consolidated Covid Recovery Plan to accelerate economic, health and societal recovery through 83 “highly impactful interventions”, delivered over a two-year period.

  • The Covid-19 regulations will change from 6pm today to allow a reduction in social distancing requirements to a one metre minimum in retail settings and the expansion of live music to other indoor venues, such as hotel function rooms. Those entering NI from the US or EU (excluding France) who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate from Monday.

  • Registrations for the High Street Stimulus Scheme will open to the public in September after it was officially launched by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA. Delivered by Prepaid Financial Services (PFS), everyone aged 18 and over will receive a pre-paid card worth £100 to spend on their local high street.

  • Plans for the Casement Park stadium project in west Belfast will now proceed after the development, which is estimated to cost upwards of £110m, was granted planning approval by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA.

  • Regional vaccination centres will cease administering first doses from Saturday. The community pharmacy vaccination service has expanded to include the Moderna vaccine this week and will scale up this service in August. Community pharmacies are expected to lead the first dose vaccination programme throughout the autumn, according to the Department of Health.

  • Some 120 surgeries, including a number of cancer procedures, have been cancelled due to Covid-19 pressures in the Belfast Trust.

  • The Office for Budget Responsibility will present an economic and fiscal forecast commissioned by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 27 October. Dates of the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review will be announced in due course.

  • Voting for the High Street Heroes NI initiative led by Retail NI closes today, Friday 30 July. To vote: LINK.

  • The Kennedy Summer School festival of Irish and American history, culture and politics will take place in New Ross on 3-4 September. Find out more: LINK.

  • The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Launch and Symposium will broadcast live from Stormont on 2 September. Register: LINK.

  • Incoming chief executive officer of the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Tony McKeown, will take up his position in August, replacing Colm Shannon.

  • Secretary General to the Government and Taoiseach Martin Fraser will replace Adrian O’Neill as Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK next year, while Geraldine Byrne-Nason will become the US Ambassador. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney will present plans for Ireland’s biggest missions to Cabinet on Tuesday.

  • The Belfast News Letter is recruiting for the roles of Editor and Political Editor.

Other Stories this week

  • A cross-party House of Lords Committee report has urged both the UK and EU to compromise to ensure Northern Ireland does not become a “permanent casualty of the Brexit process”.

  • A Department of Health Consultation on a Duty of Candour for NI has been extended from 2 August to 31 August. View the consultation: LINK.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has launched a consultation on Phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit Project (BRT2) to expand the Glider to North and South Belfast. View the consultation: LINK.

  • SDLP Finance Spokesperson Matthew O’Toole MLA has submitted proposals for a public service recruitment and development programme titled the ‘Make Change Programme’.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has launched a consultation on proposals to mandate Changing Places Toilet Provision in buildings commonly used by the public. View the consultation: LINK.

  • Belfast Engineering Consultant ARUP has been appointed to take forward the All Island Strategic Rail Review to improve sustainable connectivity and enhance regional accessibility to the North West.

  • Former Irish senator Ian Marshall has joined the Ulster Unionist Party and is expected to run in next May’s Assembly election.

  • Alyson Kilpatrick has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission. She takes up the post on 1 September.

  • Neil Collins has been appointed Managing Director of Wrightbus.

  • The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is seeking a Northern Ireland Governor to the British Film Institute. Find out more: LINK.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 19 August, Green Recovery Forum, Institute of Directors

  • 1 September, Belfast City Council Meeting

  • 5 September, Northern Ireland Assembly returns from Summer Recess

  • 24 September, Annual Conference, Centre for Cross Border Studies

Consultations