Putting it into practice and keeping it going
Delivering in partnership with implementers
10.1 As already highlighted in Chapters 4, 5 and 8, it is crucial that implementation
and delivery issues are fully considered from the outset of the policy-making process and continually reviewed. In particular, it is vital to engage meaningfully
with those who will be responsible for implementation and delivery. This Chapter sets out in more detail some of the ways in which this can be
achieved, especially moving towards implementing a new or revised policy.
10.2 As well as formal and informal consultation throughout policy development,
there needs to be early dialogue at a senior level between the department and delivery bodies such as Boards, NDPBs or District Councils in planning for
implementation. It is likely that these bodies will need to agree their arrangements for implementing a new or revised policy at Board or Council level. This is
important in terms of ensuring that delivery bodies give due priority to a policy and to securing the interest and ownership of Councillors or Board members.
It is helpful to use opportunities such as Ministerial speeches, meetings with and visits to delivery bodies to assist with this.
10.3 Dialogue between departments and delivery bodies should proceed on the basis
of no surprises. There should be early discussion about the resource implications of delivering a new policy, and it is important to be realistic about
these on both sides.
10.4 It is not sufficient to rely on communication in writing alone between
departments and delivery bodies on the arrangements for delivering policy. While formal letters and clear guidance documents are important for setting
clear policy objectives, groundrules, etc, a department should also be prepared to follow these up with early and regular meetings in order to clarify any points
on which there is doubt before any problems arise. Where a policy is being applied by locally-based delivery bodies across Northern Ireland, it may be
helpful to establish an implementation group or arrange seminars so that practical solutions to problems can be explored as they arise, and to promote
consistency in the implementation of policy.
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10.5 Piloting policies before adopting them more widely can be very helpful: in
