The British-Irish Council Housing and Collaborative Spatial Planning (CSP) work sectors are preparing to hold the first Joint BIC Ministerial meeting this week, hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive.  The meeting will be held via a virtual platform, due to the current Covid-19 public health requirements across all Member Administrations.

Throughout this year, the British-Irish Council has remained actively engaged with officials meeting virtually to progress the work of the Council and share learning and experience through online seminars and presentations.  This ministerial level meeting will be the first time the British-Irish Council has convened a Joint Ministerial meeting across two work sectors, and Ministers will consider the joint work completed by the Housing and CSP work sectors in considering policy approaches to an ageing population. Ministers will also discuss key policy areas related to housing and spatial planning, particularly in the context of the impact of Covid-19.

The meeting will be chaired by Nichola Mallon MLA, Minister for Infrastructure, and Deirdre Hargey MLA, Minister for Communities, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive.