Strategic Growth Partnership meets at St Columb's Park House
21 October 2022
Members of the Strategic Growth Partnership in Derry and Strabane met today at St Columb's Park House for their quarterly meeting to consider progress on the Strategic Growth Plan.
The Strategic Growth Partnership is a body made up of a wide range of partners including representatives from local statutory bodies, community organisations, political representatives, Central Government departments and other key regional support partners.
The agenda today included reports on the Levelling Up Fund and projects submitted for Round 2 funding across Derry and Strabane. The minimum level of investment allocated for Northern Ireland under the fund is £95m and successful projects are expected to be announced at the UK Government's Autumn Budget Statement at the start of November 2022. SGP members heard that Strabane Leisure Centre, Creggan Reservoir, the Play Programme and the expansion of the Greenways network are all proposed project bids being considered.
Housing was also on the agenda today and the Partnership received an update on the Housing Executive's Housing Investment Plan for 2022 and a range of housing issues was also discussed.
The Partnership welcomed Reverend David Latimer to the meeting, who spoke about the International Cities of Peace Initiative. Rev Latimer briefed members on plans to initiate the process for Derry City and Strabane District to join this network so that it may be recognised as an International City of Peace.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council , Councillor Sandra Duffy, commenting after the meeting said: "This is a very challenging time and I am very much encouraged this morning by the updates on some of the many positive projects that are ongoing within our Council area. There is much to be done, but as a partnership I am confident that we are taking the right approach to tackling issues in a robust and proactive manner, led by the strategic outcomes, indicators and actions which are clearly defined within the Strategic Growth Plan. We must continue to build on the good work to date and to keep up the momentum to deliver on our shared objectives for the City and District."
Health was also discussed at this morning's meeting, including work to tackle the issue of obesity, including the proposed implementation of a Whole System Approach (WSA) to the problem led by the Public Health Agency. Members also received an update on the ongoing work of the World Health Organisation Healthy Cities Network.
You can find out more information on all Strategic Growth Plan meetings at growderrystrabane.com