Strategic Partners discuss progress at quarterly meeting

The quarterly meeting of the Derry City and Strabane District's Strategic Growth Partnership took place remotely today, with members receiving an online update on a number of strategies impacting on the City and District.

At the meeting partners, who represent local business, community and voluntary organisations and statutory agencies, as well as Derry City and Strabane District Council, had the opportunity to hear more about work to date on some of the key strategic areas highlighted within the Strategic Growth Plan.

Council's Chief Executive John Kelpie began the meeting with a short briefing on the current situation regarding the Covid-19 emergency and the Council response to the crisis. He updated partners on the level of business engagement and support that is being provided by the Council's Business team, issues around engagement and enforcement and other work with statutory partners to reinforce the public health message locally.

This was followed by a comprehensive update in relation to the City Deal/Strategic Growth Projects with a detailed report outlining progress and current key issues with regard to funding, projects strategic business case development, governance and process.

Speaking after the meeting, the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Brian Tierney, said that during these challenging times, it was more important than ever for Council to maintain a strong connection with its statutory and community partners as well as the local business community.

"It's great to see the dedication of all our stakeholders to the delivery of the Strategic Growth Plan, which is already beginning to advance the objectives outlined as priorities for the North West," he declared.

"These are very difficult times and I think now more than ever we can see the benefits of the strong partnerships that have been established through the Community Planning process as we respond to the current Covid-19 crisis.

"While this is inevitably taking its toll on many aspects of our lives, positive work is still ongoing and it was encouraging to hear updates today on some of the important strategic progress that is being made, particularly in terms of our City Deal and Strategic Growth projects.

"We continue to make headway on many aspects of these projects, for example the significant work carried out to meet our environmental commitments laid out in our Zero Waste Circular Economy Strategy and our Climate Action Plan. Council will continue to work together with all its partners to deliver on our shared commitments on behalf of the City and District."

Partners heard more about the environmental progress in Derry and Strabane with a report on the Zero Waste Circular Economy Strategy, as well as the climate change actions being implemented in keeping with the Council's Climate Adaptation plan and Green Infrastructure Plan.

They also received an update on the Community Engagement Strategy and endorsed adopting the recommended approach which will shape all future community engagement in relation to the Strategic Growth and Local Area Growth Plans.

A report was also brought to members on the Partnership's participation in the Carnegie UK Trust (CUKT) 'Embedding Wellbeing in Northern Ireland' project.

Find out more about the Strategic Growth Plan and receive regular updates on its progress at growderrystrabane.com