City deal proposal launched at London gala event

by Gráinne Connolly

A delegation from Derry City and Strabane District Council travelled to London yesterday to launch the "Derry/Londonderry Vision and Outline Bid Proposal Document". 

They met with senior officials at a prestigious event in London's Guildhall, including those from the NI Office and the Ministry for Housing and Communities and Local Government. 

The need to enter formal negotiations around the bid was discussed, following the invitation from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond in July. 

The meeting took place ahead of a special reception hosted by the City of London Corporation and the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor John Boyle, in the Guildhall Crypt that evening. 

Chief Executive John Kelpie and officers briefed officials on the draft list of  projects which will shape the framework of the City Deal bid, and progress on the business cases for the projects.

The Vision and Outline Bid Proposal provided more detail on the investment priorities for the City Region, focusing on three key areas, namely investing in Innovation and Digital, Enabling Infrastructure and Regeneration and growing the Private Sector.

The delegation took the opportunity to outline the strategic projects which would promote growth in these particular areas, including the expansion of Ulster University’s Magee Campus, the upgrade of crucial transport links to the region, and a range of objectives already laid out in the Strategic Growth Plan for Derry and Strabane. 

Later, over 200 leading figures from business, education and the political arena from both Derry/Londonderry and London; gathered at the London Guildhall’s historic Crypt to mark the recent invitation by the UK Government to bid for a City Deal, and to celebrate key investments in the Derry and Strabane area.

The Putting People at the Heart of Innovation event provided the opportunity to further strengthen ties between London and the NW City Region, and focus attention on its growing reputation for innovation and excellence.

Foyle MP Elisha McCallion was among some of the guest speakers at the event and says securing a City Deal would help realise the huge potential that exists in the north west. 

"I am hugely excited by the potential of the City Deal. As part of our overall Innovative Growth Plan, it will play a key role in taking our economic development to the next level 

"Our focus is on Innovation aimed at building the physical and human capital to support the development of the north west city region as a world leader in personalised medicine, cognitive analytics, artificial intelligence and robotics.

"The City Deal will invest in the development of our talent with ambitious plans from our partners in Ulster University, the North West Regional College and Derry City and Strabane District Council.

"The expansion of our university, the establishment of the graduate entry medical school and the ongoing redevelopment of key infrastructure links, including the A5 and A6 roads to Dublin and Belfast are all major parts of that ambition.

"The City Deal is a huge piece of the jigsaw but it is not the only piece. We must be bold. We must be ambitious. We must be innovative.

"The potential of our region is massive. The ambition and energy of our people is limitless. Securing a City Deal for Derry will help realise that potential and deliver a better future for everyone in Derry and the wider north west."

Darragh McCarthy, CEO of financial services company FinTrU, who recently announced a major jobs boost for Derry/Londonderry with 305 posts based at a new office in the city, was a keynote speaker.

He provided some insights into his own business success, and stressed the need to drive entrepreneurship and invest significantly in emerging talent.

The Mayor took the opportunity at the event to highlight the North West’s growing reputation as a centre for innovation and enterprise, making it an increasingly attractive location to do business.

He said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join with the City of London Corporation in hosting this event,” he told those gathered.

“Our strengthening ties with the City are evident here tonight, and we want to get across that message that the NW City Region is open for business with an exceptional offering of skills and talent that is second to none.

"I look forward to seeing our relationship progress and to the advancement of our City Deal bid, which will be pivotal to delivering our long-term goals.”