DERRY City and Strabane District Council will have to wait at least a year to receive a multimillion pound funding package to boost the economy in the North West.
The Derry and Strabane city deal was announced in May.
It would see the region receive £105m in government funding.
But the BBC has learned it will take at least 12 months before funding is released.
It comes after British Secretary of State Julian Smith warned the money was dependent on the devolved executive at Stormont returning.
The Derry and Strabane deal is one of a number of economic packages designed to boost regions in the North of Ireland.
In response to a BBC Radio Foyle Freedom of Information request, Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) said it is working with stakeholders and relevant government departments to agree heads of terms – an outline business case.
The council said it hopes to agree this “in the next few months.”
DCSDC added: “Following this, full outline business cases will have to be developed for each project and subject to a full economic appraisal process.
“This process is anticipated to take at least 12 months once the heads of terms have been formally signed.”
The council reiterated that the funding is dependent on the return of a Stormont executive.
DCSDC has been advised by the government that the city deal requires “a fully-functioning devolved government in place”.
Magee Campus
Council has confirmed £30m has been proposed from the inclusive future fund to Ulster University’s graduate entry medical school.
A further £40m has been allocated from the city deal funding to Ulster University for centres of innovation and excellence in data analytics and robotics and automation.
The expansion of the university – which has a campus at Magee in Derry – in the north west has long been regarded as a catalyst for economic growth in the region.
An Ulster University spokesperson said it is contributing “10% university funding to the Magee projects within city deal.”
That level of funding, the spokesperson added “reflects our belief in the impact they will make, and our commitment to playing our part in the collective ambitions of city deal.”
The spokesperson said education, innovation, job creation and skills development are at the core of Derry and Strabane’s city deal and as such, the university is “a natural fit and a committed partner in this ambitious bid.”
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