THE key partners responsible for the delivery of the DerrY Strabane City Deal, marking the single largest ever Government investment in the region, have welcomed the signing of the Heads of Terms Agreement today, and reinforced their commitment to working collectively to bring about growth, investment and prosperity.
The key delivery partners of the City Deal led by Derry City and Strabane District Council are the Ulster University, the Western Health and Social Services Trust, the North West Regional College and C-TRIC.
They were among the guests who attended a virtual event at Derry’s Guildhall today that was hosted by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Brian Tierney, and attended by the First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA and Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, Secretary of State Brandon Lewis CBE, and the NI Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA, who officially signed the Heads of Terms Agreement for the Derry and Strabane City Deal.
Messages of support were also pledged by the Minister for Infrastructure, Nicola Mallon the Econony Minister Diane Dodds and the Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey.
Welcoming the Signing of the Heads of Terms, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney, said it marked a significant step in the City Deal journey with a commitment from the UK and NI Governments to work collaboratively with partners in the business and academic sectors to deliver a City Deal that will bring about a transformative boost to the region’s economy.
He said: “It is difficult not to overestimate the importance of the signing of the Heads of Terms today.
“It means that the projects set out in the City Deal are now able to move to the next stage towards delivery and long-term sustainable growth through what is a very aspiring, create and forward thinking range of innovative projects.
“Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, through our combined efforts we have been able to continue to make great strides throughout the pandemic on the development of the detail of the outline business cases for the projects.
Derry and Strabane Mayor Cllr Brian Tierney at today’s signing of Heads of Agreement for £250m deal for the council
“We are delighted to have signed the Heads of Terms to allow us to move on to the delivery phase that will see this Government investment and an additional partner-led investment being rolled out into our region from later this year.
He acknowledged the collaborative approach to securing the City Deal and the joined efforts of the key delivery partners, key stakeholders and, civic and political leaders in getting it over the line.
“A huge amount of work has been done to ensure our City Deal projects align closely with the short term to medium term economic needs of the region.
“We have already made considerable progress towards our goal of achieving inclusive growth and we believe that the City Deal will allow us to deliver a step change in the implementation of these ambitious plans.”
Among the strategic projects included in the £250m investment package is the delivery of Centres of Innovation and Research at Ulster University in artificial intelligence and data analytics (CARL) and robotics and automation (CIDRA), together with the key smart/ digital City and Region initiatives, as well as the delivery of The School of Medicine at the Magee campus and the creation of a Health Research Institute (HRI) in the city and the expansion of CTRIC at the Altnagelvin Area Hospital site through a pioneering health-innovation project entitled THRIVE.
Key generation projects included in the City Deal include the provision of mixed use civic, health, leisure and educational facilities as part of a major regeneration of Strabane Town Centre, the creation of an interactive maritime attraction and an enhanced walled city tourism experience, as well as major regeneration investment along the riverfront and Queens Quay in Derry, to be closely linked to the expansion of the University. The provision of an integrated, Council-wide, multi-skills employment pathways intervention support programme will be interlinked across all these projects.
Northern Ireland Secretary, Brandon Lewis MP said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign the Heads of Terms for the Derry and Strabane City Deal.
“The UK Government has committed £105 million of capital funding to support and encourage economic development across the region, creating jobs, boosting opportunity and encouraging further inward investment.
“Today’s announcement is part of the UK Government’s commitment to developing and delivering a comprehensive and ambitious set of City Deals across Northern Ireland and delivering a stronger economy that works for everyone.”
“It is hoped the investment package will see the delivery of ten major projects, with a focus on Innovation, Digital and Health projects alongside Renewal and Regeneration initiatives.
“The proposed projects have the potential to deliver an additional 7,000 jobs, increase GVA by £210m per annum, drive growth in output and wages and provide a population boost as further people are attracted to come to the City region to work and study.
Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said:
“This is a transformative Deal for the Derry/Londonderry City and Strabane region and provides an opportunity to deliver real change for people in Northern Ireland. This Deal will bolster innovation, productivity and prosperity across the region, and provide business and communities with the opportunities they need to thrive”
John Kelpie, Chief Executive with Derry City and Strabane District Council said this was an important milestone in the city and region’s journey to growth and prosperity.
He said: “Derry City and Strabane already has the building blocks in place to draw people, business and investment to the region, and a £250m investment of this scale will empower us to achieve our goals in regenerating key areas and creating a city and town centre that is SMART, safe, accessible and vibrant, that can sustain people and jobs and bring a real sense of pride of place.
“It has the potential to bring an additional 7,000 jobs by 2032 and lever additional millions in investment over the next decade. We aim to increase our output growth with a GVA (gross value added) of £230m per annum and see an additional £126m in wages.
“Since the establishment of the new Council, we have focused on the objectives set out in the Strategic Inclusive Growth Plan by delivering £100m on community projects to date.
“We strongly believe that the City Deal projects will help and strengthen the region’s business offer in growth sectors such as health and life sciences, digital industries and SMART technology and will support our digital capabilities to support economic investment and regeneration as well as boost tourism and culture.
“A funding package of this scale and magnitude will be felt across the wider North West region and beyond.”
He added that while there are challenges, he was confident all partners will continue to work collectively to build on the region’s positive assets to reinvent ourselves and be primed for a new and buoyant future.
“We strongly believe that the City Deal will bring life and people back into our city and town centres and that with this investment we can bring life, culture and opportunity to people’s doorsteps and create an environment that is safer and more attractive to our communities right across the board.
“Key to assist us in achieving that will be works to improve our public transport and the regeneration of key areas across our Council area and a range of public and private third sector party investments to allow us to bring this to fruition.
“This is only the start of the process; the real work starts now. It is up to all of us to deliver each and every one of these exciting projects and it is vital that all partners work in collaboration with Government to realise the City Deal’s amazing potential.”
Addressing a virtual event organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council to mark the signing of the Head of Terms Minister Mallon said: “It is great to finally see this progress on the long awaited City Deal for Derry City and Strabane.
“This is a significant milestone for the people of Derry and the North West. It is a positive day and an important juncture for the Council and its City Deal partners.
“People across the City and the wider North West have felt let down and left behind for too long. I know the community has been behind the fight for the City Deal, and this moment belongs to them.
“After decades of underinvestment, the North West now needs our support and our ambition to help it thrive. That means we need to use all levers to tackle regional imbalance, promote economic development and inclusive growth.
“The Deal and Inclusive Future Fund will promote regeneration, tourism, jobs and skills development and allow Derry and the North West to grow and help unlock the region’s true potential.
“With the challenges of Covid and Brexit, the context of this City Deal has undoubtedly changed and this investment is needed more than ever.
“I am pleased that my Department will be working on the delivery of the Derry Riverfront development and the development of the Strabane Town Centre Regeneration proposals.
“I want to assure people in the North West that I am committed to delivery and I will work tirelessly within my Department to progress the projects that citizens across Derry and Strabane deserve.
“These regeneration and renewal projects will transform the built environment for both citizens and visitors, and in turn will support tourism, promoting the North West as an exciting destination to visit, to work, live and thrive in.
“As part of our work to support a green recovery from COVID, the commitment to Green Transformation is another important commitment in the Deal and I know that people right across the North West want to see this transformation – not just rebuilding after covid – but rebuilding better – so that we can tackle together the climate crisis and create a greener, cleaner, more sustainable future.
Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon
“For the North West we have to be ambitious and we have to recognise that the City Deal is one part of the puzzle but there is much work to do.
“That is why in addition to the role my Department will have in delivering the City Deal, I have committed to a number of key infrastructure projects on rail connecting the North West to our wider island, the A6, the A5, investing in greener spaces including for active travel and the multi-model transport hub.
“This is a great day for Derry City, Strabane and the wider North West Region – let us all now work together to make sure today becomes the catalyst to building and crucially delivering, that new tomorrow for local people.”
Welcoming this important milestone, Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice Chancellor of Ulster University said:
“The Derry and Strabane City Deal represents a bold, transformational plan for Derry~Londonderry. As a strategic partner, Ulster University will work with the City and other stakeholders to deliver innovation projects that will play a significant part in the region’s bright future.
“Today represents a significant moment in the progress of these Deals. Ulster University’s projects will further enhance Derry’s reputation as a centre for excellence for Research and Innovation and a hub for Health Sciences.
“We are committed to providing a pipeline of ambitious and innovative graduates who can maximise opportunities in the North West.
“The University already has a reputation for excellent research, and as such, we are well placed to deliver courses at the Magee campus in priority growth areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Smart Manufacturing Systems and Personalised Medicine which support these wider City Deal ambitions.
“The City Deal and its suite of catalyst projects will make Derry~Londonderry and the surrounding region an even more attractive location in which to study, work, live and invest.
“We will work alongside Derry City and Strabane District Council and all other strategic partners to deliver this for the City and wider region. This signing of the Heads of Terms Agreement demonstrates the vision and collaborative spirit of all partners who are to be congratulated for reaching this stage.”
Dr Anne Kilgallen, Chief Executive, Western Health and Social Care Trust said: “As Chief Executive of the Western Health & Social Care Trust, I am delighted to acknowledge the work led by Derry City and Strabane District Council in their efforts to secure the unprecedented funding now agreed through the City Deal and Integrated Future Fund Initiatives.
“The wider strategic importance of this proposed investment relative to the Trust’s own significant investment plans include the on-site facilities for the new medical school at Altnagelvin, our proposed investment in Strabane Health & Care Hub and for the THRIVE initiative.
“These provide very significant opportunities for not only the wider economic and social wellbeing of the city and district, but also in relation to the enhancement of our services and the recruitment of medical and other health professionals to the Western Trust.
“In parallel with these important initiatives, the Trust has significant Trust investment proposals for a Health & Care Hub within the city side of Derry.
“This parallel investment which we remain hopeful of receiving OB1 business case approval in the coming weeks will allow site procurement and commence detailed design development and will further compliment the £210m already secured for investment within this region.”
Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of NWRC said today’s announcement is the next step forward in delivering economic and social prosperity for the North West Region.
He said: “The City Deal is a game changer as we work towards the goal of unlocking the North West’s full potential by building its economic structure, and today we take another step with these innovation and regeneration projects moving to Heads of Terms.
“I believe this will be a catalyst for change as it is the largest ever investment in this City Region.
“Proposals for the development of a replacement site for our Strabane Campus in the town centre are part of a strategic outline business case included within the City Deal.
“We believe such a facility has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future socio-economic regeneration of the Strabane region.
“NWRC has been an active party in the City Deal since its inception and we will continue to work with all partners to support the creation of more and better jobs for all our people through innovation and skills.
“The recent announcement of the expansion of University places at Magee with the opening of the Medical School and the relocation of Health Science courses is a huge step forward and we must continue to work together to provide greater higher level learning and career opportunities in the region.”
Dr Aaron Peace, CEO of C-TRIC and Director of Research and Development for the Western Trust said: “This is a great day for Derry.
“COVID-19 has reminded everyone of the importance of clinical research. The health innovation project, THRIVE, which is a unique equal partnership between the Western Health & Social Care Trust (WHSCT), Ulster University (UU) and Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC), will be of major benefit to the people of Derry/Londonderry and Strabane and is funded from the Inclusive Future Fund.
“THRIVE as an expansion our local research facility C-TRIC, is building on an established track record in personalised medicine which is a global priority.
“Our personalised medicine researchers, currently working at the cutting-edge of clinical research, will grow in the new expanded C-TRIC/THRIVE building, based at Altnagelvin and into the new Health Research Institute/THRIVE building which will be located beside the School of Medicine at Magee.
“The THRIVE initiative will seek to increase the number of talented graduates, serving the burgeoning Life and Health Science District in Northern Ireland.
“Our ability to better understand, treat and predict outcomes for patients with long-term medical conditions will be supported by a pioneering community owned Healthcare Research Company.
“THRIVE in partnership with our community will study the secrets of long-term medical conditions through their DNA.
“This rich repository of healthcare information will help attract more investment to the DCSDC area and across Northern Ireland. We are proud to be part of the Derry & Strabane City Deal and we look forward to bringing this brave vision to life in the years ahead.”
For more info on the Derry~Londonderry Strabane City Deal, visit: www.derrystrabane.com/citydeal
Tags: