by Gareth Cross
The local council is to seek a meeting with Secretary of State James Brokenshire to discuss a City Deal for Derry after being snubbed in the Autumn budget.
The information came to light at a full meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council in the Guildhall last week.
Sinn Fein councillor Paul Fleming suggested councillors suspend standing orders to discuss the matter of a City Deal for Derry.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond announced on Wednesday that the British government would enter negotiations with Belfast about a City Deal but made no mention of Derry in his speech.
City Deals give local areas specific powers and freedoms to help the region support economic growth, create jobs or invest in local projects. They typically come with a large multi-million financial investment from central government.
Cllr Fleming said that despite Derry not being mentioned his party remained committed to ensuring the success of council's Strategic Growth Plan.
He told the meeting that there was a need for the establishment of an Executive founded on respect and equality that worked for people across the North.
SDLP councillor Martin Reilly said he hoped a City Deal could help address 'regional imbalances' and that it was 'missed opportunity'.
Cllr Reilly said that former SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan had fought for a City Deal at Westminster and was told it would not be granted without Executive support.
He told the meeting SDLP leader Colum Eastwood had written to the Secretary of State to ask him to come and visit Derry to hear why we need a City Deal and allow people to make their case.
Cllr Reilly noted that other cities had benefitted from a City Deal and asked: “Why not Derry?”
He said he thought it would be best to bring the Secretary of State to the Council Chamber to put the case to him.
UUP councillor Derek Hussey said he supported bringing the Secretary of State to council to discuss the issue.
Deficit
Alderman Hussey said there was a 'democratic deficit' as the MPs for Foyle and West Tyrone did not take their seats and could not argue their case for a City Deal.
He pointed out that Derry was 'well advanced' as a better candidate than Belfast for a City Deal.
DUP councillor Hilary McClintock said that her party would continue to push for a City Deal at Westminster.
Alderman McClintock said that if Belfast was to be first to get the City Deal then the North West should be second.
Independent unionist councillor Maurice Devenney said it was another example of the East/West divide and encouraged the MPs at Westminster to keep pushing for a City Deal.
Counci’sl Chief Executive John Kelpie said that council had been in discussion with the relevant parties in the hope of progressing the Strategic Growth Plan and a City Deal.
He told the meeting that council had contacted a number of relevant agencies including the Department of Communities, Secretary of State, the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service David Stirling and specifically asked to be included in the Autumn Budget.
Mr Kelpie said that while council were disappointed they were not mentioned in the budget, talks were well advanced at continuing the City Deal proposal and that they would continue to 'press on' with the issue having received a number of positive letters relating to it in recent days.
Councillors passed a proposal to invite the Secretary of State Mr Brokenshire to Derry to discuss a City Deal.
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