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NORTH WEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Minutes of the North West Regional Development Group AGM held in the Catalyst Inc. Fort George, on Friday 26th July at 11.00am

PRESENT: Derry City & District Council: Mr John Kelpie (Chief Executive) Councillor Sinead McLaughlin Alderman Darren Guy Councillor Sandra Duffy Councillor Anne McCloskey Councillor Dan Kelly Councillor Mary Durkan Ms Karen McFarland Ms Karen Phillips Mr Stephen Gillespie Ms Aeidin McCarter Mr Kevin O’Connor

Donegal County Council: Mr Seamus Neely (Chief Executive) Councillor Albert Doherty Councillor Paul Canning Councillor Gerry McMonagle Councillor Bernard McGuinness Councillor Ciaran Brogan Mr Michael McGarvey Mr Garry Martin Mr Liam Ward Mr John McLaughlin Mr Richard Gibson

In attendance: NWRDG Secretariat: Ms Dara Doherty Business Support & Strategic Partnership Mr Colm Doherty Ms Anne McElchar

1. Welcome and apologies

The Vice Chair Councillor McGuinness welcomed members to the meeting and noted apologies as follows:

APOLOGIES

- Ms Rachael Craig DC&SDC - Mr Alfie Dallas DC&SDC - Ms Maureen Doherty NWRDG Secretariat

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Councillor McGuinness thanked Councillor Gus Hastings for the work he had done as Chair of the Group over the last year and wished him well in his future endeavours.

2. Election of Chair

Councillor Canning proposed that Councillor McGuinness take the Chair position for the incoming year, as he has been involved in the cross border group for many years.

PROPOSED: Councillor Canning SECONDED: Councillor Doherty

Councillor McGuinness thanked members for their proposal and said it was an honour to Chair the NWRDG and that he had been involved in the Group since its inception.

3. Election of Vice Chair

Alderman Guy proposed Councillor McLaughlin.

PROPOSED: Alderman Guy SECONDED: Councillor Duffy

Councillor McLaughlin thanked Alderman Guy and Councillor Duffy for their proposal.

4. Minutes and Matters Arising from Meeting of 6th March 2019

Minutes of the 6th March 2019 were checked for accuracy. There were no matters arising.

PROPOSED: Councillor Canning SECONDED: Councillor Doherty

5. Presentation – Progress on Regional Collaboration and Growth

Mr Kelpie welcomed the new members and delivered a detailed presentation on the approach to cross border collaboration to date and the progress on regional collaboration and growth.

Mr Kelpie said that collaboration between the two Council areas has being going on for over 30 years but added that since establishment of the new arrangements in 2015, this collaboration was very much more strategically focussed and directed. He said the NW Cross Border City Region has an urban population of over 200,000 people and has a greater catchment of 350,000 to 400,000 people. It is the fourth largest City Region in the island of Ireland and the second largest City Region in Northern Ireland.

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Mr Kelpie updated members on:

 Collaboration between the two Councils  Collaboration between the North West City Region  Opportunities and challenges  The Vision of the Group  Objectives  Integrated Approach  Partnership between the Councils, the North West Regional Development Group, and the North West Strategic Growth Partnership  Background of the NWRDG  Agreement and Implementation

Mr Neely updated members on:

 Economy and Business Progress  Environment, Infrastructure and Regeneration Progress  Tourism, Culture and Community Progress  City Deal/Regional Growth Deal  Key Strategic Priorities.

Mr Neely said that whilst both Councils had visions and plans for the development of their own areas, the City Region concept - with a significant population offers an improved opportunity for growth and regional positioning, particularly having regard to the huge similarity in the strategies of both Councils.

Mr Neely referred to the Memorandum of Understanding between the three educational establishments who presented at the NWSGP meeting in Dublin and referred to the extensive work that has been undertaken by all partners so far. He also mentioned IBEC/CBI who presented at the Dublin meeting and advised of their intention to work with the two Councils.

It was noted that, subject to due process, that A5 phase 1 will hopefully commence later this year, and that the Multi Modal Transport Hub is a very significant transport project along with the NW Greenways project. He also referred to the Climate Change agenda and the proposed Medical School development at Magee College.

Mr Neely updated on the work that Harvard have been commissioned to carry out. He advised that this work is being led by Professor Gareth Doherty and will imagine / interpret how the cross border City Region could be shaped in light of the economic, political, and social realities of Brexit.

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Q&A

Councillor McLaughlin asked was there any discussion on the prospect of financial support for a wider regional deal when the Chief Executives met An Tánaiste. Mr Kelpie said the conversation was centred on economic growth and that the Minister and his officials were fully briefed on the support required in the region. Mr Neely advised that the infrastructure and other needs of the region have been and are continuously presented to the various Departments via the North West Strategic Growth Partnership.

Councillor McCloskey thanked the Chief Executives for the informative presentation. She said that she was not aware that the Group engages with the North/South Ministerial Council and referred to the problems presented by Stormont. She commended the cross border cooperation in the field of health care and suggested that the Group should look at further aspects of cross border co-operation arising from the Good Friday Agreement.

Councillor Canning congratulated the team on the work done so far. He said that there was competition for foreign direct investment from other regions. He said the Group was on the right track but will have to continue to raise standards, advocacy and ideas.

Councillor McMonagle said that it was very important for the Group to look at funding streams and to continue developing plans and strategies.

Mr Kelpie said that both Councils had carried out a joint Brexit analysis and he advised members that he would be leaving the meeting to meet the new Secretary of State for NI, Mr Julian Smith. . He said that as well as the considerable risk to the realm of Brexit which must be mitigated, there may also be opportunities for the region - beyond Brexit.

Mr Kelpie thanked members for their positive comments. He concurred that there is competition from other regions. He added that the influential voice is much stronger here than in the other City Regions, however continued funding is crucial.

Referring to the North West Development Fund, Mr Kelpie said that the Group were nearly 75/80% committed and can demonstrate significant progress, however, continued lobbying for funding was needed.

Mr Kelpie informed members of the City Deal/Innovative Future Fund £105m recent funding announcement. He added that Derry City and Strabane District Council is currently working with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to increase that package to in excess of £200m.

Mr Kelpie referred to the recent North West Strategic Growth Partnership meeting held in Dublin Castle. He said the NWSGP meet twice a year and at the latest meeting there was full representation from both Governments Departments at senior level who give influential and strategic support. He said key strategic priorities, subject to member’s thoughts and comments, are prioritised depending on current circumstances. Mr Kelpie added that the City Deal will be a key priority over the next 6 months.

Councillor McGuinness thanked the CEs for their presentation and for the work they have carried out in order to promote the region.

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6 Strategic NW Partnership Governance Issues

(a) NW07/19 Financial Monitoring Report and Register of Decisions – for approval

Mr Neely sought Members approval of the Financial Monitoring Report and Register of Decisions as at July 2019. He added that £3.23m had been committed from the fund to date, and officials are developing further detailed project proposals in line with the overall project budget. Mr Neely sought members’ approval of the Financial Monitoring Report and Register of Decisions as at July 2019.

PROPOSED: Councillor Canning SECONDED: Councillor Doherty

(b) NW08/19 NW Partnership Risk Register – for approval

Mr Neely advised the Risk Register is presented at every meeting and added that there have been no additional risks since the previous report.

Councillor McLaughlin asked if regional governments were lobbied for future funding. Mr Neely said at the NWSGP meeting the need for continued funding was highlighted to all Departments. He advised there are multiple ideas for funding and will keep members updated.

PROPOSED: Councillor McMonagle SECONDED: Councillor Canning

(c) NW Special Economic Zone Draft Scoping Study

Mr Michael Gallagher, Senior Economist with DC&SDC introduced Mr Andrew Webb who gave a detailed and comprehensive report on the North West Special Economic Zone. Mr Webb advised that DC&SDC on behalf of the NWRDG commissioned Grant Thornton’s Economic Advisory team to complete a scoping study to examine the feasibility of the establishment of a Cross-Border Enterprise Zone/Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the North West Region.

He said this piece of work was building on the work from 2017 with the first look at Brexit and what the challenges of Brexit will be, the economic challenges in this area, the invisible border and what will it mean for organisations, people and cross border flow.

Q&A

Councillor Doherty commended the work ongoing by the Derry, Strabane and Donegal Sports Partnership. He said there is great cooperation and opportunities for sports. He referred to the Foyle Cup which utilised bed spaces throughout the North West area. He said that both Councils share the Foyle and need to use it to its full potential. He also referred to the ferry service and further potential opportunities that the river presents.

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Councillor McLaughlin stressed the need to be prepared for the 31st October. In conclusion, Mr Neely said the NW scoping study was commissioned so the partnership could have a broad baseline and dataset to assist in the development of options.

7. Physical and Environmental Development

(a) Riverine Project Update – For Information

Mr Ward advised that the project was awarded €8.96m and the letter of offer was received in June 2019. Mr Ward added that there will be three members of staff recruited, a Project Manager, a Project Officer and an Animator and the completion date for the project was March 2023. He also said that the Riverine project will complement other projects such as the NW Greenways Project.

(b) NW09/19 North West Climate Action Plan – for approval.

Ms Phillips sought members’ approval for expenditure from the North West Development Fund for costs associated with the delivery of a North West Climate Action Plan (NWCAP) for DC&SDC and DCC.

PROPOSED: Councillor Brogan SECONDED: Councillor Canning

8. Economic Growth and Development

(a) NW10/19 Ireland NW US Trade and Investment Programme 2018 – For Information

Mr Stephen Gillespie provided members with a detailed report on the expenditure breakdown of the additional costs of £10,000 incurred for the Boston & Philadelphia Trade Mission 2018 Programme which was requested at the last meeting.

(b) NW11/19 Development of a Regional Tourism Strategy Proposal

Mr Martin sought member’s approval to develop a Regional Tourism Programme that includes co-ordinated destination campaigns with associated marketing collateral that aligns with local, national and regional tourism strategies and will support the North West City Region where tourism has been identified as a key proposition.

PROPOSED: Councillor McMonagle SECONDED: Councillor Doherty

9. Social & Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Matters Update

(a) NW Ministry of Youth/Youth 19 Project Update.

Ms Karen McFarland presented a report to update members on the Cross Border Cooperation element of Youth 19. She added that the aim of this project was to support youth in the cross border region and to optimise collaboration opportunities for young people to work together.

Members were asked to note the content of the report and the approach to project delivery. Mrs McFarland advised that she would provide a further update at a future meeting. 6

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10. AOB

Noted that the next meeting will be held on 27th September 2019 in Colab, LYIT, , Co Donegal.

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