Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Governance and Strategic Planning Committee today approved a new capital investment programme which will see a range of capital projects being delivered across all District Electoral Areas within the Council area.
Building on over £200m of community capital projects already delivered or being progressed by the Council over the last number of years, the investment forms part of a new £482m programme of transformative strategic and community capital investment being taken forward by Council.
Following the signing of the transformative City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund investment plan in September 2024, Members of the Committee heard how the new capital strategy and rates investment approved as part of the recent rates process ensured that Council now had financing of up to £100m in place towards its two key strategic leisure aspirations in Templemore and Strabane, which were now being progressed to detailed design and planning, and would also enable Council to progress a further suite of community capital projects.
Council’s Lead Finance Officer, Alfie Dallas advised Members that, despite a very challenging external funding environment, the new community investment approved would see the delivery of nine new play parks across the Council District (Currynerin, Rossdowney, Clady, Sperrin Heritage Centre, Carlton Drive, Hazelbank, Prehen, Glenowen and Carnhill), two new community centres at Glenview and Springhill, the refurbishment of Leafair 3G pitch, new carparking at Leafair community hub, new floodlighting at Melvin Arena, three new greenway lighting projects (Foyle Valley, Drumahoe and Bay Road), and the development of recycling facilities at Castlederg as well as progression of site acquisition and detailed designs for new recycling facilities in the Waterside.
As works progress on the new cemetery provision at Mullenan Road, funding would also be allocated to future proof capacity and address health and safety issues at Council’s other cemetery sites at Mountcastle, Ballyoan, Strabane and Castlederg.
Members of the Committee were also advised that funding would also be ringfenced to ensure the continued design, development and scoping of funding applications for a range of other community projects to ensure these can progress in due course, as well as providing for critical health and safety and maintenance investment in Council’s existing and comprehensive asset portfolio.
Chairperson of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee chairperson, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais said that this capital investment strategy is a very positive news story for the Council.
She said: “This investment and strategic funding plan shows Council’s ongoing and sustained commitment to delivering on its strategic objectives, fostering inclusive growth, and providing enhanced facilities and services for all residents across the district. As a Council we look forward to reaping the benefits of this significant financial investment in our communities.”
The report is subject to ratification at Full Council later this month.
The meeting can be viewed online at the Council’s Youtube channel.
The meeting papers are available on the website at: https://tinyurl.com/ms4d42wj
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