NI Councils At Westminster To Secure City Deal

Six Northern Ireland councils are in Westminster in a final push to get the go ahead for a city region deal.

They are hoping to secure funding from the treasury that could potentially create 20,000 jobs over 10 years.

Chancellor Philip Hammond will make the announcement on Monday as part of the next budget.

City deals are special packages of funding and decision-making power for local authorities. The Northern Ireland councils are hoping to secure £450million for the deal.

Proposals were submitted to the secretary of state Karen Bradley in September following months of preparations.

Despite Northern Ireland being without a power-sharing government since January 2017, the city deal is still likely to be given the green light.

Belfast City Council has partnered with councils Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Mid and East Antrim and Newry, Mourne and Down.

Private sector businesses are providing funding, along with Queen's University and Ulster University.

The 10-year plan is an effort to encourage economic growth, improve infrastructure and tourism in the area and upskill the workforce.

Northern Ireland politicians and business representatives are in Westminster to tell politicians about the benefits a city deal would bring to the region.

Chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Anne Donaghy, said she is confident the deal will be approved.

"This is a final push and we are going with the view that we will secure this.

"There are three projects in my area that we are seeking funding for and really they are once in a lifetime opportunities to redress some of the economic shocks we have experienced.

"We've lost over 2,000 highly paid jobs in the last few years with Michelin and JTI Gallaher and this is an opportunity for us to regain some of that employment in the borough," she said.

The Belfast Regional City Deal promises:

• Creation of a Global Innovation Institute focusing on already successful sectors in the city, including cybersecurity, financial services, healthcare and agri-food.

• Investment in digital connectivity to enable businesses across the region to connect to new markets and opportunities.

• New tourist attractions, including the regeneration of Bangor seafront and development of facilities at Hillsborough and Carrickfergus castles.

• Extension of Belfast's Rapid Transport System to take in outlying districts.

•Delivery of an extensive employability and skills programme, incorporating apprenticeship schemes.

The city of L'Derry is also working to secure a separate city deal to help drive investment in the north west.



(JG)