Firm awarded closed tender to ease community tension in Strathfoyle

A MAGHERAFELT consultancy firm was awarded a closed tender by the Department of Social Development (DSD) - at a cost of £556.80 to the taxpayer - to facilitate conflict resolution in Strathfoyle last November.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2011, 10:19 BST

The firm was brought in due to community tensions in the Londonderry suburb that were apparently jeopardising a state programme to identify and intervene areas at risk of slipping into a spiral of decline.

According to the Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland McCreedy Donnelly Lowry Ltd. were awarded the Single Tender in November 2010.

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It was brought in to safeguard an Areas at Risk Pilot programme which was established in 2006 to help support communities, which perhaps feel neglected or isolated in order to help build confidence and a sense of belonging.

The Minister revealed the move in response to an Assembly Question from Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Jim Allister.

Mr McCausland stated: “Since May 2007 there has been one occasion when a supplier was secured through a single tender action in advance of authorisation by the Accounting Officer.

“This contract was awarded in November 2010 to facilitate mediation/conflict resolution with groups in Strathfoyle, Londonderry due to the need for immediate resolution to community tensions which were posing a threat to the Areas at Risk process.

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“The Areas at Risk Pilot Programme was established in 2006 to identify and intervene in areas at risk of slipping into a spiral of decline.”

According to the Minister the expenditure in the case was £556.80 and the suppliers were McCreedy Donnelly Lowry Ltd.

He advised that approval was being sought but had not yet been granted.

Related topics:Jim Allister