Guildhall hit by funding shortfall

Work on the Guildhall Built Heritage project - part of the Walled City signature scheme - has become subject to a revised economic appraisal following a reduction of proposed funding from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

It is the second project in the city centre where funding contingency plans have had to be instigated after the coffers dried up.

In December the Sentinel reported how an 800,000 shortfall in the budget of the multi-million pound Guildhall Square/Waterloo Place public realm scheme in the city centre had to be made up through money available from the Department of Social Development's (DSD) own budget.

Now Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has revealed that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is seeking approval for a revised economic appraisal for the Guildhall Built Heritage scheme.

The Minister explained: "The original economic appraisal for the Guildhall project was revised following the reduction in NIEA funding.

"The revised economic appraisal is currently being considered on the basis of a funding shortfall of 2.72million. If the appraisal is supportive, NITB will be seeking approval of the project through processes established for the Integrated Development Fund and the Northern Ireland Executive."

Meanwhile the Minister also gave an update on two of the city's other key Built Heritage projects - First Derry Presbyterian Church and St Columb's Cathedral.

She stated: "A letter of offer for 2,029,279 was issued to St. Columb's Cathedral in February 2009. A project board has been created, tendering undertaken and contractors have been on site since January 2010 with the programme of works well underway. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by January 2011.

"A letter of offer for 1,387,279 was issued to the First Derry Presbyterian Church. A project board has been created and tendering undertaken."

Work will commence on the Guildhall scheme in 2010 as well as on Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and Aras Colmcille.

A spokesperson for the DoE responded: "NIEA did not cut its funding to the Guildhall by 2.72 million.

"It's expected Grant Aid will be reduced by 620K.

"The larger figure is likely to be a combination of expected NIEA Grant Aid and a bid as part of the NITB Administered Built Heritage Fund of the Walled City Signature Project to the Integrated Development Fund.

"Following a meeting between NIEA, NITB and representatives of Derry City Council on 26 January 2010 it has been decided to increase the bid to the IDF by the appropriate amount."