Meat put on bones of Culture Company

It will comprise 15 non-executive directors including the four party leaders on Derry City Council; the DUP's Gregory Campbell and UUP's Mary Hamilton are thus expected to sit on the board.

In a report to the monthly meeting of Derry City Council for December Chief Executive Valerie Watts advised preparations to form the Company were under way.

She stated: "Members will be aware that it was previously agreed that Council would establish a Company, limited by guarantee, for the purposes of the development and implementation of City of Culture 2013.

"Council will be the sole Member and it will appoint a Board with 15 Non-Executive Directors which will include the Council's four Party Leaders and the Town Clerk and Chief Executive.

"The Steering Group, comprising of the Mayor, Chair of Ilex and the Chief Executive Officers of Derry City Council, Ilex and the Strategic Investment Board,

along with Professor Declan McGonagle, have been preparing for the establishment of the Board.

"At this juncture some of the preparation requires decisions such as seeking proposals, through an open call, for culture programming leading up to 2013 and for the appointment of staff."

The Council Chief Executive is to act on behalf of Council until the Culture board is formed.

The Town Clerk advised members of Derry City Council:

"In the absence of the full Board it is proposed that Council delegate responsibility to the Town Clerk and Chief Executive to make decisions on behalf of Council.

"It is further proposed that the Town Clerk and Chief Executive would liaise with the Mayor and Party Leaders with respect to any decision that would be required. This interim arrangement would cease to exist once the full Board has been appointed and the Company established," said the town clerk in her report.