New group topromote CoC

Permanent Secretary at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Ms Flanagan was appointed chair of the new Stakeholder Group on September 25.

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín revealed the establishment of the oversight body when asked to outline the nature and extent of the co-ordination of events and visits in 2013 between the World Police and Fire Games and the Culture Company.

She said the Chief executive of the Londonderry Culture Company Shona McCarthy has met with the Chief Executive of the World Police and Fire Games Ltd. Company formally.

She said members of both organisations sat on a 2012 Stakeholder Group, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETINI) David Sterling, and last month established the new oversight group for next year.

“On September 25 the members of the 2012 Stakeholder Group along with other organisations, who have an interest in 2013, met and established a 2013 Stakeholder Group which is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of DCAL,” explained the Minister.

The new body’s role is to continue the momentum of 2012 to 2013 and beyond; champion and promote 2013 Events particularly the World Police & Fire Games and City of Culture; provide a forum for communication on 2013 events; provide oversight of 2013 events calendar in order to assist in the co-ordination of Ministerial involvement and messaging in relation to the 2013 World Police and Fire Games and City of Culture.”

Meanwhile, the Minister said the Culture Company does not have any formal relationship with the GAA or Comhaltas Ceóltoiri Éireann, which is bringing the Fleadh to Londonderry next year.

However, she said the Culture Company has been liaising with local and national representatives of these organisations.

“Discussions relating to Féile na nOg, the under 14s championship, have been held with Cumann Luthchleas Gael. Culture Company is working in partnership with a wide variety of bodies to develop and deliver elements of the City of Culture 2013 Cultural Programme,” she stated.

The Culture Company is owned by Derry City Council and £12.6m has been provided by DCAL for UK City of Culture 2013.

Two weeks ago the Culture Company’s marketing functions were called in by Derry City Council.

Council Chief Executive Sharon O’Connor wrote to the company on Wednesday, October 3, to state that its marketing function was “not performing.”