DUP re-affirm support for separate centres

In a statement on Monday, MLA Maurice Devenney said that the Party was also confirming its support with regard to the residents of both Irish Street and Lincoln Court, who had voiced opposition to the proposal to amalgamate both their centres under one system of governance.

The proposal came to light earlier this year in leaked document.

Mr Devenney said: “Both estates held a Public meeting which was facilitated by an independent evaluator whom Derry City Council has commissioned to build a business case for centre amalgamations throughout the city. These public meetings were attended by over 50 residents from each estate.

“At this meeting the residents unanimously indicated that they wanted to retain their community centres and opposed the idea that their centres be amalgamated at the proposed site of Lisnagelvin swimming pool,” he said.

“The residents all confirmed that they felt that this proposal wouldn’t work as there were many barriers for the community. Among the barriers to this proposal were the different age groups being catered for in each area, the issue of transport particularly for elderly Irish Street residents as well as young people accessing after school activities.

“Both communities also agreed that much work had went into their centres to create a sense of community pride within their estates and that should their centre not be open to carry out this important work then all sense of community spirit would be lost. The DUP agree that this must not happen and that they will support the residents in any way possible,” he said.