Name of ‘super council’ not inclusive to PUL community

Prominent Unionist Colin Campbell, said he was saddened by the choice of title, and said the SDLP could have voted with the Unionists, recognising the many Unionist voters who had showed them support in the past against Sinn Fein.

“Mark Durkan gained many Unionist votes in previous elections. This decision is sad; so much for a shared future,” he said, adding: “We knew we wouldn’t have get Londonderry in the title, but Foyle & Strabane District Council would have been accepted by Unionists in Londonderry. If people had known the vote was coming up last week, maybe the Unionist councillors could have planned a better campaign. I am not alone in asking ‘what was the £30k spent on’?

However, SDLP councillor John Boyle said a profile of the city had been built nationally and internationally to attract inward investment and encourage tourism.

“The SDLP feel that the task of building a brand identity for the new Council with anything other than the names of the two urban hubs in the Council name is a weak and anodyne proposition. It is vital the city name is in the title. The city needs to thrive in order to make it possible for the surrounding district to thrive. It stands to reason that we chose a name that reflects the brands which already exist and to that end marrying Derry City Council and Strabane District Council together is the best strategic solution,” he said.

A council spokesperson said a motion by Paul Fleming (SF) to name the new Council ‘Derry City and Strabane District Council’ was carried at the Shadow Council meeting last week: “An entirely separate process was initiated asking elected members to approve and support a new brand and identity of the new Council. The proposal outlined a range of options and timelines but did not include any decisions relation to the name of the new Council. An updated paper with recommendations from an independent consultant appointed to carry out the brand development stages will be presented to members.”

The paper will considered over the coming months, the spokesperson said, adding: “As part of the process the consultant will provide detail on the process of brand research, data gathering and analysis in the creation of a brand and a brand strategy.”