NW share of £80m still being finalised

Londonderry and the Western Trust are two out of nine investment zones to benefit from a province-wide £80m Social Investment Fund (SIF) to build pathways to employment; tackle deprivation; increase community services; and address dereliction.

Eight members - both political and non-political - of the Londonderry steering group founded to propose local projects identified lead partner organisations to carry out the proposed plans.

The First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness say consultants RSM McClure Waters, Wallace Consulting, Deloitte and Copius Consulting are finalising the appraisals.

“The Social Investment Fund Steering Groups prepared area plans for their zones, which included economic appraisals for up to ten proposed projects within their areas,” the Ministers stated.

“RSM McClure Waters, Wallace Consulting, Deloitte and Copius Consulting were appointed to assist the Steering Groups to complete the final area plans and economic appraisals for assessment by OFMDFM.

“The full value of the contracts are not yet finalised as the consultants are still undertaking work in relation to the Departmental review of the Appraisals,” they stated.

Alison Wallace (Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership), Charles Lamberton (TRIAX/Neighbourhood Partnership Board), Darren Kirby (Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership), Noel McCartney (Community Restorative Justice), Ann Donnelly (SDLP), Drew Thompson (DUP), Paul Fleming (Sinn Féin), Marion Quinn (SDLP) were all members of the Londonderry steering group.