‘UK’ to be retained in Guildhall UK City of Culture reference

LONDONDERRY’S local authority voted on Tuesday (April 23) to retain the ‘UK’ prefix of UK City of Culture 2013 in a new Plantation timeline within the city’s historic Guildhall, which hosts its first civic function after refurbishment at the end of May.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Apr 2013, 17:49 BST
Alderman Maurice Devenney. INLS 1713-536MT.Alderman Maurice Devenney. INLS 1713-536MT.
Alderman Maurice Devenney. INLS 1713-536MT.

The Unionist group on Council were supported by the SDLP whilst republicans voted against the UK reference on the new panel.

DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney succeeded in having the matter discussed in public despite a bid to move the debate behind closed doors as ‘confidential business.’

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Whilst Unionist wishes were observed with the retention of the UK title, the Council voted to retain ‘Derry’ as the preferred postal address for outgoing mail, and also to add ‘Doire’ to the local authority’s corporate brand alongside ‘Derry’ and ‘Londonderry.’

The Council backed a Sinn Féin proposal to establish a working group to make sure the new Guildhall is an inclusive place for everyone in the city.

However, DUP Alderman Joe Miller said Unionists would fight to ensure it does not become a vehicle for Sinn Féin to airbrush everything British from the Guildhall.

The SDLP insisted the group was established using the D’Hondt method.

For more on this story see tomorrow’s print edition of the Sentinel (Wednesday, April 24).

Related topics:DUPCouncilSDLP