Albert Basin Park funding not affected by First Minister Resignation

It's believed that the current impasse at Stormont brought on by the resignation of First Minister Paul Givan won't affect the allocation of £16.2M funding granted to the Albert Basin Park in December 2021 as part of the Executive’s Belfast City Deal Complementary fund.

In a query to the Department of Finance a spokesperson explained to Newry.ie that the Executive has agreed the Complementary Fund allocations on 10 December.

To date none of the funding has been paid to Newry, Mourne and Down Council but it could be paid as soon as this month.

It's understood that all Complementary Fund projects must produce a business case, which will require approval by the relevant NI Civil Service department. Michael Lipsett, Director of Active and Healthy Communities Committee, Newry, Mourne and Down Council has advised that the timeline for completion of the Albert Basin Park OBC is February 2022.

After the business case has been approved, a Contract For Funding would be issued and agreed, at which point funding would be able to be paid.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council allocated £150k to the Albert Basin Park a considerable time ago and at the Albert Basin Park Project Board Meeting 30 November 2021 Cllr Pete Byrne asked was the sufficient to cover the Outline Business Case costs and timeline for completion. In reply Michael Lipsett, Active and Healthy Communitys Director said he was confident it would but in the event of a shortfall a request would be made to the SP&R Committee. At the same meeting Lipsett indicated the OBC case should be completed in February.