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It appears there is still quite a bit of mileage in a smoke and mirror strategy, where the proposed Newry City Park at the Albert Basin is concerned.
Last nights August meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council saw the Director of Enterprise and Tourism Conor Mallon reply to a request for clarity from a Councillor - the only problem was the reply had absolutely nothing to do with the request! In fact it was difficult to be sure as to what exactly the reply meant, as can be seen from an incorrect press release we received this morning from a Councillor (which we haven't published).
For those who have been out of touch this past ten years, council have committed to building a 15 acre park at the Albert Basin in the city and the Department of Finance are in the process of releasing funding of £16.2m for 'Phase One' of the project, with the entire project claimed to cost in the region of £30m.
Councillor David Lee-Surginor had put forward a Motion to last night's meeting calling for council to submit a bid to the Peace Plus Programme for the remaining funding needed to finish all phases of the park, but Council Chairperson Cllr Valerie Harte announced that the Motion would be sent to the Strategy Policy and Resources meeting, which next meets 17 August, but there is no guarantee it will be heard at that one and may be put on the 14 September agenda, which by then the motion would be obselete as the funding application closing date would have past.
Before reading his motion last night Councillor David Lee-Surginor said "can I seek clarity from council officers understanding whereas what happens if a time bound motion in relation to a funding bid with a fixed deadline is deferred to be heard past the deadline date."
Chairperson Cllr Harte replied "I have asked that Mr Mallon will give us a verbal update once you have read your motion and let us know who's seconding."
Cllr Lee-Surginor read his motion and the Chairperson confirmed that it would be sent to SP&R "but I have requested that Director Mallon will give us a verbal update please."
ERT Director Conor Mallon replied with an update on Phase One of the Park when clearly Cllr Lee-Surginor's motion didn't concern Phase One but rather concerned getting the additional money necessary to complete the park!
Mr Mallon said "Just an update on phase one of the park. The OBC has been completed and submitted to the Department for Communities. I attended and presented to the Casework Committee of DfC on the third of July past. I received confirmation on the fifth of July that the Casework Committee had approved the presentation and the OBC submission. That was subsequently approved by the DFC Permanent Secretary on the sixth of July and has been forwarded to the Department of Finance for consideration and approval for the release of the funding for phase one."
The Directors reply was accepted with Councillors seeming not to notice that he hadn't actually answered the question.
It seems though we are closer to Council being able to draw down the £16.2m funding but until this actually is approved by DoF the money isn't available but even when it is released this still leaves a need to source the additional money necessary, something that council seem reluctant to do.
The Motion
Noting the council has failed to deliver on previously agreed motions to submit funding bids for the Newry City Park to the Leveling up and Shared Island fund, council will now urgently prepare a capital funding bid to the Peace Plus Programme for the remainder of funding required to complete all phases of the project and deliver the world class park as promised to ratepayers and for full Council to approve this motion as deadline for this application is Thursday, the seventh of September 2023 5pm.
We have asked Council if this motion will be held at the August SP&R meeting and will update.
