Department's will work with Council to progress Park

The Department of Finance have said that although it was "envisaged" that the first tranche of the £16.2M Complementary Fund money awarded to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for the Albert Basin Park in Newry, would be "used over a four year period" they will work with the Council to see the project progress using the funding awarded in December 2021, even if the Council's original estimated timeframe is now "unrealistic".

It follows queries to two Government Departments from Newry.ie after we received conflicting information on when the funding granted to the park needed to be spent.

The DoF add that although a four year time frame was mentioned in the Council's original bid to the Complementary Fund, they consider it only an "estimated indicative timeframe" and that the money is "ring fenced". Reports seen by Newry.ie suggest that the Council will take 7 years to spend the £16.2M and that will just be phase one which will see the establishment of a play park, and green space, walking, cycling and running paths opening the site up for public access and links to the Greenway. 

The Department for Communities say that the Council have provided a revised spend profile "Following the development of a more detailed project delivery plan" and that they will continue to work with Council on the OBC, approvals and timescale for delivery.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council agreed at Thursday's SP&R meeting to send an Outline Business Case to the funders although this specifically only covers the proposed work to be done with the funding granted. Once the OBC has been approved a funding contract must be drawn up before the finances are released.

Council also agreed on Thursday to "commence procurement process for an integrated consultant team to develop the design, submit the planning application and manage the construction delivery" These have to be ratified at full Council in June.

In their reply to Newry.ie, the Department of Finance conclude that any "The funding under the Complementary Fund is ring fenced, however it was envisaged that the first tranche of some £50 million would be used over a four year period. Therefore the funding implications from any delays will be explored by the Department for Communities and the Department of Finance."