Write a commentNewry and Mourne District Council, Down District Council and Louth County Council have signed up to a New Strategic Alliance that aims to to promote, strengthen and stimulate the social, cultural and economic links within the peoples of the region.
The three councils signed up to a tri-partnership Memorandum of Understanding yesterday at Down District Council’s new Civic Centre in Downpatrick. The event marked the extension and consolidation of the Memorandum of Understanding first signed in 2011 by Newry and Mourne District Council and Louth Local Authorities.
Councillors and senior officials sanctioned an agreement which will see the Councils working together on selected renewable energy and green technology environmental projects, tourism and recreation programmes, sustainable economic growth and job creation and emergency planning and shared resources. Co-operation activities may involve working up and delivering joint projects and funding applications, exploring opportunities for the co-ordination and sharing of services, as well as other actions as deemed appropriate by the Parties.
The signed agreement endorses the new relationship already established between Down District Council and Newry & Mourne District Council under the Review of Public Administration. It will see the new super Council and the Louth County Council deal with the many diverse challenges and opportunities that confront local authorities across administrative and political borders. This new tri-partnership will further cooperation in a tangible way, particularly in relation to supporting and promoting the economic development and competitiveness of the region for the mutual benefit of the entire cross-border community and deliver practical results on the ground for the benefit of local citizens.
Among those attending were the Chairs and Mayors of each Council authority. Down District Council Chairman, Councillor William Walker, who hosted the event, welcomed elected members and officers from the partnering Councils and commented, “This is a win-win for our Councils. This alliance provides a significant enhancement to the work delivered by each Council authority and will inform our business strategies. It is a great opportunity to extend our multi-faceted experience in energy, economics and emergency planning and build on our successes whilst also making the information available in a transparent way to as many stakeholders as possible. Following today’s momentous occasion, I look forward to closer collaboration and to seeing the tangible results of our joint activities.”
The event was also welcomed by Councillor Dáire Hughes (Mayor, Newry and Mourne District Council) and Cathaoirleach Councillor Oliver Tully (Louth County Council).
Councillor Hughes said “this is an historic day which will lead to improved opportunities for each of the Councils involved and provide a wide platform for cross border collaboration. My Council has for many years been committed to furthering cross-border development and today represents an important step forward in consolidating co-operation among public authorities on the island of Ireland”.
Councillor Tully, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council added “As Cathaoirleach I am delighted on behalf of Louth County Council to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Newry and Mourne District Council and Down District Council. This extension of the MOU to include Down District Council is a very welcomed development and can only build on the success of the process today between Louth and Newry and Mourne. I look forward to today’s signing being the catalyst to reenergise the process and see an increased engagement and cooperation between the authorities”.
The key objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are:
To promote, strengthen and stimulate the social, cultural and economic links within and between the peoples of the region
To provide an enabling framework to promote the region more effectively for inward investment and open up further opportunities for the sharing of services and coordinated management of key resources
To consolidate the long-established working relationships between the Parties, positioning them on a strategic long-term footing, and with an outward looking focus
To coordinate core functions of the Parties in selected areas of co-operation
To enhance the leadership position of the Parties within the cross-border region and bolster their influencing and coordinating role for the benefit of the entire community; and
To develop links with other local authorities and regional stakeholders.
The Memorandum of Understanding encompasses the establishment of a number of cooperative structures including a joint Committee of Elected Members; a joint Senior Management Group; an Advisory Forum; and a number of Project Teams as deemed appropriate to deliver on the key themes of co-operation. The Secretariat function which will rotate on an annual basis or by agreement will be pivotal to the success of the Charter signed in the Memorandum of Understanding.
