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Notes to Editor - Highlights for 2007

Access to the North West

Agreement was reached with the Irish Govt with regard to joint funding for safety works at the City of Derry Airport to ensure the airport reaches the highest standard of public safety. In May 2007, Ryanair, announced a new route from City of Derry Airport to Bristol which commenced in November 2007, bringing to five the number of low fare routes offered by the low cost airline from the airport. The airport, despite its closure in May, witnessed a record year with 432, 816 passengers travelling through the airport. Derry City Council also progressed the argument for investment in roads and rail with active participation in the Railway Corridor Group and through the Civic Regeneration Forum building a case for regional infrastructure investment.

Investment/Economy

The Council’s Wireless City Service was launched in November 2007 and is the first service of its kind in Ireland and one of the first in the UK. It highlights the city’s status at the forefront of technology provision. The city has also partnered with the Diaspora project aimed to encourage greater network and connections among business people in the UK and America who are originally from this region. This is an effort to grow and develop the economy of the region.

Sports/leisure /Play

Capital investment in leisure brought over £1million to the re-opening of William Street Baths and the new Competition Line Fitness Suite at Templemore Sports Complex. This added to the greater environmental changes Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre and the City Baths which converted to natural gas. Over 800.000 people use local leisure facilities in the city and this is a welcome enhancement.

St Columb’s Park Synthetic Pitch was officially opened following an investment of over £634,000 primarily from the Department of Social Development and the Council. The new pitch is the cornerstone for the regeneration of the Park and is the first steps towards the development of St Columb’s Park Masterplan. It is also home to the IFA school of excellence. A new multi purpose sports pitch and changing pavilion was also opened at Newbuildings FC sports round were officially opened in June thanks to partnership investment of almost £190,000 investment.

Plans to develop lands at Oakland Park into social housing units and community facilities were unveiled during 2007 and work on the project is at an advanced stage. The project is a joint venture between Council and a private developer in association with North and West Housing Ltd, and when completed will play a vital role in regenerating the Creggan area.

Work on the Interagency Play Strategy is continuing following the completion of a consultation process to bring this project forward. Led by the Derry Children’s Commission, the Strategy aims to identify the overall vision of a Child Friendly City; and develop a model of good practice which can inform planning for play in other council areas.

The city successfully secured £1.2m for the development of a new walkway for pedestrians and cyclists along the East Bank of the River as part of the Sustrans Connect 2 bid for the People’s Millions. Work on this project is expected to commence this year. This is in addition to a new cross border cycle route - Inis Eoghain Cycleway - a 55km loop connecting the River Foyle in Derry to Lough Swilly in Co Donegal. The project was funded by Derry City Council, Donegal County Council, DRD Roads Service, Sustrans, EHS, and by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme. The project promotes the development of cycling and walking infrastructure as a product supports the potential for eco-tourism in the North West.

Riverview Park was also opened in July following the first phase of the regeneration of this green space. Work is continuing to enhance the play value of this important green space and its future. Work was completed on the first phase of the Claudy Country Park Access and Biodiversity Project and work on phase 2 of the improvements are continuing to develop better facilities for the wider rural community.

Events and festivals

Derry City Council hosted a series of successful events and festivals throughout 2007 including the annual St Patrick’s Day Carnival, the Christmas Switch on and the Banks of the Foyle Halloween festival. The 06th City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival was also a tremendous success with 250 local and international artists performing over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Other events included Foyle Days, the Springwatch festival when the city was chosen to represent Northern Ireland in the BBC Breathing Places. The city hosted a series of events to mark International Walled Towns Day, an international cycle race, the Liam Ball Triathlon along with the welcome return of the Waterside Half Marathon. Festive visitors enjoyed an extended mayor’s festival along with a stunning 10,001 Santa event, the Mayor’s official charity. Over 65,000 people enjoyed these ranges of events in the city.

Tourism/Culture development

The newly refurbished £3.2m investment at the Tower Museum was formally acknowledged when funders, project partners and contributors attended the formal launch. The completion of the work signalled a reinvigorated role for the museum and outlined the Council’s commitment to presenting the city’s heritage in an accessible and innovative way. It also recorded a significant growth in visitor numbers with over 25,000 attending the newly refurbished Story of Derry Exhibition and An Armada Shipwreck~ La Trinidad Valencera exhibition. The museum service has excelled in 2007 with a host of creative community and international exhibitions, an extended education and outreach programme.

Phase one of the Walled City Signature Project concluded successfully with the completion of visitor signage and orientation and the regeneration of a number of tourism attractions including the Tower Museum, as well as the production of a conservation plan for the city walls. The project is led by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) in partnership with Ilex, the co-ordinating body for IDF funding, and project commissioners Derry City Council.

The restoration of the Old City Fire Station on Hawkin Street was one of the key conservation-led regeneration projects undertaken by Derry City Council during 2007. The aim of the project is to bring this vacant building back into productive use and create additional employment space. It was co-financed by Council to the sum of £800,000. Another regeneration initiative was the implementation of new and improved signage schemes at the city’s industrial parks. While work commenced on the refurbishment of the former Northern Counties Building thanks to over £300,000 in Heritage and Lottery funding.

Environment

2007 was a very successful year for the City Council area in its achievement of increasing its level recyclable waste. Our targets have been achieved and to date we recycle 32.8% of our household waste and are committed to increasing that figure during 2008. The Council is continuing to increase the cleanliness standards of the city and this has been acknowledged in the annual Tidy Northern Ireland survey while ongoing projects such as the Pride in our City and Biodiversity Projects to improve the city and its environs. he Council has also secured a pilot project with Bryson House, which will see the commencement of a glass and textile collection service to 12,000 homes across the city while 15,000 brown bins, for household and garden waste, will be distributed during the new financial year while significant progress has been made on the development of a new recycling centre at Park. Works have commenced on this project and are expected to be completed ahead of schedule in the early spring.

Derry City Council will continue to be involved with community and school projects, throughout the city, to assist with raising awareness of environmental matters. These include projects such as community clean ups, tidy garden competitions, schools environmental awareness projects and advice on bonfires. This positive work will continue during 2008 and efforts will continue to raise awareness among the local community of the importance of the local environment and recycling initiatives.

Community living/social inclusion

A welcome pack for minority works and newly arrived citizens was launched in April. The pack is produced in six different languages and is downloadable via the Council website and provides basic information on local services and how to access them. It is one of a number of proactive projects undertaken to assist the number of new citizens coming to the city to live and work.

Community safety was in the spot light with the official launch of the Community Safety Warden Project. This was aimed at tackling levels of crime and anti-social behaviour while improving the quality of life and safety of those living in the surrounding University areas of the city. The Community Safety Warden Scheme is promoted and supported by the Community Safety Partnership.

The Civic Forum for alcohol also supported the profiling of a series of initiatives to curb underage drinking including the Only 4 and Code of practice for off-licences.

Corporate

The council employs over 600 staff. It services over 100 meetings annually with the vast majority of business conducted in public . Also in addition to the capital and project work its regulatory function carries out almost 2,000 inspections and visits.


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Notes to Editor - Highlights for 2007 Access to the North West Agreement was reached with the Irish Govt with regard to joint funding for safety works at the City of Derry Airport to ensure the airport reaches the highest standard of public safety. In May 2007, Ryanair, announced a new route from City of Derry Airport to Bristol which commenced in November 2007, bringing to five the number of low fare routes offered by the low cost airline from the airport. The airport, despite its closure in May, witnessed a record year with 432, 816 passengers travelling through the airport. Derry City Council also progressed the argument for investment in roads and rail with active participation in the Railway Corridor Group and through the Civic Regeneration Forum building a case for regional infrastructure investment. Investment/Economy The Council’s Wireless City Service was launched in November 2007 and is the first service of its kind in Ireland and one of the first in the UK. It highlights the city’s status at the forefront of technology provision. The city has also partnered with the Diaspora project aimed to encourage greater network and connections among business people in the UK and America who are originally from this region. This is an effort to grow and develop the economy of the region. Sports/leisure /Play Capital investment in leisure brought over £1million to the re-opening of William Street Baths and the new Competition Line Fitness Suite at Templemore Sports Complex. This added to the greater environmental changes Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre and the City Baths which converted to natural gas. Over 800.000 people use local leisure facilities in the city and this is a welcome enhancement. St Columb’s Park Synthetic Pitch was officially opened following an investment of over £634,000 primarily from the Department of Social Development and the Council. The new pitch is the cornerstone for the regeneration of the Park and is the first steps towards the development of St Columb’s Park Masterplan. It is also home to the IFA school of excellence. A new multi purpose sports pitch and changing pavilion was also opened at Newbuildings FC sports round were officially opened in June thanks to partnership investment of almost £190,000 investment. Plans to develop lands at Oakland Park into social housing units and community facilities were unveiled during 2007 and work on the project is at an advanced stage. The project is a joint venture between Council and a private developer in association with North and West Housing Ltd, and when completed will play a vital role in regenerating the Creggan area. Work on the Interagency Play Strategy is continuing following the completion of a consultation process to bring this project forward. Led by the Derry Children’s Commission, the Strategy aims to identify the overall vision of a Child Friendly City; and develop a model of good practice which can inform planning for play in other council areas. The city successfully secured £1.2m for the development of a new walkway for pedestrians and cyclists along the East Bank of the River as part of the Sustrans Connect 2 bid for the People’s Millions. Work on this project is expected to commence this year. This is in addition to a new cross border cycle route - Inis Eoghain Cycleway - a 55km loop connecting the River Foyle in Derry to Lough Swilly in Co Donegal. The project was funded by Derry City Council, Donegal County Council, DRD Roads Service, Sustrans, EHS, and by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme. The project promotes the development of cycling and walking infrastructure as a product supports the potential for eco-tourism in the North West. Riverview Park was also opened in July following the first phase of the regeneration of this green space. Work is continuing to enhance the play value of this important green space and its future. Work was completed on the first phase of the Claudy Country Park Access and Biodiversity Project and work on phase 2 of the improvements are continuing to develop better facilities for the wider rural community. Events and festivals Derry City Council hosted a series of successful events and festivals throughout 2007 including the annual St Patrick’s Day Carnival, the Christmas Switch on and the Banks of the Foyle Halloween festival. The 06th City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival was also a tremendous success with 250 local and international artists performing over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Other events included Foyle Days, the Springwatch festival when the city was chosen to represent Northern Ireland in the BBC Breathing Places. The city hosted a series of events to mark International Walled Towns Day, an international cycle race, the Liam Ball Triathlon along with the welcome return of the Waterside Half Marathon. Festive visitors enjoyed an extended mayor’s festival along with a stunning 10,001 Santa event, the Mayor’s official charity. Over 65,000 people enjoyed these ranges of events in the city. Tourism/Culture development The newly refurbished £3.2m investment at the Tower Museum was formally acknowledged when funders, project partners and contributors attended the formal launch. The completion of the work signalled a reinvigorated role for the museum and outlined the Council’s commitment to presenting the city’s heritage in an accessible and innovative way. It also recorded a significant growth in visitor numbers with over 25,000 attending the newly refurbished Story of Derry Exhibition and An Armada Shipwreck~ La Trinidad Valencera exhibition. The museum service has excelled in 2007 with a host of creative community and international exhibitions, an extended education and outreach programme. Phase one of the Walled City Signature Project concluded successfully with the completion of visitor signage and orientation and the regeneration of a number of tourism attractions including the Tower Museum, as well as the production of a conservation plan for the city walls. The project is led by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) in partnership with Ilex, the co-ordinating body for IDF funding, and project commissioners Derry City Council. The restoration of the Old City Fire Station on Hawkin Street was one of the key conservation-led regeneration projects undertaken by Derry City Council during 2007. The aim of the project is to bring this vacant building back into productive use and create additional employment space. It was co-financed by Council to the sum of £800,000. Another regeneration initiative was the implementation of new and improved signage schemes at the city’s industrial parks. While work commenced on the refurbishment of the former Northern Counties Building thanks to over £300,000 in Heritage and Lottery funding. Environment 2007 was a very successful year for the City Council area in its achievement of increasing its level recyclable waste. Our targets have been achieved and to date we recycle 32.8% of our household waste and are committed to increasing that figure during 2008. The Council is continuing to increase the cleanliness standards of the city and this has been acknowledged in the annual Tidy Northern Ireland survey while ongoing projects such as the Pride in our City and Biodiversity Projects to improve the city and its environs. he Council has also secured a pilot project with Bryson House, which will see the commencement of a glass and textile collection service to 12,000 homes across the city while 15,000 brown bins, for household and garden waste, will be distributed during the new financial year while significant progress has been made on the development of a new recycling centre at Park. Works have commenced on this project and are expected to be completed ahead of schedule in the early spring. Derry City Council will continue to be involved with community and school projects, throughout the city, to assist with raising awareness of environmental matters. These include projects such as community clean ups, tidy garden competitions, schools environmental awareness projects and advice on bonfires. This positive work will continue during 2008 and efforts will continue to raise awareness among the local community of the importance of the local environment and recycling initiatives. Community living/social inclusion A welcome pack for minority works and newly arrived citizens was launched in April. The pack is produced in six different languages and is downloadable via the Council website and provides basic information on local services and how to access them. It is one of a number of proactive projects undertaken to assist the number of new citizens coming to the city to live and work. Community safety was in the spot light with the official launch of the Community Safety Warden Project. This was aimed at tackling levels of crime and anti-social behaviour while improving the quality of life and safety of those living in the surrounding University areas of the city. The Community Safety Warden Scheme is promoted and supported by the Community Safety Partnership. The Civic Forum for alcohol also supported the profiling of a series of initiatives to curb underage drinking including the Only 4 and Code of practice for off-licences. Corporate The council employs over 600 staff. It services over 100 meetings annually with the vast majority of business conducted in public . Also in addition to the capital and project work its regulatory function carries out almost 2,000 inspections and visits.
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