Strategic Growth Partnership sets vision for Derry and Strabane

The Strategic Growth (Community Planning) Partnership for Derry and Strabane came together today for its quarterly meeting to review progress on key programmes supporting inclusive growth, wellbeing and long-term regeneration across the council area.

The meeting, hosted by the Holywell Trust, brought together partners from central and local government, health, education, tourism, community and voluntary sectors to strengthen collaborative delivery of the Strategic Growth Plan.

Members received updates on a range of local priorities, including the introduction of a Health in All Policies approach to help tackle health inequalities, stressing the importance of collaborative working in dealing with issues effectively. Rural issues were discussed, with an update on the work of the Rural Issues Group, tackling challenges such as connectivity, rural isolation, infrastructure and housing, as well as the importance of rural schools within local communities.

Partners also heard more about progress on Pride in Place, a £20 million, 10-year regeneration programme focused on the district’s urban areas, and emerging issues affecting rural communities. The Partnership then reviewed its quarterly risk register, reaffirming the importance of sustained investment and partnership working to deliver key capital and community initiatives.

Speaking after the meeting, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, who co-chairs the Partnership, said: “The Strategic Growth Partnership plays a vital role in bringing organisations together to focus on the long-term wellbeing and prosperity of our communities.

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"Today’s meeting highlighted the real progress being made through initiatives like Pride in Place, while also ensuring that health, inclusion and rural needs remain central to our planning for the future.

“By working collaboratively, we can continue to drive meaningful, place-based change that improves quality of life for people right across Derry and Strabane.”

You can find the reports from today’s meeting at www.growderrystrabane.com.