North West Strategic Growth Partnership continues to promote prosperity

The Principal of North West Regional College Leo Murphy has attended the second meeting of the recently established North West Strategic Growth Partnership, which has continued with its strong momentum to promote continued growth and prosperity in the North West City Region.This Partnership, which held its inaugural meeting in December 2016, is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland and represents a new and exciting approach to joined up government that has the potential to bring about real and positive change for the region. Jointly led by Donegal County Council and Derry City & Strabane District Council, the Partnership has been endorsed by both governments through the North South Ministerial Council and is made up of senior government officials from all Government departments in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland working together to collectively resource the region's key priorities for growth and development with a commitment to building a more resilient economy in the North West City Region. The Partnership which is being supported by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) heard from the Chief Executives of both Donegal County Council and Derry City & Strabane District Council on the ongoing work in the Donegal County Development Plan process and the Strategic Growth Plan for the Derry and Strabane area. The importance of these strategic planning frameworks was highlighted in terms of informing the priorities of the Partnership with a view to driving forward the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the region. Discussions ensued around a number of key strategic priority areas for the region including critical transport infrastructure requirements, industry, the economy and the associated skills needs, and realising the region's cultural and heritage tourism potential particularly in light of the upcoming European Year of Cultural Heritage.