News Release Page Title

28 July 2003

MINISTER ANNOUNCES MAJOR BOOST TO REGENERATION IN THE NORTH-WEST

Economic Policy Minister, Ian Pearson, MP, and Social Development Minister, John Spellar, MP, today welcomed the creation of a new Urban Regeneration Company for the city of Londonderry and the Derry City Council area.

The company - Ilex Urban Regeneration Company- has been set up by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister and the Department for Social Development to stimulate social and economic regeneration for the City and Council Area.

Ian Pearson said: "This represents an exciting development for Derry City Council and the North-West. Ilex will stimulate the major economic improvements planned under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative announced last year by the then First Minister and Deputy First Minister David Trimble and Mark Durkan, together with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.

"A great deal of work has already been done to plan the regeneration of the region, and the company will have the powers, people and resources to help turn these plans into reality."

John Spellar said: "Ilex will work in close co-operation with government, the Council and the private sector and I am delighted that such a high calibre Board is now in place to deliver the transformation that is needed. Under the direction of the Board the company’s immediate task is to seek a Chief Executive and put in place a top quality team.

"Company Chair, Dr Alan McClure, was appointed in April to set up the company and the new Board includes a strong private sector team – Mr Richard Sterling OBE, Managing Director of Coolkeeragh Group Ltd; Mr Garvan O’Doherty, Company Director; Ms Laura Magahy, Managing Director of Magahy & Co; and Professor Eddie Friel, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Tourist Board. In addition, the Board will include the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster and senior officials from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, the Department for Social Development, and Invest Northern Ireland. The Chief Executive of Derry City Council will also be on the Board as will the yet to be appointed Chief Executive of Ilex URC Ltd."

In conclusion Ian Pearson said: "With the proven track record of the members of the Board, I am confident that we will see clear progress at an early stage. But the transformation of the city and the wider region will - as we know from experience in Belfast and other areas - take a decade or more. The first step is to ensure that there is a strategy to follow and that it is agreed with all of the statutory agencies. I have asked the company to make sure that this plan is in place and work underway to implement it, by next April. This is a demanding timescale, but I have every confidence in this talented Board and I wish the company every success."

The new company’s title, Ilex, is the classical Latin name of the Holm, or evergreen oak. The oak leaf has long been a symbol of Derry, and a metaphor for strength and durability, and for growth and development.

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. The full Board of the Company will be:

    • Dr Alan McClure, Chair

    • Mr Edgar Jardine, Director of Economic Policy & Public Service, OFMDFM

    • Mr John McGrath, Deputy Secretary, Urban Regeneration & Community Development Group, DSD

    • Professor Terri Scott, Director Invest Northern Ireland

    • Professor Gerry McKenna, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ulster

    • Mr Tony McGurk, Chief Executive, Derry City Council

    • Mr Richard Sterling, Managing Director of Coolkeeragh Group Ltd

    • Mr Garvan O’Doherty, Company Director

    • Ms Laura Magahy, Managing Director of Magahy & Co

    • Professor Eddie Friel, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow Tourist Board

    • Chief Executive of Ilex URC Ltd (on appointment)

  2. Dr Alan McClure was appointed Chair-designate of the company in April this year - press release dated 27 March.

  3. In May 2002 the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the then First Minister and Deputy First Minister announced the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI). It is an innovative initiative designed to address Northern Ireland’s infrastructure deficit. RRI includes a number of related strands including the transfer of six security and military sites free of charge to serve as a means of economic and social regeneration. One of the sites to transfer is Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry. The Ebrington site which is located on the Waterside area at St Columb’s Road is 26 acres and is still being used by the Army which is due to vacate the site in December 2003.

  4. Further Information on the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative can be accessed on the OFMDFM website at www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/rri

  5. For further information contact OFMDFM Press Office, tel. 028 9037 8116 or mobile 07850 187134

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