Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 28
We are encouraged by the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal under this funding...
Recommendation
We are encouraged by the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal under this funding scheme. However, the Government must now set out how it plans to provide ongoing support, including day to day resourcing, to current and future projects. We also ask the Government to set out what plans it has to work with local stakeholders and facilitate longer-term strategic investment to account for the potential periodic non-functioning of the Northern Ireland Executive.
Government Response Summary
The Government is continuing to provide support to ensure the successful delivery of all four Northern Ireland City and Growth Deals, including regular discussions with the Deals and ongoing engagement through governance structures such as the City and Growth Deal Delivery Board. It will explore how to increase engagement with local stakeholders.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The UK Government, together with the Northern Ireland Executive Departments, is continuing to provide support to ensure the successful delivery of all four Northern Ireland City and Growth Deals. This includes regular discussions with the Deals and ongoing engagement through governance structures such as the City and Growth Deal Delivery Board. The Government notes the request for increased engagement with local stakeholders and will explore how this can be best achieved. The City and Growth Deals are designed to be locally led, with regional Deal partners identifying projects which address the needs and opportunities within their localities. It is important to note that the City and Growth Deal investment packages, which were agreed with all four NI Deals, are capital-only funding. Day-to-day resourcing pressures for projects within the Deal are for local Deal partners to consider and manage as appropriate. The UK Government’s £617 million investment in City and Growth deals presents a historic opportunity to generate innovation and growth across Northern Ireland. While the Government will continue to work with partners across Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland civil service to make progress, it is essential that a functioning Executive is in place to help drive forward delivery of these deals. The people of Northern Ireland deserve to see the benefits of this transformative investment without delay.