Derry MattersT á T á b h a c h T a c h l e D o i r e

Spring 2015

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insiDe

Foyle MP Mark Durkan on his ‘More Power to Derry’ campaign

Why it’s important to have an SDlP MP for Foyle

Pat ramsey Mla on the challenge of job creation

Mark h Durkan Mla on his priorities as environment Minister

colum eastwood Mla calls for full delivery of the one Plan

Mayor brenda Stevenson’s term of office in pictures

on the groundwith your local SDlP councillors

SDlP Youth on their hopes for Derry

Foyle Newsletter

compeTiTion

2 People First

more poWer To Derry

There is frustration in Derry that all the good work which went into firming up the ‘one Plan’ has not been translated into delivery on the priorities from various government departments. The time has come to look for a new delivery vehicle that can work for the North West and also work for our regional government.

The ‘City Deal’ concept which i have been championing could offer that model. City Deals have become a working way for devolving different delivery powers to cities (large and small) and city regions in England. Different combinations of assets, capacity, intervention powers and investments are transferred to cities/regions so they can drive more of their own growth with less control from, and dependence on, central government. There is also one in glasgow involving the Scottish devolved government, the UK Treasury and glasgow partners. it is estimated that it will help create 28,000 jobs there over the next two decades and underpin strategic development. indeed another one is being lined up in Scotland for Aberdeen.

So even with all the concentration on ‘devo-max’ for Scotland, people there also want devo-max for their cities too.

The UK government, including the Chancellor, have confirmed to me that they would do a City Deal here if the northern ireland Executive brings forward a proposal. They said the same since 2010 about an Enterprise Zone here but Executive ministers dismissed that idea only to then write to george Osborne for an Enterprise Zone for Coleraine last year! We cannot afford to lose out on the more dynamic City Deal concept, which could also include an enterprise zone and opportunities to drive expansion at Magee.

SDLp colleagues in the Assembly have been finding Executive ministers lukewarm about a City Deal saying that the devolution to Stormont is enough here. it is not true that it would need a whole new vision plan and long consultation, because it would really be about enabling delivery of what was agreed for the One plan. Since government are finding it hard to deliver more priority to Derry they could help themselves and the whole north West by working for “more power to Derry” in the north’s first City Deal.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan sets out his vision for a ‘City Deal’ to drive economic growth in Derry.

Derry Matters 3

consisTenT sDLp supporT for magee expansion

Westminster still has a significant influence on the day-to-day lives of people in Derry. That’s why Derry needs an MP who goes there to make a substantial impact for our people. Mark Durkan does precisely that. More than just a hard-working MP, Mark is an effective and respected voice for Derry in Parliament. That was evident when he spoke so powerfully for the families on the Saville Report in response to David Cameron. Had Mark Durkan not been MP for Foyle, the only Derry accent in Parliament that day would have been Gregory Campbell’s.

Described recently as ‘…the leading Irish international human rights parliamentarian of

his generation’, Mark Durkan is a passionate advocate for ideals cherished in our city. Whether defending the welfare rights of vulnerable citizens here or the human rights of vulnerable people elsewhere, Mark’s is a voice for human rights, the environment, global justice and welfare. Mark Durkan has been dedicated to delivering for Derry’s best interests not just as Foyle MP over the last decade, but side by side with John Hume and others in the SDLP over many challenging years.

After helping to negotiate and draft the Good Friday Agreement, in a couple of years of Ministerial Office he showed how to frame budgets, create new funds and secure assets like Ebrington and Fort George to enable more delivery and opportunity for Derry. He has credibility in challenging the inertia and indifference which is holding us back and in championing new ideas like his ‘More Power to Derry’ campaign for a ‘City Deal’.

We believe Mark Durkan is Derry’s trusted voice and your strongest choice. We hope he will be worthy of your support on Thursday 7 May.

• Ensured, against resistence, that Old Foyle College (Lawrence Hill) and Aberfoyle sites were vested by Derry City Council as landbank.

• Lobbied for government and EU funding and other support for build, facilities and course expansion.

• Budgeted in Finance and DEL Ministries for development at Magee and nWrC, unlike the current government term. no bids for Magee then were turned down or divested to other sites.

• Instigated the Integrated Development Fund, which was the key funder for Centre for Excellence in intelligence Systems (robotics Centre).

• Secured Ebrington site transfer and kept Fort george for strategic development, and put university development among the options for both sites, which was not supported by others in subsequent plans.

The SDlP is strong on the one Plan priority of expansion at Magee. Job creation and development at Fort George and ebrington were included, however Magee was omitted.

We remain fully committed to the goal of 10,000 full-time equivalent student places by 2020, and will continue to challenge the executive to deliver on its promises.

The SDlP believes that a thriving university is vital for Derry. We have consistently supported the expansion of Magee and will do so until we have a university that meets our city’s needs. We:

Why Derry neeDs a sTrong, acTive sDLp mp

as environment Minister i have used my position to promote Derry and to encourage investment in the city.

i have refocused efforts on addressing infrastructural

deficiencies, unemployment and under-investment through the north West Sub group. This requires real buy-in from all departments, not empty promises.

By establishing a regional DOE Headquarters in Ebrington i brought jobs and encouraged other Executive Ministers to follow my lead. Even a small commitment from each department to decentralise would vastly improve our economic situation and show investors there is life over the glenshane pass.

My commitment to putting people first is evident having funded community and school projects via the Challenge Fund. i have issued over 500 planning permissions per year in Derry, including the Brandywell Stadium,

new hotels, a teaching block at Magee and essential social housing projects. These decisions bring economic benefits in terms of construction, employment, business and tourism as well as much needed homes.

i have taken hard political decisions including voting down an inadequate and invidious budget. While the SDLp proposed viable alternatives, others put their parties’ needs ahead of the needs of people. The same was evident as we tried to negotiate a fairer deal on welfare - seeking protections for workers and vulnerable groups.

We have been and always will be conscientious and consistent in putting people first. As your MLA i will always put you and Derry first.

resolving our economic woes demands job creation.

During my term i have ensured the Assembly does all it can to create local employment opportunities, be

that launch job creation projects or fight for additional funding from the Department of Employment and Learning.

Tackling joblessness and deprivation demands leadership. i’ve displayed such leadership as often as i have demanded it from the Executive.

There are huge economic transformation opportunities available if all levers available to government are combined with the efforts of the business, community and voluntary sectors and our workforce. i truly believe this is the way forward.

i sought and secured Executive agreement and funding for a project on local economic inactivity. ‘Enabling Success’ brings together Derry City Council, north West

regional College, the Western Trust, job brokers, employers and employees.

The Ministers for Department of Employment and Learning and Enterprise Trade and investment confirmed a “joint substantive bid to the Executive” for approval for the programme.

Derry requires more, but this welcome, indeed vital development is a result: Addressing as it will, the needs of those who found themselves out of employment and wish to return to the workforce.

This is how we will create the Derry we all wish to live and work in. With your continuing support, i will continue to work to make Derry work.

4 People First

Pat ramsey MLa

Mark H Durkan MLa

Job creation our number one priority - ramsey

Putting people first is the sDLP way - Durkan

Derry Matters 5

Join sDLP Youth – Help us build the better DerryCaoimhe McCallion from the Derry branch of SDLP Youth urges local young people to get involved in shaping their city’s future with the SDLP. SDLP Youth is open to anyone aged 16 – 30. We welcome everyone who is interested in joining. We work closely with all our local councillors, MLAs and Mark Durkan MP to do what we can for our local areas in the spirit of true social democracy. We are highly active in student politics, helping drive the campaign for the expansion of Magee.

We support our elected representatives in a number of ways. In recent months we have helped with leaflet drops and doorstep canvasses across the city. We respond to calls for assistance from the community – we were proud to carry out street gritting to help elderly residents during the recent bad weather and collected litter from residents’ laneways. We regularly raise money for local charities and also take part in many community events.

Our goal is simple: we want to help build a better Derry. If you are interested in helping us deliver that feel free to get in touch with us using the links or QR code below.

facebook.com/SDLPYDerry twitter.com/JoinSDLPYDerrysdlpyouth_derry@hotmail.co.uk

Cllr. Martin reilly

Cllr. shauna Cusack

Cllr. Gerard Diver

reillY caMPaiGNiNG For liGhTS aT caW roUNDaboUT

recently Transport ni. have carried out traffic surveys on the approach routes to Caw roundabout to determine solutions to improve safety. We feel that a traffic system similar to that on the other end of the Foyle Bridge is required. We will continue in our efforts to secure the commitment - and the resources - for this work.

WaTerSiDe TraFFic coNGeSTioN NeeDS SolUTioN - DiVer

Local residents and business owners have raised concerns about congestion and lack of access, especially at peak times. Transport ni have carried out an assessment of the area and have assured me that they are putting measures in place to improve upon the current situation. Motorists who are not residents but park in the area need to be mindful of the needs of local residents and businesses.

leT’S FUlFil DerrY’S ToUriSM PoTeNTial - cUSacK

Derry is beautiful. We should all be proud of our city and work together to maintain our streets as clean, healthy and safe environments - free of anti-social behaviour. This is why the issues of fly tipping, fouling, littering and graffiti are of primary concern to me. i will continue to campaign passionately for their eradication so Derry can reach its potential.

6 People First

BrenDa sTevenson’s ‘unforgeTTaBLe’ Term as mayor

Delivering on the one Plan will provide the people of Derry with tools to transform our city economically and socially.

Derry has the lowest economic activity in the north and highest percentage of Job Seeker’s Allowance claimants across ireland or Britain. power to transform this lies in the full implementation of the One plan with immediate priority placed on Magee expansion.

it is vital to our economic prosperity that pledges are made and kept by the Executive on expanding our university campus, upgrading the A5 and A6, providing a fit-for-purpose rail service and fast-tracking development at Fort george and Ebrington.

The One plan was shockingly omitted from the draft programme for government. At the eleventh hour it appeared

in the revised document but with no specific commitment on delivery. We now need a cast iron commitment to fund the implementation of all key aspects of the plan.

Several years ago the SDLp proposed the creation of a ministerial task force to address Derry’s economic stagnation. We’re glad an Executive sub-group has finally been established. The research on what’s needed has been completed already - it’s all in the One plan. All that remains for the sub-group is to drive its implementation, starting with the expansion of Magee.

Derry has shown with the One plan that it’s a city with great ambition. Stormont must now commit, Derry will do the rest.

Colum eastwood MLa

Delivering the One Plan key for Derry’s future - eastwood

Derry Matters 7

Cllr. Jim McKeever

Cllr. John Boyle

Cllr. Gus Hastings

boYle FocUSeS oN roaD SaFeTY The SDLP is working for safer roads. Protecting children, the elderly and other vulnerable pedestrians is vital. I am to the fore in ensuring that traffic is adequately managed. Safer routes to schools continue to be a major concern for parents and teachers. I am working for the introduction of appropriate traffic calming and other safety measures with reduced speed limits to encourage better and more considerate driving standards.

beTTer Deal NeeDeD For FarMiNG FaMilieS - McKeeVer I believe our rural communities deserve greater support. I am working in particular to address the variation in cattle prices between Britain and here in Northern Ireland, which is approximately £300 per head. We need innovative approaches to improve farmers’ incomes and to preserve the way of life of farming families and rural communities.

cUlMore coMMUNiTY FaciliTieS ToPS DobbiNS’ aGeNDa Our children, youth and older people need better facilities. Working with the Council, the Parish Council is consulting to address that. While the land is there – kindly donated by the Diocese – and plans have been drawn up, progress is slow, particularly on drawing down funding. I will endeavour to keep the pressure on the statutory bodies to provide these much needed facilities.

haSTiNGS WaNTS eFFicieNcY iN PlaNNiNG i receive many calls about planning applications in the rural area. people are concerned about rural housing, farm diversification and protection of our areas of natural beauty. i look forward to planning powers being transferred to the local council where i can voice the concerns of rural communities directly into the planning process.

TierNeY PreSSiNG caSe oN Social hoUSiNG Social housing is a key issue in the Ballyarnett area with over 1000 families on the waiting list. The SDLp has been instrumental in driving change with Minister Durkan recently approving over 1,400 houses at Skeoge. While this is encouraging more needs to be done. new build programmes must be accelerated to reduce the waiting list and create jobs in the construction sector.

Cllr. angela Dobbins

Cllr. Brian tierney

John boyle - Foyleside 07748 192198 j.boyle@online.ie @johnboylesdlp John Boyle

Shauna cusack - Foyleside 07919 962169 shauna.cusack@derrycity

andstrabanedistrict.com Cllr Shauna Cusack

Gerard Diver - Waterside 07812217169 gerarddiver@hotmail.com

angela Dobbins - ballyarnett 07709 147751 angela.dobbins@hotmail.com @claddaghheart

Gus hastings - Faughan 07596 238132 gus.hastings@derrycity andstrabanedistrict.com

Jim McKeever - Faughan 07812 203362 jim.mckeever@ymail.com Jim McKeever

Martin reilly - Waterside 028 7136 0700 m.reilly@sdlp.ie @martinhello SDLP Waterside

brian Tierney - ballyarnett 07731 309734 brian.tierney@derrycity

andstrabanedistrict.com @tierney091 Cllr Brian Tierney

8 People First

conTacT your sDLp mp

conTacT your sDLp mLas

conTacT your sDLp counciLLors

Mark h Durkan Mla141h Strand RoadDerryBT48 7PB

028 7136 5516 07973 363702 mhdurkan@sdlp.ie mark.durkan.1 @markhdurkan www.markhdurkan.com

colum eastwood MlaNorthside Village CentreGlengalliagh RoadDerryBT48 8NN

028 7135 0045 colum.eastwood@sdlp.ie @columeastwood Colum Eastwood www.columeastwood.org

Pat ramsey MlaEmbassy Building3 Strand RoadDerry BT48 7BH

028 7136 1444 p.ramsey@sdlp.ie @Patramseymla Pat Ramsey

To Join The sDLp

TexT or caLL07475 368305

Mark Durkan MP

028 7136 0700 m.durkan@sdlp.ie

@markdurkan www.markdurkan.net

Constituency Office, 23 Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6pr

regisTer To voTe To be eligible to vote on

7 May you need to be on the electoral register

by 20 April.

appLy for a posTaL/proxy voTe

if you’ll be away from home or unable to make it out to vote on 7 May – through

work, study, planned holidays or ill health – you can apply for a postal or proxy vote by 16 April.

eLecToraL iD carDYou also need photographic iD to vote. One option is an electoral iD card. You can apply for this by 24 April.

For help with any of these contact us on

07475 368305 or the electoral office on

0800 4320712.

your voTe is your voice make sure

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You can download an irish language version of this leaflet at www.markdurkan.net is féidir leagan Ghaeilge a íoslódáil ag www.markdurkan.net