Council calls on UK Government to reverse its decision to pause Growth Deal funding immediately

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has called on the UK Government to reverse its decision to ‘pause’ £252m funding previously committed to the Mid South West (MSW) Region Growth Deal, pending the outcome of the UK Government’s Spending Review, with immediate effect.

Speaking at a Special Council Meeting to discuss the matter on Monday 23 September 2024, Members from across the political groupings stated that the decision to pause the funding previously committed to support the economic development of the region through a number of transformational projects was unacceptable and an attack on rural communities.

The funding from the Growth Deal would have enabled the progression of a number of key projects in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area including the A4 Enniskillen Southern Bypass, the Cuilcagh Lakelands Landscape project including the redevelopment of the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre, and the Ulster American Folk Park. It had also been hoped to fund projects to facilitate the industrial decarbonisation of the local area and enable local companies to move away from the use of fossil fuels to low-carbon alternatives such as hydrogen and electrification. All these projects are subject to approval from the NI Executive and UK Government.

Members were informed that these projects – representing an investment of approximately £100m in the district – are now at risk and, given the gravity of the situation, a Mid South West delegation, including the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, met with NI Executive Ministers and officials at Stormont on Monday 23 September to press the need for the pause to be lifted.

Members highlighted that significant time and resource has been invested by the Council and its Mid South West partners to develop project proposals designed to boost economic growth and prosperity across the Mid South West region to enable the Heads of Terms Agreement to be signed in October, all of which is now in jeopardy.

Members stressed that the Council will do everything in its power to secure the future of the previously committed funding and it was agreed that the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister, urging them to reverse the decision to pause funding for all City and Growth Deal projects and reinstate them immediately. It was also agreed that the Council writes to the Taoiseach asking him to intervene with the UK Government on behalf of the Mid South West Growth Deal area; explores options for Irish Government funding for the affected projects and sends a delegation to meet the Prime Minister to stress the importance of the City and Growth Deals to the local economy.

Speaking after the Special Council Meeting, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, said:

“The decision to pause the funding of the Mid South West Region Growth Deal will have a significant adverse impact on this rural region.

Through the delivery of a range of projects, the Growth Deals are designed to develop a more sustainable, vibrant and resilient economy by harnessing additional investment, creating good jobs locally and accelerating inclusive economic growth.  It is vital that we continue to work collectively to seek the reinstatement of the Mid South West Region Growth Deal to ensure long term improvements for the region to benefit our local communities and businesses.”