Cross Border Councils Prioritise a New Action Plan For New Development Projects
Newry Mourne and Down District Council and Louth County Council held their most recent meeting of the Strategic Alliance on 11 November 2021.
The meeting was held in the Thomas Davis Community Hub, Newry – a new state-of-the-art facility recently opened in September.
The Strategic Alliance, which was formed out of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 between the two Councils, meets on a regular basis to monitor and discuss a range of development projects and issues affecting both regions.
Its Action Plan supports and promotes the economic development and competitiveness of both areas and the neighbouring councils have recently been collaborating on a number of joint campaigns, including addressing illegal dumping and littering and joint tourism promotion.
At its November meeting, the Alliance convened through the medium of a socially distanced workshop. Members discussed high priority goals that will be part of a new Action Plan for the group to work on achieving in the coming months and years. Topics raised as needing focus included climate change and the environment, regeneration of the economy and social development, health and wellbeing.
At the meeting joint chairs Councillor John Sheridan and Councillor Jarlath Tinnelly welcomed the opportunity to meet in person. Joint Chairperson Councillor Tinnelly said: “The workshop today was extremely useful for members to at last be able to meet in person.
“We held meaningful and detailed discussions on the issues which need addressed most and prioritised those that can be realistically achieved to provide the most reward for the citizens across both districts.”
Councillor John Sheridan said: “Both Councils are continuing to collaborate and plan joint ventures. The workshop today enabled members to explore potential future projects in 2022 and beyond with a revised Action Plan.”
