As you may be aware, local authorities in Northern Ireland have been involved for some time in the marketing of tourism through Northern Ireland Tourist Board led marketing consortium. However, in the field of economic development, local authorities in Northern Ireland have only had direct powers since 1992. Over this period the level of expenditure has been capped to a maximum of 5p on the local rate.

  Given the high costs involved in attracting inward investment and the limited funds available, Ballymena Borough Council has focused its economic development efforts on local actions. During this period, Council has participated in a number of central government led initiatives including the Washington Conference, the Eleven Cities Tour and in addition Council has established overseas links through its participation in programmes such as the Sister Cities initiative. As part of Ballymena Borough Council's involvement in these initiatives a number of promotional documents have been developed.

  As part of its preparation for the development of its Economic Development Strategy 2000-2006, Ballymena Borough Council have commissioned DTZ Pieda Consulting to develop a socio-economic analysis of the area. The draft report received on 3 February 2000 includes comment on the level of investment in the Borough for the period 1993 to 1998 and this is detailed below:

—  In the period 1993 to 1998 the Industrial Development Board (IDB) assisted 23 projects in Ballymena;

—  Ballymena has received a relatively high amount of financial assistance, £42.5 million, although this was primarily in the early part of the period;

—  The number of IDB jobs (new and safeguarded) shows that in 1998 1.6 per cent of the workforce in Ballymena represented IDB jobs.

  The above figures would suggest that Ballymena Borough Council has received equitable benefit from central government based on the level of investment given the area's population. However, our Consultants have indicated that the bulk of the investment was received in the early part of the period and that the number of potential inward investors visiting the area has reduced considerably in recent years. The Consultants suggest that this may be due to two factors:

1.  The impact of TSN Policy;

2.  The area being viewed as mature by the IDB with regard to inward investment.

  Given these factors Ballymena Borough Council will develop an Inward Investment Strategy in collaboration with other local authorities in the North East Region through the CORE organisation. This strategy will be market led and focus on industry sectors with real potential.

25 February 2000