City Council and British Council in link-up to sell Belfast

BELFAST City Council and the British Council have struck a deal to increase the city’s international ambition and reputation.

The agreement was signed by City Hall chief Suzanne Wylie and the British Council’s Jonathan Stewart.

The memorandum of understanding will allow both to explore partnership and collaboration opportunities over the next five years focusing on arts, education and civic society.

It will include an online music platform for Belfast — ‘Mix the City’, which will launch next year.

Ms Wylie said: “Belfast City Council is delighted to sign this memorandum of understanding with the British Council.

“It marks another step forward in our aims for the Belfast Agenda, our long-term development plan for the city.

“The Belfast Agenda aims to increase working in partnership with organisations such as the British Council and ensure that together we make best use of our resources to improve life for all working, living or visiting Belfast.

The memorandum of understanding will help us deliver an integrated cultural and arts strategy for Belfast, increasing access to arts and heritage and helping to strengthen this important sector.”

It follows Belfast’s successful appointment as a so-called ‘Resilient City’, joining 100 others throughout the world in an initiative pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation in the USA.

Mr Stewart said: “We are very excited for this new partnership with Belfast City Council.

“Our new global strategy aims to focus on cities, connecting and bringing coherence to the work we already do with institutions and organisations working in this area.”