SIB responds to our questions on ‘culture’ row

Among the documents were a number in which the CEO, Shona McCarthy, sought to ascertain what were the briefs of Olly Watts and John Farquhar Smith, who were appointed by SIB and who arrived at the company’s offices and spoke to staff. She was on leave at the time.

We asked SIB if it wished to comment in the documents, telling it: “The documents mention Olly Watts and John Farquhar Smith and it is apparent that these people were appointed to roles without the knowledge of the CEO of CC...There is documentation that suggests Shona McCarthy made repeated efforts to find out what their brief was etc. Does SIB find this acceptable practise, to leave the CEO of the Culture Company ‘out of the loop’?

“There is also a claim that a new structure identified by Dermot McLaughlin and Olly Watts ‘negates the outreach and educational component’ and negates the ‘entire side of the programme that is about social inclusion’. Was this structure adopted and does the CC still believe the social inclusion side of the programme has been impacted?

“Shona McCarthy also says at one point that it’s ‘entirely inappropriate’ for an events company to set out a new structure for the CC.

“Does SIB feel it handled this situation well, in placing DMcL (Dermot McLaughlin), Olly Watts and John Farquhar Smith (Flux) in positions where they appeared to have an adverse impact on CC morale etc? And in placing people in positions without consultation with the CEO of CC? Or does it reject the allegations made by Ms McCarthy?”

SIB responded: “In any fast moving, high profile and complex project of this kind, there will be differences of opinion as to the best way forward. The emails released do not provide the complete picture of discussions that were supplemented by phone calls and other meetings.

“Any disagreements that arose from time to time have been quickly settled through discussion and debate.

“The exceptional success of all aspects of the City of Culture programme demonstrates that such issues were worked through and resolved.

Key Points:

(1) In early September 2012, SIB consulted the CEO of Culture Company, as one of a group of senior stakeholders, on the detailed description of the Council role subsequently taken up by Dermot McLaughlin.

The CEO of Culture Company signalled her agreement of the need for that role, which was centred on strengthening project management of the City of Culture project as a whole.

Following inaccurate and premature reporting of Dermot’s appointment in the Dublin press at the end of October 2012, the CEO of Culture Company – while welcoming his appointment – asked SIB for further clarification of his role.

SIB provided this, and suggested that the brief could be used to communicate the content and purpose of his work internally within Culture Company.

(2) Mr Watts and Mr Farquhar Smith were employed by SIB for a short period to complete a specific piece of work on behalf of Derry City Council.

The purpose of their assignment was to determine quickly what additional events-planning resources were required by the Council.

SIB believes that Mr Watts and Mr Farquhar Smith made this clear to the Culture Company staff whom they met.

Mr Watts and Mr Farquhar Smith were later employed directly by Derry City Council on other work, following a separate procurement.

(4) Questions relating to the outreach, educational programme and social inclusion aspect of the programme should be directed to Derry City Council.”

Given the ill-fated decision to bring Dermot McLaughlin in as Project Director, and the appointments of Olly Watts and John Farquhar Smith by SIB, which is accountable to OFMDFM, the Sentinel asked OFMDFM: “The fact that serious questions are being raised about SIB’s decisions and the way this whole project has been managed, must also give rise to concerns at Stormont. Does OFMDFM not accept that unless the root causes of these problems are identified, and properly managed, we run a serious risk of letting the problem spill over into the legacy issue?”

An OFMDFM spokesperson said: “The Strategic Investment Board (SIB) responded to requests from the Senior Responsible Owner of the City of Culture programme, namely Derry City Council, to provide project management support to ensure the programme would be a success. OFMDFM approved the process to recruit support and any decisions made about the outworkings of advice given rests with Derry City Council. Every effort must now be made so there is a significant legacy from the City of Culture year and OFMDFM remains committed to work collaboratively with all partners for the benefit of everyone in the north west.”

The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure says it intends to use the “skills and capacity” developed during the UK City of Culture year to ensure a proper Legacy is developed, A statement said: “There is no doubting the success that the City of Culture year has been to date. The quality of the programme has put Derry on the map and boosted business and tourism. The remaining events such as the Turner Exhibition, Lumiere and the Relief of Derry are not to be missed and remind us of the fantastic success the entire year has been. DCAL will continue to lead on strategic cultural development within Derry in the future. The Minister and Departmental officials are currently engaged in legacy planning for the City of Culture after 2013. The priority is to finalise plans to capitalise on the momentum of the City of Culture year through strategic development and maximising skills and capacity developed during 2013. A long term vision is key to ensuring that Derry’s inequalities are reversed in the coming years.”