Sligo 2030
Development stages of the LECP Sligo 2030 – One Voice One Vision
Notification of Approval of the Local Economic & Community Plan for Sligo (LECP) – Sligo 2030 One Voice One Vision following Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) & Appropriate Assessment (AA)
The draft Local Economic & Community Plan for Sligo, incorporating the Implementation Plan (Action Plan) has been approved by the Council at meeting held on 3rd April 2023.
Preparation of the draft Plan was undertaken by Sligo Co Council with assistance from Consultants KPMG-FA. It has been endorsed by the LCDC on 27th October 2022, and by the SPC for Planning, Community & Economic development, Arts & Culture on 9th November 2022. It has been agreed by the Sligo Economic Forum on 8th November 2022. It has been agreed by the Municipal Districts at their meetings held on 14 Nov 2022 (Ballymote Tubbercurry), 28 Nov 2022 (Sligo Drumcliffe) and 23 Jan 2023 (Borough of Sligo).
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) & Appropriate Assessment (AA) process has been carried out, and the Screening Reports and Determinations for each are attached herewith. It is concluded that the LECP to be adopted will not give rise to any effects on the ecological integrity of any European Site, alone or in combination with any other plans, programmes, and projects etc. Consequently, Stage Two AA (including the preparation of a Natura Impact Statement) is not required. Further it is determined that SEA is not required for the LECP to be adopted.
The process of preparation and adoption of the LECP has been carried out in accordance with the updated Local Economic & Community Plan Guidelines, Nov 2021 (and previous version thereof June 2015).
The Draft LECP has been developed in a collaborative manner through engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including the community, business and economic sectors, state agencies and education providers. The reason for this engagement, in conjunction with the socio-economic analysis, is to take on board broad input to identify priorities and needs for Sligo that can be addressed through the high-level goals, objectives and actions while aligning to local, regional, national, and relevant EU policies.
Context of Sligo 2030 One Voice One Vision
Sligo County Council, working in partnership with the Local Community Development Committee, the Strategic Policy Committee for Planning Community & Economic Development and the Sligo Economic Forum, is developing an overarching Strategic Framework to guide the development of all of County Sligo over the next 8 to 10 years. Entitled Sligo 2030 One Voice One Vision, this framework will act as an integrated multi-sectoral ‘Local Economic & Community Plan’, integrating Economic, Social, Community and Spatial Planning for all of Sligo based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals with an ambition for a smart and green Sligo.
Objective of Sligo 2030
Sligo 2030 will be an innovative, ambitious, and transformational plan for both City and County, that will align with local, regional, national, and international policy and strategy. Sligo County Council, acknowledging Sligo’s unique location, its important economic status as a Regional Growth Centre, and the needs of its people, have set about creating a transformational plan to develop Sligo over the next 10 years. Sligo 2030 will be guided by the principles of being smart, green, sustainable, and inclusive.
The plan will focus on four key areas of ambition:
- Growing Sligo into its role as a Regional Growth Centre
- Positioning Sligo to the forefront of smart digital transformation
- Positioning Sligo as an exemplar region in climate action
- Improving the living conditions and health of the people of Sligo
It is envisaged that by 2030, Sligo and its people will be more prosperous, have more job opportunities, be leaders in smart digital transformation and climate action, and be known as a place for an exemplary quality of life where others want to live, work, invest and visit.
Socio-Economic Statement, High Level Goals and Vision
Informed by the findings of the consultation process, the Socio-Economic Statement High Level Goals and Vision outlines the policy context for the Sligo 2030 plan, a full socio-economic profile, an overview of the consultation process, a SCOT analysis, and a needs analysis covering both Sligo County and Town. It also includes the vision and high-level goals for Sligo to 2030.
The process to date has involved extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement to ensure citizen awareness and input, and ensure collaborative working with agencies, businesses, and educational institutions.
The Socio-Economic Statement document has been agreed by the LCDC, the SPC, and the Sligo Economic Forum. It has also been adopted by all three Municipal Districts.
Taking into account the completed analysis, the findings from the consultation process and the identified needs, the document outlines areas of ambition for the Sligo 2030 plan. The information and findings from this document, including the SCOT analysis and the key identified needs, will now be used to further develop the new Sligo 2030 One Voice One Vision strategic framework.
The next stage in the development of the new Sligo 2030 plan will see further development and refinement through the drafting of objectives and actions to be agree with the agencies delivering then and will be timebound and measurable. Once the actions have been agreed, the process will proceed to the development of the final One Voice One Vision strategic framework, with implementation plan, for adoption by the LCDC, SPC and full Council.
