SPC 3 - Minutes

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 Planning, Community & Economic Development, Arts & Culture Meeting held on Wednesday 28th June 2023 at 11a.m. Venue: Council Chamber, City Hall and Virtually via Microsoft Teams


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney (Cathaoirleach on behalf of Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady).
  • Councillor Tom Fox
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons
  • Councillor Thomas Healy

 

REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Aoife O’Toole, PPN Community & Voluntary Sector Seat (Virtually)
  • Emer Knowles, PPN Environment Seat

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady, Cathaoirleach
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry
  • Aidan Doyle, Business Pillar
  • Karen O’Hara, Trade Union Pillar

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer
  • Ruth Hanniffy, Biodiversity Officer
  • Ultan McNasser, Executive Librarian
  • Siobhán Gillen, Administrative Officer

 

Introduction

Cathaoirleach Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady requested Councillor Gerard Mullaney to Chair the meeting in her absence. Councillor Gerard Mullaney welcomed all in attendance. Apologies were noted.

Emer Knowles, PPN Environment Representative and Ruth Hanniffy, recently appointed Biodiversity Officer to Sligo County Council were both welcomed to the meeting.

 

1. Confirmation of Minutes

The minutes of meeting held on 30th March 2023 were adopted by Councillor Tom Fox. Due to the absence of Members who were in attendance at the previous meeting, it was noted that the Minutes are to be Seconded by an attending Member. In this regard, this item has been deferred until the Q3 Meeting.

 

2. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

3. To consider the Draft County Sligo Heritage and Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030 (Reports circulated):

S. Ryan, Heritage Officer presented the previously circulated report and draft strategy. The context of the new strategy was highlighted, the aim of the County Sligo Heritage Forum, four Strategic Themes to facilitate structured heritage development over the next eight years, key priorities, the link which the strategy will have to the County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan, the resourcing of the strategy and how the strategy will be implemented.

Comments from Members:

  • The recent vote in EU Parliament regarding biodiversity was noted and how Sligo adjusts to future changes in this
  • Welcomed the inclusion of a framework to pave the way for this work and the importance of community involvement.

Approval was sought from the Members of SPC3 prior to its presentation for consideration at the next ordinary meeting (July 2023) in advance of a further phase of public consultation on the draft strategy (4 weeks: 12th July – 9th August 2023).

Proposed by: Councillor Tom Fox
Seconded by: Councillor Arthur Gibbons

 

4. To note Sligo Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027 (Report circulated):

D. Clarke, Director of Services updated the Members on the previously circulated report, in the absence of D. Tinney, County Librarian.

Priorities for the Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027 are: Creative Youth, Creative Communities, Creative Industries, Creative Health & Wellbeing and Creative Climate Action and Sustainability.

The key strategic priorities for Sligo County Council was highlighted and discussed i.e. Creative Place; Creative Economy; Creative Communities; Climate, Biodiversity and Environment; and Creative Youth. It was noted that the Culture and Creativity Team, led by Donal Tinney, County Librarian, will guide and oversee the implementation of the new strategy and include representation from various sections of SCC i.e. Libraries, Arts, Community & Economic Development, LEO, Heritage Office, Energy Efficiency and Climate Action, Cranmore Regeneration Project, IS Projects and Town Regeneration.

The work completed to date was acknowledged by the Members and the importance of this work for young people was emphasized.

 

5. Report on Review of the Contributions to the Arts Grant Scheme (Report circulated):

D. Clarke, Director of Services updated the Members on the previously circulated report. The last review of the Arts grants took place in 2015 resulting in the adoption of a funding policy in 2016. A mid-term review of the Arts Plan 2020-2025 is currently underway. Items highlighted from the report included the current budget allocation and the proposed new grants scheme structure i.e., to create four funding blocks as follows:

Block 1: Arts Infrastructure (A: Event Spaces and B: Organisations and Work Spaces)
Block 2: Arts Festivals and Events
Block 3: Create New Scheme: Commercial and Tourism and Community related festivals
Block 4: Pilot Bursaries for amateur drama groups

All of the work completed to date on this area was acknowledged and commended. It was suggested to also utilise facilities which are nearing completion at the ATU. The importance of appointing a Festival & Events Manager was highlighted, to ensure fair distribution and value for money as well as inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in the county.

The review of the Contributions to the Arts Grant Scheme was:

Proposed by: Councillor Arthur Gibbons
Seconded by: Councillor Tom Fox

 

6. Report on Age Friendly Libraries (Report circulated):

U. McNasser, Executive Librarian updated the Members on the previously circulated report. Targeted measures have been identified to improve service delivery to older people. Sligo Libraries marketing and social media team devised and recorded a promotional video showcasing patrons as advocates for the services they enjoy in Sligo Libraries. The video will be shown at Active Age groups, Community Centres, assisted living centres, etc, in an effort to promote and highlight the range of free services that can be accessed in public libraries which encourages older people both to return to libraries (post covid) and to avail of the service for the first time. This promotion is part of Sligo Libraries Age Friendly Libraries initiative and includes logos for Sligo County Council’s Age Friendly and Healthy Sligo programmes.

The video was played for the meeting. The work associated with this initiative was welcomed and acknowledged. It was also suggested that consideration could also be given to promote this video at Day Care Centres and community hubs.

 

7. Report on Cruinniú na nÓg 2023 (Report and brochure circulated):

U. McNasser, Executive Librarian updated the Members on the previously circulated report and brochure. Cruinniú na nÓg was held on Saturday 10th June 2023, a National Day of Creativity for children and young people supported by the Creative Ireland Youth Programme. Various workshops were held in the weeks leading up to the National event i.e., stained glass craft, creative writing and robotics, ukelele lessons, composition and recording workshops with teenagers, interactive event attended by 240 primary school children and their teachers, nature art workshop and music/stories at the Hawks well theatre.

The video was played for the meeting. The work associated with this initiative and the small budget available for delivery of this work programme was commended and acknowledged. It was outlined that this initiative has been the most successful of the Creative Ireland Programme to date.

 

8. Update on Tubbercurry Town Centre First Project (Report circulated):

D. Clarke, Director of Services updated the Members on the previously circulated report, in the absence of B. Flynn, Town Regeneration Officer. The first public engagement was held on 24thMay 2023 and a Drop in event held in Teach Laighne on 25th May 2023. Stage 1 of 5 stage process is ongoing i.e., public engagement, gathering baseline data and establishing a Town Centre Team – to be completed by 6th July 2023. Stages 2 (Defining the Place) and Stage 3 (Public & Stakeholder Engagement on the Draft Plan) to run during July and August 2023.

Tubbercurry Town Centre First Plan to be submitted to Dept of Rural & Community Development by the end of September 2023.

 

9. Update on Community Recognition Fund 2023 (Report circulated):

D. Clarke, Director of Services updated the Members on the previously circulated report, in the absence of B. Flynn, Town Regeneration Officer.

A completed application was submitted on 14th March 2023 to the Department of Rural & Community Development which contained proposals for 27 projects in 19 communities across the County. Confirmation was received on 18th May 2023 that all 27 projects were approved. Total funding granted: €1,353,367 together with administration costs of €71,229. 60% of projects must be completed during 2023 with the remaining 40% to be completed and funding drawn down no later than 18th October 2024.

 

10. Any Other Business

Councillor Gerard Mullaney thanked all present for their time and contribution to the meeting. The meeting concluded at 12.50pm.

 


Meeting Date 28/06/2023