SPC 3 - Minutes

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 Planning, Community & Economic Development, Arts & Culture Meeting held on Wednesday 13th September 2023 at 11a.m. Venue: Council Chamber, City Hall and Virtually via Microsoft Teams


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady
  • Councillor Tom Fox
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons
  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney

 

REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE:

Aidan Doyle, Business Pillar

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor Thomas Healy
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry
  • Emer Knowles, PPN Environment Seat

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Frank Moylan, Senior Planner
  • Donal Tinney, County Librarian
  • Mark Mitchell, Digital Transformation Team & DPO
  • Patricia Keane, Senior Executive Librarian
  • Siobhán Gillen, Administrative Officer

 

Introduction

Cathaoirleach Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady welcomed all in attendance. Apologies were noted.

 

1. Confirmation of Minutes

The minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 28th June 2023:

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

 

2. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

3. Update on the new Economic Dashboard

M. Mitchell presented to the Members. Sligo County Council in consultation with the IDA developed the Sligo Economic Dashboard to supply business leaders and the public in general with key indicators, statistics and maps. The Dashboard pulls data from various sources such as the CSO, Property Price Register and Sligo County Council which allows those using it to get insights into what is happening in Sligo to illustrate why Sligo is a place to live, invest and visit. The dashboard is updated weekly and is a valuable source of information.

 

4. Update on the County Development Plan

F. Moylan updated the Members on the current status of the Draft County Development Plan 2024- 2030. A special meeting for the Members will be held on Monday 2nd October 2023 to consider the proposed draft. If agreed, the Draft Plan and associated documents will be going on public display commencing on 13th October 2023 for a period of 10 weeks (until 4pm on Friday 22nd December 2023). Written submissions or observations may be made to the Planning Authority during this time and may be made via the Council Consultation Portal, by email to cdp@sligococo.ie or by post to the Planning Section.

Public meetings will be held during this consultation period. Dates and venues have yet to be confirmed. After the consultation period, all submissions will be considered and a Chief Executive Report summarising all submissions will be completed and brought before the Members for consideration.

 

5. Summer Stars Programme 2023 (Report circulated):

P. Keane updated the Members on the previously circulated report. Summer Stars is one of four programmes Sligo Libraries deliver as part of Right to Read; the national programme promoting children’s reading and literacy.

Library staff visited Primary Schools throughout June 2023 to promote the programme. During July – August the programme ran for 6 weeks in Sligo Central Library, Enniscrone Branch Library, Tubbercurry and Ballymote Community Libraries. 1700+ children joined the programme in 2023, a 30% increase on 2022.

It was acknowledged and complemented, the amount of work that was successfully completed on such a small budget.

 

6. Any Other Business

S. Gillen informed the Members that the venue for the Q4 meeting would be the Council Chamber, Riverside and not City Hall due to lack of availability.

Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady thanked all present for their time and contribution to the meeting.

The meeting concluded at 11.30a.m.

 


Meeting Date 13/09/2023