SPC 3 - Minutes

Minutes of SPC 3 Meeting (Planning Community & Economic Development, Arts & Culture) held at 10.00 am on 11th March 2019 in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Sinead Maguire,
  • Councillor Seamus Kilgannon,
  • Councillor Chris Mac Manus,
  • Councillor Hubert Keaney,
  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady,
  • Councillor Marie Casserly,
  • Mr. Gerard Queenan,
  • Mr. Anthony McCormack.

 

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr. Daithi Gallagher, Economic Development Officer
  • Mr. Liam Kiely, Administrative Officer
  • Ms. Siobhan Ryan, Heritage Officer
  • Ms. Karen Kennedy, Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Ms. Ariana Somers,
  • Councillor Tom Mac Sharry
  • Mr. Aidan Doyle

 

ITEM NO. 1:  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10TH DECEMBER 2018

It was proposed by Councillor Hubert Keaney and seconded by Mr. Gerard Queenan and agreed that “The Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee meeting held on 10th December 2018 be confirmed”.

 

ITEM NO. 2:  MATTERS ARISING

No issues raised.

 

ITEM NO. 3:  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY – PRESENTATION

In her presentation Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, gave a comprehensive analysis of all areas of economic development within the County.

She stated that Sligo County Council is working within the parameters of national and local policy in order to progress economic development in the County.  The overarching outputs determining future economic growth are outlined in the National Planning Framework: Ireland 2040.  Local plans such as the County Development Plan, the Tourism Strategy, Local Development Strategy and LECP 2016 – 2021 provide a more focused set of actions and outputs in industry specific areas in order to further progress the overall aims of the National Planning Framework (NPF).

Within Ireland 2040, a number of key targets have been developed.  Sligo city is designated a Regional Capital for the North West.  By 2046 the population is expected to grow to 81,700 with 12,600 jobs to be created across all sectors.  Feeding in to these targets, Sligo will also be developed as a key food destination hub, it will build and expand on its festival offering while also develop a reputation as a Music City.

These ambitious targets have been supported in recent years by commitments to infrastructural project.  Over the next three years it is anticipated that over €121 million will be invested in roads projects, including the Western Distributor and the Eastern Garavogue Bridge.  While Sligo City has a high standard of broadband connectivity, development and investment is needed in enhancing rural broadband.  Sligo is on target to achieve 64% coverage across the county by Q3 of 2019. S ligo has been successful in securing funding from the URDF and RRDF and applications have been submitted by various stakeholders in seeking to secure further funding for eligible projects in the future.

Over €5.3m has been allocated to Sligo specific projects through the URDF and €2.58m has been allocated under the RRDF.  Since 2018 over 1,300 jobs have been announced for Sligo, this boost to the local economy has a direct impact on Sligo City, while also extending to impact on towns like Ballymote and Tubbercurry.  Collaborative work being carried out by the LEO, IDA and Enterprise Ireland, have all contributed to securing Foreign Direct Investment in the area. These organisations have also secured investment in local infrastructure to facilitate start ups and indigenous SMEs.

Members were informed that Sligo County Council has developed a Diaspora Strategy which has been adopted by the Council and will be launched in the coming months.  This strategy highlights the potential within the Sligo Diaspora to further progress the economic development of County Sligo.  Key actions such as the strengthening of links with IT Alumni, establishment of an Annual Sligo Day and hosting regular Diaspora conferences will allow for further engagement with Sligo people at home and abroad, encouraging them to consider Sligo as a place in which to live, invest or visit.  It was agreed that the members would be updated regarding implementation at a future date.

Ms. Clarke indicated that the Sligo’s Tourism Strategy also feeds in to these ambitions by developing the tourism offering of the county and further building a sustainable tourism industry.  A Sligo specific Festival Strategy is also being worked on and should be in place before the end of the year and will assist Sligo County Council in developing existing festivals to create attractions of scale. Sligo County Council will continue to work with Sligo Tourism to monitor and progress the outputs and actions outlined in the strategy.

In order to establish cohesive branding across all sectors of economic development, branding and communications strategies to include a Sligo portal are being finalised and consultative work with DHR Communications is ongoing.  The branding project will deliver cohesive imagery and messaging, allowing all stakeholders across the county to take pride in their county identity.  Whether attending events, delivering on infrastructural projects or announcing jobs for the county, the Sligo.ie brand will offer an overarching image under which the positive stories from County Sligo will be presented.

Sligo County Council continues to invest in Arts, Cultural and Creative development as a key driver and differentiator for the development of creative industries.  Progressing programmes such as the SLR Film Project and the Wrap Fund, coupled with contribution of over €290,000 in 2019 by Sligo County Council to the Arts to fund festivals and events Sligo County is successfully establishing itself as a hub for the arts and cultural heritage.  Reference was made to the Grow Remote Conference to be held in Tubbercurry in April, 2019, which will attract delegates from throughout Ireland and include speakers from various parts of Europe and America.

The National Planning Framework outlines the importance of development in two economic corridors on the island of Ireland, the Dublin – Belfast Economic Corridor and the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC).  Sligo plays an important role as a key stakeholder along the AEC and has employed a full time AEC Economic Development Officer to work collaboratively with other officers from Kerry to Donegal in developing regional strategy and securing further investment along the Atlantic Coast.

Ms. Dorothy Clarke referred to The Rural Development Programme which has provided considerable investment in rural towns, rural tourism, enterprise development and basic services.  Under the Rural Development Programme, a total budget of €7.6m (€5.3m Programming and €2.3m Administration /Animation Programming) has been provided, with €3m of that budget currently approved.

Considerable progress has been made in IT industries with the development of Sligo’s Climate Change and Renewable Energy strategy.  Plans are also underway to establish the infrastructure necessary in naming Sligo a Smart City. Sligo County Council, in conjunction with the Sligo Economic Forum, continues to support the work underway by IT Sligo in achieving Technological University Status for IT’s across the north western region.  

Members were also informed that Farming and Agri-Food Industry continues to serve as the backbone of the Irish economy providing some 4,800 jobs in County Sligo.  The output value of our agri economy stands at €86.5m.

Taking into consideration the key areas for growth as outlined above, while also acknowledging the approved investments in RRDF, URDF and Infrastructural Projects, over €140m will be invested in Sligo over the next 2-3 years.  This paints a positive picture in future economic development for Sligo.  Having been nationally recognised as a growth centre in the NPF, funding secured and investments made in infrastructural projects over the next 10 years will allow Sligo to achieve this status as the capital for the north west region.

 

ITEM NO. 4:  SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS FACING BREXIT – PRESENTATION

Mr. Liam Kiely, gave the members a Presentation on the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) role in supporting small business, with financial and soft supports, through the challenges faced by Brexit.  He indicated that LEO’s had a critical role in dealing with the Brexit battle and that all of their supports available are now being looked at as Brexit supports.

He outlined the 9 no critical Business Impact areas:

  • Kingdom dynamics - possible market contraction; buy British campaign
  • Currency – impact on profits; delayed decision making due to uncertainty
  • Customers– impact on customers leading to challenges and opportunities
  • Transport and logistics – established transport routes may no longer be optimal
  • Movement of people – possible restrictions
  • Sourcing – impact on cost, certainty and quality; dependence on UK distributors
  • Competition – expect new and increased competition
  • Customs, tariffs and taxation – may see an increase in administration, costs and time
  • Regulations and standards – may change for exporting to and importing from UK

The members were informed of the various financial supports in the form of loans and grants available:

Micro Finance Ireland Loans – Loans of up to €25,000 towards cash flow and investments

Feasibility Study Grants - 60% towards cost of investigating new business plans.

Priming/Business Expansion Grants – 50% towards investments in employees/marketing/equipment/technology

Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) - 50% grant towards trade shows/export marketing materials.

Trading Online Voucher – Up to €2,500 towards developing E-commerce activities.
 

Mr. Liam Kiely confirmed that the LEO office also provided soft supports in the form of: Seminars and Workshops – prepare your business for Customs – Online Customs Insights. Brexit Mentoring – One–to–one clinics or up to 15 hours of Brexit consultancy.

Brexit Scorecard – to- identify how Brexit will affect the business.

Lean for Micro – Lean programme aimed at boosting competitiveness and profitability.

Enterprise Europe Network - A European network of enterprise agencies helping businesses seek new partners in EU countries.

The members were informed that Mentors and Trainers were instructed to discuss Brexit where relevant as part of daily client interactions/ clinics to gauge activity.  New Business Advisory support of €50,000 being available to contract targeted business consultancy support with Brexit role (30+businesses)

Mr. Liam Kiely updated the members with regard to the number of applications received/ granted for loans and grants under the various programmes together with the number of seminars, workshops, mentoring, assignments and clinics held.

Reference was made by members to the support being offered by LEO’s and Brexit related feedback being received from clients. 

 

ITEM NO 5:  UPDATE MOUNTAIN BIKE COOLANEY – FUNDING

Ms. Dorothy Clarke gave the members an update on the Coolaney Mountain Bike Trail.

She informed the members that the development of the National Mountain Biking Trail Centre at Coolaney, has been identified as a strategic flagship amenity for the North West, and potentially the island of Ireland, which will further strengthen Sligo’s reputation as a ‘Adventure Hub’ and centre for outdoor recreational activity, and boost its profile as an important Wild Atlantic Way destination.

She stated that the project will result in the construction of 80km of high quality single track mountain biking trail incorporating different levels of ability.  It is projected that when the project is realised it can attract in excess of 50,000 visitors per annum which would make it a significant Visitor attraction for Sligo and the region situated on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Ms. Dorothy Clarke indicated that the project will act as a catalyst for employment both direct and indirect for the immediate hinterlands and surrounding area. It will realise Sligo’s position as a key activity destination and deliver on an action in Coillte Off Road Cycling Strategy and the County Sligo Tourism Strategy.

She outlined the progress to date where the construction of over 16km of family friendly mountain bike trails are underway with an anticipated completion date of December 2019 for this phase of the project.  

Sligo County Council successfully secured in 2016, €200,000 REDZ funding for advance civil works. Works undertaken included road rehabilitation and water supply at Coolaney.

Further funding totalling €840,000 was secured under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) Measure 3. This allowed Phase 1 to commence, which involved the construction of over 16km of mountain bike trails, currently underway.

In 2018 an application for Phase 2 funding to continue trail development works at Coolaney Mountain Bike Centre was awarded €500,000 by Minister Ring in November 2018.

Early in 2019, the project again secured funding as part of a joint application with Coillte, Fáilte Ireland and local Authorities from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF).

The members were informed that an award in excess of €10 million was secured for the four national Mountain Biking Centres of which Coolaney is one.  This funding secured should see the project fully completed.

Councillor Sinead Maguire welcomed Mr. Brendan Lynch to the organisation.  She acknowledged the endeavours of Michael Carty and his collaboration with Coillte prior to 2015, the support from the Coolaney community and the North West Biking Group.

 

ITEM NO. 6: NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT OF WORK ON A NEW ARTS PLAN 2020-2025.

Item deferred.

 

ITEM NO. 7:  UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COUNTY SLIGO HERITAGE PLAN 2016-2020

Ms. Siobhan Ryan updated the members with regard to the County Sligo Heritage Plan 2016-2020 which sets out strategic themes and 49 ambitious actions for the built, natural and cultural heritage of Sligo. She informed the members that the County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-2015 (28 actions) was integrated into the current County Sligo Heritage Plan.

Ms. Siobhan Ryan outlined the various Sligo Heritage Plan projects undertaken in 2018 or planned for 2019 and the funding streams available, which included an annual allocation of €15,000 from Sligo County Council Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme together with support from the Heritage office for heritage projects and events. 

Capital funding being allocated annually from the Department of Arts Culture and the Gaeltacht for the conservation of protected structures.

In 2018 12 no. historic buildings in County Sligo benefitted from funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Structures at Risk fund to the sum of €65,000.  Grant applications for 2019 have been assessed and submitted to the Department for consideration and approval, with an anticipated grant allocation notification date of end of March 2019.

Ms. Siobhan Ryan referred to the lack of resources to implement the Heritage Plan actions.

The members were informed that the public consultation process with regard to the review of the National Heritage Plan is being undertaken with a closing date of 31st March 2019 for submissions.

In January the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht opened applications for Ireland’s Tentative List of properties for potential future nomination to the World Heritage List 2020-2030.  Ms Siobhan Ryan outlined the process for the submission of applications of sites or properties of natural and / or cultural heritage which are considered to be of outstanding universal value, for inclusion on the new Tentative List.

Councillor Hubert Keaney queried if there were any proposals by the Sligo Heritage Forum.  Ms. Siobhan Ryan advised that Sligo Heritage Forum has discussed the matter at its last meeting and has proposed to submit a recommendation to the Chief Executive for consideration and potential future nomination to the World Heritage Tentative List 2020-2030.  It was considered that Sligo sites with potential for inclusion on the World Heritage Site Tentative List were – Carrowmore/Knocknarea and Carrowkeel,

Ms. Siobhan Ryan acknowledged the support given by the Heritage Forum.

 

ITEM NO. 8:  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

No issues raised.

 

This concluded the business of the meeting.

 


Meeting Date 11/03/2019