Minutes - SPC 3

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 Live Invest Visit Meeting held on Wednesday 12th November, 2025 at 11 a.m.in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside


In Attendance:

Member Sector

  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney (Chair) Local Government Member
  • Councillor Liam Brennan Local Government Member
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons Local Government Member
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey Local Government Member via MS Teams
  • Councillor Fergal Nealon Local Government Member
  • Ruth Flood Social Inclusion - PPN Nominee (Sligo DPO)

 

Officials   

  • Brían Flynn  Director of Services
  • Margaret McConnell  Senior Executive Officer
  • Liam Kiely  Head of Enterprise SCC
  • Tracy Ferguson  Economic Development Officer
  • Aidan McCormack  Tourism Officer SCC

 

Apologies 

  • Councillor Declan Bree Local Government Member
  • Councillor Marie Casserly Local Government Member
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh Local Government Member
  • Steven Barker Community/Voluntary - PPN Nominee (Cliffoney CF)
  • Denise Curran Trade Union National Pillar - (MANDATE) (ICTU)
  • Paula Scallon Business / Commercial National Pillar - (Chambers Ireland)

 

Cathaoirleach Councillor G. Mullaney ensured meeting was quorate and welcomed all in attendance.

Apologies were noted.

 

1.  Confirmation of Minutes:

Minutes of Q3 Meeting, 17th September 2025.

Adopted: Proposed – Councillor Arthur Gibbons; Seconded – Councillor Fergal Nealon

 

2.  Matters arising:

None

 

3.  Declaration of Conflict of Interest.

Nothing declared.

 

4.  Update in relation to setting up the Disability Consultative Committee (DCC) and implementation of the Disability & Inclusion Access Strategy – to consider.

Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer, Community & Integration provided an overview of progress to date including:

  • Outline of membership structure;
  • Terms of Reference drafting
  • Date of first meeting – 11/12/2025
  • Establishment of Sligo County Council interdepartmental group to update DCC.

The good work and progress was commended by all, including commitment to practical co-design approach and use of the social model of disability.

Approved: Proposed – Councillor Arther Gibbons; Seconded – Councillor Fergal Nealon

 

5.  Update on Implementation of LEO Local Enterprise Office Policy 2024-2030 – for information

Liam Kiely, Head of Enterprise, presented an overview of context ad progress against policy aims including:

  • National context and progress data;
  • Local progress and ongoing actions.

Chair and members praised the work of the LEO team at local level.

Q:  Ruth Flood requested more information on measurement targets for inclusion and access, and engagement with DPOs at national or local level in developing inclusion policy.

  Also, if information is available to entrepreneurs re grants for reasonable accommodation for disabled employees.

A:   Liam Kiely advised that LEO responsible for enterprise supports and that they are provided inclusively. He offered to gather more information re target measurements and available supports and follow up directly after the meeting.        (Action)

 

6.  Update on implementation of Sligo Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) – for information

Aidan McCormack, Tourism Officer, presented detail on progress within the Sligo DEDP of 142 actions:

23 Actions Completed 16%

84 Actions in progress  59%

35 Actions not yet started  25%

Detail on the categories of actions – Catalyst or Enabler – was also provided.

The Chair and members thanked the Tourism Office for the good work and progress to date.

Q:  Councillor Fergal Nealon asked about the current progress status of completion of signage and development of marketing plan for National Mountain Bike Centre, Coolaney.

A:  Aidan McCormack advised that he had made a request for the same information – the site is owned by Coillte and the development involves Fáilte Ireland. He will furnish the members with this information as soon as he has it.           (Action)

 

7.  Setting of Dates for 2026 Meetings of SPC 3 – Live Invest Visit

Potential dates for next year’s meetings to be provided with consideration of ICBAN meeting dates to avoid double-booking.

 

8.  AOB

None

 

Cathaoirleach Gerard Mullaney thanked all present for their time and contribution to the meeting. The meeting concluded at 11.45 a.m.

 

 


Meeting Date 12/11/2025