2022 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Thursday 22nd September 2022 at 9.30a.m. (Council Chamber, City Hall & MS Teams)


Present

  • Councillor Dara Mulvey, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Councillor Tom Fox, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Peter Egan, State Agency, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim ETB (by video)
  • John Reilly, Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council (by video)
  • Patricia Garland, State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE (by video)
  • John Feerick, Local Development Sector, Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG (by video)
  • Aidan Doyle, Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce (in Chamber)
  • Mr Billy Gallagher, Community & Voluntary, PPN (in Chamber)
  • Brendan Lynch, Social Inclusion, PPN (by video)
  • Kathleen Henry, Farming / Agriculture Interests, Farming / Agriculture Pillar (by video)
  • Pat Fallon, Trade Union Interests, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (by video)

 

Apologies /Absent

Martin Lydon, Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council

  • Connie Nell, Environmental Interests, Environment Pillar (PPN)
  • Noelle O’Gara, Social Inclusion, PPN
  • John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. Of Employment Affairs & Social Protection
  • Patrick Benson, Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Joe Queenan, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council

 

In Attendance

  • Dorothy Clarke, Chief Officer, Sligo County Council (In Chamber)
  • Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Fiona Gilligan, Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Mary Boylan, Staff Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Ms Geraldine Timlin, A/Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Emer McGrath, Clerical Officer, Sligo County Council
  • June Murphy, Programme Manager (SICAP), County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG (by video)

 

Councillor Dara Mulvey opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance in particular, Mr. Billy Gallagher who is replacing Ms. Jean Finnerty on the LCDC representing the PPN Community & Voluntary College.  Councillor. Mulvey also thanked Jean Finnerty for her contribution to the LCDC.

 

1.Declarations of Interest

No conflict of interest was declared.

 

2.Minutes of meeting 28th July 2022

Minutes of the meeting held on the 28th July 2022 were proposed by Mr. Aidan Doyle, Sligo Chamber of Commerce and seconded by Councillor Tom Fox and agreed.

 

3.Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

4.Update on LECP process – ‘Sligo 2030 One Voice One Vision’

Ms. Margaret McConnell gave an update on progress with the Local Economic & Community Plan/Sligo 2030 Plan.  Stages 1 and 2 of the LECP process are complete and include the preparation, sign off and publication of the Socio-economic statement.  This incorporates the vision and 6 high level goals.  The process involved public consultation, necessary revisions and the adoption by the LCDC, SPC and MDs. 

Members were advised that the LECP process is moving to Stage 3 and 4.  Ms McConnell thanked everyone for their contribution to date and outlined that iinformation has been returned to KPMG and Sligo County Council await response on the next steps.  Ms. McConnell also advised that the ASG will be contacted with regard to setting up a meeting to consider the next stages.  

 

5.SICAP

a)Update on SICAP 2022

Reports circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

Ms. June Murphy outlined the budget under the SICAP Annual Plan which included additional funding for Ukrainian Supports.  Ms. Murphy advised that at 31/8/2022 expenditure on administration costs and action costs were running at 54%.  Expenditure on overall budget is running at 54%.  Progress at end August 2022 under SICAP goals (KPI 1 Groups – 79% Annual target achieved; KPI 2 Individuals – 104% achieved) at 31st August 2022.  Ms Murphy advised of the third KPI ‘Percentage of KPI2 from Disadvantaged Areas’ with the annual target at 18%, overachieving at 31.6%. 

Ms June Murphy briefed members on Progress under Actions Goal 1 (supporting communities) & Goal 2 (supporting individuals) with the report outlining the Actions, Project/Activity & Geographical Spread, Target Group and Collaborating Agencies involved. 

In relation to Ukrainian Supports, due to substantial numbers of Ukrainians arriving in Sligo an Intensive Job Seeking Skills Training Programme was delivered over 4 weeks, for groups of 20-25.  The purpose of the programme was to provide new Ukrainian arrivals with the skills, tools and confidence to pursue jobs in the Irish Market.  One of the barriers to this highlighted was English language Skills.  It was advised that a budget was to be put in place for 2 Intercultural Workers and 1 Interpreter to be based in accommodation centres.  These workers will be providing supports to Ukrainians with a number of areas of need.

An update on SICAP Grants was also provided in the report.

Mr Peter Egan MSLETB advised that an education co-ordinator is available to work with schools and families on access to supports around English language skills.  He also advised that ESOL tutors were ready to commence.  The good links between agencies was acknowledged.

Ms Margaret McConnell advised that the Ukrainian Community Response Forum which was established by Sligo County Council continues to meet and is facilitated by the Council’s Corporate Services Team.

b). Verification/Site Visits – Q3/Q4 2022

  • Cultural Night at The Model – Friday 23rd September
  • Manual Handling Course – Northside Community Centre Tuesday 27th September

 

6.Update on PPN

Report circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.  Mr Brendan Lynch Sligo PPN briefed Members on the update and welcomed Mr. Billy Gallagher to the LCDC as PPN Representative to replace Ms. Jean Finnerty.  He thanked Ms. Finnerty for her contribution to the LCDC on behalf of the PPN.  The update included some of the following key points:

  • A structural review of the PPN is currently ongoing. Sligo PPN Member, Ms Pippa Black has been nominated by the national PPN Secretariat to the national working group for the implementation roadmap of the structural review. 
  • The PPN photography competition is scheduled to take place on the 29th September 2022 in The Model. Minister Joe O’Brien, Mr. John Feerick SLPCo are judges for this competition. 
  • The PPN worked with LAWPRO and the Rivers Trust to host an information evening on 20th September, 2022. The event explored the establishment of a specific Rivers Trust for the Sligo Bay area.  Lynch thanked staff and the Cathaoirleach and Councillors who attended this event. 

 

7.Update on Healthy Ireland

Report circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.  Ms Dorothy Clarke, Chief Officer advised that Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland Fund is currently being prepared for. 

Ms. Marcella McGarry, Healthy Ireland Co-ordinator advised members that Pobal, are organising an Information Session for Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland Fund on Wednesday 5th October, 2022 for LCDC staff.  A guidance document is to issue in advance which will provide details of the overarching HIF Round 4 framework and what is required in the online 2023-2025 submission.   The deadline for LCDC’s to complete the online application is Friday 9th December 2022.  Members of the SICAP/SI Sub Committee and LCDC will be updated as more details become available.

 

8.Update on PEACEPLUS Partnership Formation

Report circulated to Members in advance of meeting.  Ms. McConnell advised that work has been ongoing in developing the PEACE PLUS Partnership with key agencies and bodies contacted to advance membership.  In relation to Pillar 4 Social Partners, it was advised that the PPN will facilitate the nomination process for Pillar 4 nominees.  It will also be required that nominations are assessed to ensure that they meet the PEACEPLUS Programme Criteria as Pillar 4 Social Partners.

As outlined in the circulated report, the LCDC was requested to nominate 2 No. members who would work with the PEACEPLUS team to evaluate Pillar 4 Social Partner nominations received.  John Feerick, Sligo Leader Partnership and Brendan Lynch, PPN expressed an interest in this regard.  This was agreed by all members.

 

9. Update on Sustainable Development Goals week (20-26 September)

Ms Margaret McConnell updated members in relation to Irelands first Sustainable Development Goals Week (20-26th September, 2022) and advised on project the LA was involved in.  The initiative is coordinated by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and Local Authorities were requested to participate by hosting a programme of events.   The Sligo Programme consisted of events organised and promoted by sections across the council and details posted on https://esdw.eu/country/ireland/

 

10.Correspondence

  1. Sligo Information Request Audit Authority (SICAP) – DRCD email 9.9.2022
  2. SICAP 2022 KPI Targets – POBAL email 15.9.22

Correspondence as above was outlined Ms. Margaret McConnell and noted by Members.

 

11.Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting – Thursday 27th October 2022

Members agreed to hold the next meetings of the LCDC/LAG on the 27th October 2022.

 

12.AOB

Ms Dorothy Clarke wished it to be noted that this was Fiona Gilligan’s last meeting and thanked her for her contribution and commitment to the LCDC over the past years.  She welcomed new staff members Mary Boylan and Geraldine Timlin to the team.  This was acknowledged by the Chair and other members.

There were no other items for discussion.

 

Meeting concluded at 10.20a.m.

 


Meeting Date 22/09/2022