2022 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Thursday 27th October 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 (by video)
  • Martin Lydon, Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council (by video)
  • Councillor Joe Queenan, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • John Reilly, Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council (by video)
  • John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. Of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (by video)
  • Patricia Garland, State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE (by video)
  • John Feerick, Local Development Sector, Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG (by video)
  • Ms Connie Nell, Environmental Interests, Environmental Pillar (PPN) (by video)
  • Mr Billy Gallagher, Community & Voluntary, PPN (in Chamber)
  • Noelle O’Gara, Social Inclusion, PPN (in Chamber)
  • Kathleen Henry, Farming / Agriculture Interests, Farming / Agriculture Pillar (by video)
  • Pat Fallon, Trade Union Interests, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (by video)

 

Apologies /Absent

  • Peter Egan, Stage Agency, Mayo, Sligo Leitrim ETB
  • Aidan Doyle, Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce
  • Brendan Lynch, Social Inclusion, PPN
  • Patrick Benson, Community & Voluntary, PPN

 

In Attendance

  • Dorothy Clarke, Chief Officer, Sligo County Council (In Chamber)
  • Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Aisling Smyth, Administrative Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Mary Boylan, Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Emer McGrath, Clerical Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Tracey Ferguson, Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • June Murphy, Programme Manager (SICAP), County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG (by video)

Councillor Dara Mulvey opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance.

 

1.Declarations of Interest

No conflict of interest was declared.

 

2.Minutes of meeting 22nd September 2022

Minutes of the meeting held on the 22nd September 2022 were proposed by Mr. Billy Gallagher, PPN and seconded by Mr. Martin Lydon, Chief Executive and agreed.

 

3.Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

4.To adopt the Draft Local Economic & Community Plan for Sligo – (Sligo 2030 - One Voice One Vision)

A copy of the Draft Local Economic & Community Plan for Sligo was circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Ms Dorothy Clarke outlined the background to the current Draft Local Economic & Community Plan for Sligo.  Ms. Clarke welcomed Mr. David McGlinchey and Mr. James Chilton from KPMG.

Mr James Chilton outlined a summary of the vision of the plan to 2030 and the work done to date to ensure success of the plan going forward to help realise the Sligo 2030 vision.  Mr. McGlinchey then delivered a presentation to members giving detail on of the purpose and structure of the plan, the main elements, the smart model, the Goals, objectives and outcomes, and the Implementation Plan.  

On conclusion of the presentation, Ms Margaret McConnell outlined that a lot of work had taken place on the Draft plan which had been prepared in accordance with Local Economic & Community Plan Guidelines November 2021.  She also outlined that the draft plan followed consideration and endorsement by the ASG on 20th October 2022.  The Draft LECP is next to be presented to the SPC and three Municipal Districts.

Chairman Mr. Dara Mulvey thanked David McGlinchey and James Chilton of KPMG for their presentation.

The adoption of the Draft Local Economic & Community Plan was proposed by Mr. John Feerick and seconded by Mr. Billy Gallagher.

Mr. David McGlinchey and Mr. James Chilton left the meeting at this point.

 

5.SICAP

Reports circulated to Members in advance of the meeting. Ms McConnell gave an overview of the item and the various sub items to agree and note.

5 (a) Update on SICAP 2022

Ms. June Murphy outlined the budget under the SICAP Annual Plan which included additional funding for Ukrainian Supports.  Ms. Murphy advised that at mid October 2022 expenditure on administration costs and action costs were running at 70%.  Expenditure on overall budget is running at 70%.  Progress at mid October 2022 under SICAP goals (KPI 1 Groups – 87% Annual target achieved; KPI 2 Individuals – 117% achieved) at mid October 2022.  Ms Murphy advised of the third KPI ‘Percentage of KPI2 from Disadvantaged Areas’ with the annual target at 18%, overachieving at 34.5%. 

It was also outlined to the meeting that 2 intercultural workers had been employed under the SICAP Programme, both Ukrainian nationals.  Their role is to act as support to Ukrainians and agencies in areas of need and have met with Diversity Sligo to build links in relation to services for Ukrainians who have come to Sligo. 

Ms. Noelle O’Gara, PPN queried if there was a separate budget for Ukrainian supports and queried supports for other communities.   Ms. Murphy advised of additional funding received under the SICAP Programme outside of general budget for supports to the Ukrainian community.  She advised that SLPCo are cognisant of continuing their budgetary supports to help and continue to help other mainstream target groups as well as providing supports to the Ukrainian community. 

Ms. Murphy also outlined that SLPCo continue to work with Diversity Sligo to ensure all minority groups are targeted.  Ms. O’Gara welcomed the clarification.

Mr. John Feerick SLPCo welcomed the input of Ms. O’Gara and outlined that the Department did make the additional funding available in order to meet the needs of the Ukrainian community. 

Mr. Martin Lydon, Chief Executive SCC thanked members for their input.  Mr. Lydon also wished to concur with Mr. John Feerick and Ms. June Murphy of SLPCo in relation to the operation of SICAP funding and acknowledged how SICAP has flexibly reacted to the Ukrainian crisis.

5(b) Ms. Margaret McConnell outlined the 2023 annual planning process and the considerations of the subcommittee meeting of 17/10/22.

5(c) To agree 2023 KPIs targets to remain as in 2022

5(d) To agree not to include Emerging Needs group for 2023

Both 5(a) and (b) were Proposed by Mr. John Kennedy and Seconded by Ms. Connie Nell and agreed.

5(e) was noted. 

5(f) SICAP Internal Audit Report 2021 was outlined by Ms. McConnell who advised that this report was carried out by Dolores McDonagh, Internal Audit, Sligo County Council and thanked SLPCo.  She referred to findings and recommendations of the report and outlined that these were reviewed with Sligo Leader Partnership. 

Site Verification Visits

Ms. McConnell highlighted the significance of Site Verification Visits and advised a renewed approach to ensuring attendance by members of LCDC and LCDC staff would continue.   Ms. McConnell also advised that they are a valued part of the SICAP audit process and would be important to have 2/3 fitted in per quarter. Ms Murphy outlined some options for consideration.

 

6.Agree revised membership of SICAP/SI subcommittee

Ms McConnell outlined the gap in the SICAP/SI subcommittee due to the resignation of Ms Jean Finnerty who had been replaced on the LCDC by Mr Billy Gallagher. It was suggested that Mr Gallagher could replace Ms Finnerty on the sub committee. This was proposed by Councillor Joe Queenan and seconded by Councillor Tom Fox.

Councillor. Mulvey welcomed Mr. Billy Gallagher PPN to the committee.

 

7.Update on PPN

Report circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.  Ms. Connie Nell Sligo PPN briefed Members on the update.   The update included some of the following key points:

 Operational Items

  • Our environment seat on SPC3 was filled by Emer Knowles
  • A webinar was held in early October outlining the key outcomes from the PPN structural review and the first meeting of the national implementation roadmap group has taken place.
  • The PPN national conference took place on 21st and 22nd October and Sligo was represented by Pippa Black, Joan Swift and Sheila Scanlon
  • A meeting of the PPN reps took place on the 17th November to review all the hosting options outlined in the Mazars report.
  • The PPN has successfully engaged consultants for the following 2 initiatives;
    • Engaging communities in Climate Action and the PPN Environment College
  • Sligo PPN Thematic Housing Group – Policy Support for the development of PPN housing policy positions across a range of key housing related issues

The Secretariat are reviewing 2 quotations for the remaining initiative;

  • ‘A day in the Life’ – Sligo PPN Social Inclusion College exploring how people with a range of mobility issues navigate the physical landscape and access key services in Sligo town.

Local Projects

  • The PPN photography competition was very successful. The judging took place in the Model Niland and there will be a pop-up gallery in the Foyer of City Hall from 9th to 14th All entrants have been notified of results.
  • The work on the River’s Trust is progressing and a follow up meeting will take place the week of 31st October to firm up the establishment of a Trust in Sligo
  • Our Environmental Action Academy will be launched in November in partnership with ATU

 

8.Update on Healthy Ireland – Round 4

An update report was circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.  Ms. Marcella McGarry, Healthy Ireland Co-ordinator presented the update which outlined the key elements of the Healthy Ireland Round 4 Programme as set out by Pobal and the Department of Health in the application guidelines.  An application must be made by each LCDC under Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland Programme for the grant period 2022-2025 under which an action budget of approximately €195, 000 is awarded per LCDC.  The deadline for submissions is 3.00pm Friday, 27th January, 2023.  The update highlighted the differences between Round 4 and previous Healthy Ireland rounds including:

  • Move from action led to outcome led approach.
  • Greater recognition of the social determinants of health.
  • Introduction of a behavioural science approach.

LCDCs will be expected to select project outcomes that are appropriate to the identified priority areas for their county and in the selection process consult and collaborate with key stakeholders and incorporate relevant research.  Ms McGarry referred members to Appendix 1 of the Report which outlined the Programme Outcome Indicators (of which 1-2 must be selected) and following this the selection of 2-5 Project Outputs which must be selected aligned to the outcome indicators.

Two recommendations were put forward by the SICAP/Social Inclusion Sub Committee of the LCDC which in previous rounds acted as the Healthy Ireland Steering Group.  These recommendations were put forward to the LCDC for agreement.

  1. The SICAP/Social Inclusion Sub Committee recommend the commencement of a consultation process with key stakeholders to determine priority areas. In addition it was recommended that the area of wellbeing should be prioritised along suicide.
  2. It was recommended by the SICAP/Social Inclusion Sub Committee that for Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland Programme that this Committee would be broadened to include representatives from CYPSC, TUSLA, HSE (Suicide Prevention), HSE (Wellbeing), SCC Active travel. SCC Parks and Sligo Sports Recreation Partnership.

Mr. John Feerick SLCPCo raised a query in relation to the 2 areas put forward by the Sub Committee and in particular that various agencies are targeting well-being in their area of work and the need to avoid duplication.  This was echoed by Ms. Patricia Garland.

Ms. McGarry agreed that the need to avoid duplication was paramount and clarified that the definition of well-being used in the Programme is as per the WHO guidelines and advised that under the guidelines well-being permeates all areas such as education, employment, environment and health.     

Chief Executive SCC, Martin Lydon agreed that well-being is an underlying objective for each indicator in relation to what we do. 

A discussion took place as to whether Healthy Ireland should have a separate steering group or remain as a component part of the SICAP/Social Inclusion Sub Committee with broadened membership.  Following discussion, it was agreed at the suggestion Martin Lydon Chief Executive of SCC that it should remain under the SICAP- Social Inclusion Sub Committee programme and be reviewed at end of Quarter 2 2023.  It can be then determined if this steering group is appropriate or if a separate steering group is required.

The recommendations outlined in the Healthy Ireland Report as listed above were agreed with the inclusion of reviewing of the subcommittee at the end of quarter 2.  This was proposed by Councillor. Joe Queenan and Seconded by Noelle O’Gara.

 

9.Update on PEACEPLUS Partnership Formation

Report circulated to Members in advance of meeting.  Chairman Councillor. Dara Mulvey welcomed Tracy Ferguson who was in attendance at the meeting observing and advised that Tracy would be working on the Peace Plus Programme going forward.  Aisling Smyth delivered the report regarding Peace Plus and confirmed that Sligo County Council/Sligo LCDC has been advised by the Special European Union Projects Board (SEUPB) that its indicative budget for the delivery of the PEACE Plus Action Plan is €3,603,788.  Ms. Smyth also advised that he PEACE Plus Programme covers the time span 2021-2027 and that the Community & Economic Development Section is advancing preparatory work required for the PEACE Plus Programme.  

 

10.Correspondence

  1. Press release non domestic Micro–generation Support Scheme (MSS)
  2. Press Release DRCD and Copy of Values and Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working with the Community & Voluntary Sector.
  3. Training Workshop: Integrating Public Sector Duty into the LECP
  4. Press release Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys launches new initiative to support Women’s Sheds
  5. Woodland Creation Open Day for Community Groups
  6. The Decider Skills - in-person training opportunity, 5th-6th December 2022, Castle Dargan, Sligo

 

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

 

11.Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting – Thursday 8th December 2022

Members agreed to hold the next meetings of the LCDC/LAG on the 8th December 2022.

 

12.AOB

Ms. Margaret McConnell advised that the Economic Development Unit had sent out a survey in relation familiarity of the Sligo. Brand and encouraged everyone to complete this survey and return.

 

Meeting concluded at 11.15a.m.

 

 


Meeting Date 27/10/2022