2022 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Thursday 8th December, 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)
  • John Reilly, Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council (by video)
  • Patricia Garland, State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE (by video)
  • Peter Egan, State Agency, Mayo, Sligo Leitrim ETB (by video)
  • Aidan Doyle, Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce (in Chamber)
  • 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 (by video)
  • 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)
  • Patrick Benson, Community & Voluntary, PPN (by video)

 

Apologies /Absent

  • Martin Lydon, Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • Councillor Joe Queenan, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council
  • John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. Of Employment Affairs & Social Protection
  • Brendan Lynch, Social Inclusion, PPN

 

In Attendance

  • Dorothy Clarke, Chief 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)
  • Kate Gibbons, Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council (in Chamber)
  • Marcella McGarry, 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 27th October 2022

Minutes of the meeting held on the 27th October 2022 were proposed by Councillor. Tom Fox and seconded by Councillor. Dara Mulvey and agreed.

 

3.Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

4.Update on LECP – Sligo 2030

Ms Dorothy Clarke updated on the development of the LECP – Sligo 2030 advising that it was presented to the 3 Municipal Districts in December 2022.  She outlined that there is no change to the substance of the plan and advised that the process is nearing completion.  It is intended to present the LECP to the full Council as soon as possible following SEA/AA assessment.  

 

5.Expression of Interest to deliver the new LEADER Programme 2023-2027

A report was circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Ms. Dorothy Clarke advised that the new LEADER Programme has been announced with Sligo to receive €6.1million in funding.  The Expression of Interest is to be submitted by the 16th December 2022 and the Sligo proposal is as per previous Programmes with Sligo LCDC as LAG, Sligo County Council as Financial Partner and SLPCo CLG, as Implementation Partner.  Ms Clarke outlined that this approach worked effectively and efficiently over the term of the LEADER Programme 2014-2020, and Transitional LEADER Programme 2021-2022, in delivering the Local Development Strategy (LDS).

John Feerick, SLPCo welcomed Ms Clarkes report and advised that once the Expression of Interest is lodged with the Department, the development of the LDS would commence involving planning and consultations with the community to identify needs with alignment to Sligo 2030. 

This item was proposed by Mr. Pat Benson, PPN and seconded by Councillor. Tom Fox

 

6.SICAP

Reports circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

6 (a) Update on SICAP 2022

Ms. June Murphy outlined some of the main points from the circulated report.  At end of November 2022 the annual budget was running at 80% spend. 

  • Goal 1 expenditure is running at 92%
  • Goal 2 expenditure is running at 96%, bringing the total average percentage expenditure at end November to 91%.

It is expected that all money will be paid out by year end.  

Progress at mid end November 2022 under SICAP goals (KPI 1 Groups – 100% Annual target achieved; KPI 2 Individuals – 138% achieved).   Ms Murphy advised of the third KPI ‘Percentage of KPI2 from Disadvantaged Areas’ with the annual target at 18%, overachieving at 39.34%.  She outlined activities being undertaken with target groups and collaborating agencies involved.  

Councillor. Dara Mulvey acknowledged the benefit of funding through the SICAP Programme to target groups and individuals. 

Noelle O’Gara highlighted an initiative in Donegal called Women’s Collective who provide support to women’s groups in promoting their services and activities in local communities and suggested that this may be something to look into.  She also queried the support provided to substance users under the SICAP Programme.   

Ms June Murphy clarified that Substance users were previously nominated as a special interest group under the Sligo Programme and while this currently isn’t the case it was assured that support is still given to this cohort under the SICAP Programme for example SICAP continues to provide support Shalomar and Maryville in their Health Promotion. 

Site Verification Visits

Ms. Murphy outlined that all Site Verification visits were completed for 2022 and that no dates were set out for 2023 as yet.

 

 

7.Update on PPN

Ms. Noelle O’Gara outlined the report (previously circulated to members) in relation to PPN operations and projects.  She outlined that Sligo PPN has begun work with ATU in relation to Climate Action and the work undertaken by the PPN on autism. 

 

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 outlined key elements of the Programme as set out by Pobal and the Department of Health in the application guidelines.  She also advised of the consultation process which included a survey which was launched on the 15th November, 2022.  To date over 450 responses were received.  The making of the application required substantial analysis and statistical data.  All applications for Round 4 of the Healthy Ireland Programme have to be submitted to Pobal by 27th January, 2023.  A meeting of the LCDC’s Healthy Ireland Sub Committee will be arranged in advance of this.

Regarding Consultation Workshops to inform the Action Plan for Round 4 of Healthy Ireland Fund, Ms McGarry clarified that an information email would be circulated to stakeholders including the LCDC following the meeting. It was acknowledged that the timeframe for consultation and development of the plan was tight however this was beyond the control of the Council. It was assured that all communication channels would be used to promote the participation of the community in the Plan including the PPN Network.

Dorothy Clarke advised members that a very positive meeting was held with the HSE in respect of the Programme development to avoid duplication and to get the input of HSE.

 

9.Update on PEACEPLUS Partnership Formation

Report circulated to Members in advance of meeting.  Tracy Ferguson outlined the key elements of the report to members.  She advised that a request for Tender was issued to procure specialist assistance in the development of the plan, this work is in progress and it is hoped to have a consultant in place in January, 2023. 

In response to a query in respect of the nomination process for social partners, Ms Ferguson advised that an open call had been made through Sligo PPN and that the deadline for nominations was extended on 2 occasions. As this process had elicited two of the four nominations required, a specific call for nominations was made to organisations (PPN and non-PPN) representing the target groups of PEACEPLUS: this adhered to practice in other PEACEPLUS Partnership areas. 

Ms. Noelle O’Gara queried the membership of the tender evaluation committee and was advised that this was made up of Council Staff with experience in the areas of Finance, Economic Development and Programme Management.  

 

10.To note report in relation to the launch of Community Support Fund.

A report was previously circulated to members with regard to the above.  Aisling Smyth delivered the report to members.  It was acknowledged that this was a very welcome fund to support community groups.

Members discussed the Community & Voluntary Sector Energy Support Scheme which is managed directly by Pobal and launched in November, 2022 with a very tight closing date of 4th December 2022.  It was acknowledged that there are a number of grants launched within the same timeframe and while funding is welcome the landscape had become confusing for groups to keep themselves on top of funding opportunities.  In particular the voluntary nature of community groups was noted and it should be made easier for groups to differentiate between the various schemes.

In respect of all the funding calls announced by the Department since October, Dorothy Clarke advised that a list would be put together from the funding announcements and circulated to members.

 

11.Correspondence

Correspondence as above was outlined by Aisling Smyth and noted by Members.

 

12.Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting – Thursday 23rd February 2023.

 

13.AOB

Mr. Peter Egan, MSLETB gave members an update on establishing Colleges of the Future.  He advised that MSLETB have put in 2 major applications for Sligo and Castlebar.  The application for Castlebar has been given the green light, however, Mr. Egan advised that the application for Sligo is currently still under consideration.   Mr. Egan advised that these new Colleges of the Future will enhance the ability to respond to skills needs and allow for greater reach and scope further education and training in the region.

The new College of the Future campus is proposed for the existing MSLETB site in Castlebar as part of as part of a €25 million investment in further and higher education.

 

Meeting concluded at 10.48a.m.

 


Meeting Date 08/12/2022