2023 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Thursday 23rd February 2023 at 9.30a.m. (Council Chamber, City Hall & MS Teams)


Present

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

 

Apologies /Absent

  • Martin Lydon, Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. Of Employment Affairs & Social Protection
  • Aidan Doyle, Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce

 

In Attendance

  • Dorothy Clarke (In Chamber), Chief Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Margaret McConnell (in Chamber), Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Aisling Smyth (in Chamber), Administrative Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Mary Boylan (in Chamber), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Geraldine Timlin (in Chamber), Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Emer McGrath (in Chamber), Clerical Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Tracey Ferguson (in Chamber), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Kate Gibbons (by video), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Marcella McGarry (in Chamber), Healthy Ireland Co-ordinator, Sligo County Council
  • June Murphy (by video), Programme Manager (SICAP), County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG

 

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 8th December 2022

Proposed by: Mr. Billy Gallagher
Seconded by: Mr. John Feerick

and agreed.

 

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

4. Update on LECP – Sligo 2030

Ms Dorothy Clarke gave a brief update on the development of the LECP – Sligo 2030.  She advised members that the LECP has been brought to the necessary Local Authority committees and that the Environmental screenings (EIA and AA Assessments) were ongoing.  The LECP will then be at final draft stage and will be brought before the elected members at the April 2023 Council meeting.

There were no queries from members.

 

5. SICAP

a) SICAP 2022 Annual Performance Review - for approval by LCDC

i. Reports submitted by Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG and circulated to members in  advance of the meeting as follows:

  • Signed Lot Cost Charged Report
  • Lot Summary Report
  • 2022 Annual Progress Report

ii. LCDC Checklist including Pobal’s Feedback & breakdown of Individuals Caseload by Target Group

iii. Recommendation of the Social Inclusion & SICAP Monitoring Committee

b) Annual Plan for 2023 – For approval

i. Feedback report from Pobal’s review

c) Update on SICAP 2023

d)Site visits/ Verifications – Q1 2023

e) Correspondence

Ms. Margaret McConnell advised Members that a meeting of the Social Inclusion & SICAP Monitoring Committee was held on 15th February to consider the 2022 Annual Performance review. SLPCLG uploaded reports as required by the DRCD and Pobal, and LCDC support staff undertook a review of SICAP 2022 in January 2023. Feedback from Pobal was incorporated into the LCDC Checklist report.

Ms. June Murphy then briefed Members on progress during 2022. She noted that information contained in the SICAP report presented to members in December 2022 was still relevant, and advised that targets under both Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), were overachieved, as outlined below:

KPIs and Disadvantaged Areas

  • KPI 1 target = 38 actual = 40 (105%).
  • KPI 2 target = 366 actual = 570 (156%)
  • % Disadvantaged areas target is 18% - actual is 43.99%.

Ms. Murphy also advised that an underspend on the 2022 SICAP budget has resulted in a small carryover into 2023.  Ms. Murphy also confirmed that engagement with Single Parents is either by self-referral or from the Dept. of Social Protection.

(ii)        LCDC Checklist Report. Circulated to members in advance of the meeting and outlined by Ms. Kate Gibbons who advised that budget parameters as set out in the

Programme Requirements were adhered to in 2022. It was also noted that feedback from Pobal was positive following their review of SICAP 2021.

(iii)       Recommendation Report of the Social Inclusion & SICAP Monitoring Committee Circulated to members in advance of the meeting and outlined by Ms. M. McConnell.

Approval of the 2022 Annual Performance Review:

Proposed by: Mr. Pat Benson
Seconded by: Ms. Kathleen Henry and agreed.

 

b) SICAP Annual Plan 2023 

Ms. Margaret McConnell advised that the Social Inclusion and SICAP Monitoring Sub Committee had considered and recommended approval of the 2023 Annual Plan.

Ms. June Murphy noted that the 2023 Annual Plan is a continuation of supports across all target groups.  There is a renewed focus on New Communities, Youth Mental Health and Local Employment Services for 2023.  She highlighted the collaboration work being undertaken with other agencies in terms of delivery of projects e.g. MSLETB – delivery of English Language classes, HSE – Intercultural programmes, SCC – Healthy Ireland Fund, Period Poverty, pledged housing, Sligo Volunteer Centre – Supports for New Communities and Ukrainian supports.

Ms. Murphy responded to a number of queries, raised by members as follows:

  • She confirmed the 2023 budget allocation for Ukrainian projects as €167,473.
  • In terms of the percentage of individuals supported under KPI 2 living in disadvantaged areas the annual target of 18% has been exceeded to 99%. Ms Murphy confirmed that all areas designated as disadvantaged, in Sligo, are included in this figure, and in other projects, without being specifically named.

Ms. D. Clarke in response to a query re: statutory groups making premises available for classes for Ukrainian and other community groups, advised that she would bring this to the Ukrainian Community Response Forum for further discussion.  Mr. P. Egan confirmed that the MSLETB are open to speaking to groups with regard to the provision of premises and resources required.

In response to a query raised in relation to the development of a community garden in Caltragh, similar to Cranmore, Mr. J. Feerick advised that SLPCLG have spoken to Sligo Tidy Towns regarding the provision of a space in Sligo Town to be utilised /developed by TUS and CE workers.

Approval of SICAP 2023 Annual Plan:

Proposed by: Mr. P. Benson
Seconded by: Councillor. J. Queenan

 

c) Update on SICAP 2023

Ms. J. Murphy confirmed that under SICAP Goal 1, 13% of the annual target had been achieved. (Total number of local community groups engaged under SICAP (in receipt of at least 2 interventions)).

Under SICAP Goal 2, 6% of the annual target had been achieved.

(Number of Individuals (aged 15 years upwards) assisted under SICAP on a one-to-one basis (in receipt of at least 2 interventions)).

 

d) Site visits/ Verifications – Q1 2023

Ms. K. Gibbons confirmed two site verification visits are proposed as follows:

  • Dromore West Men’s Shed on 2nd March 2023
  • DVAS International Women’s Day Conference – 8th March 2023

 

e) Correspondence

Circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Outlined by Ms. M. McConnell and noted by Members.

 

6. Update on PPN

Report circulated to Members in advance of meeting. Mr. B. Lynch outlined the PPN report and brought the following to the attention of Members:

  • PPN currently working on an Autism Friendly Project
  • There are currently 5 vacancies in the PPN which will be circulated to
    PPN members
  • The National PPN Campaign, recently launched by Minister O’Brien, encouraging community groups to join the PPN

 

7. Update on Healthy Ireland – Round 4

Report circulated to Members in advance of meeting.  Ms. M. McGarry, Healthy Sligo Co-ordinator provided an overview as follows:

  • The HIF Round 4 application for County Sligo was made to Pobal on 27th January 2023
  • McGarry gave an overview of the application approval process and the indicators and outcomes which were selected via the consultation process
  • Members were advised that implementation of the Healthy Sligo Strategy will remain the primary responsibility of the LCDC. McGarry stated that the LCDC had established a SICAP/Healthy Sligo Sub Committee with relevant stakeholders, and it was agreed by the LCDC at their meeting of the 27th October, 2022 that the subcommittee arrangement would be reviewed in Q2, 2023.  Considering the work programme of both SICAP and Healthy Sligo/Ireland Programmes, and feedback of members, it was recommended to the LCDC that these 2 programmes merit separate sub committees.  Agreement from the LCDC was sought in this respect.
  • Retrospective approval of members was sought for the HIF Round 4 application made to Pobal on 27th January 2023, as endorsed by SICAP/Healthy Sligo Subcommittee on 26th January 2023

Retrospective approval of the HIF Round 4 application and approval for the establishment of a separate Healthy Sligo/Ireland Sub Committee was sought from members.

Proposed by: Mr. P. Benson
Seconded by: Mr. B. Gallagher

Ms. M. McGarry gave an overview of the Pobal review process, in response to a query from Ms. N. O’Gara, who also queried if the Healthy Sligo Strategy was available to members.  Ms. M. McConnell advised that as Pobal may have comments on the strategy, it will be available on the approval of Pobal’s review to ensure that the final and approved document is circulated.

 

8. Update on PEACEPLUS Partnership

Report circulated to Members in advance of meeting.  Ms. T. Ferguson provided an overview as follows:

  • The Sligo PEACEPLUS Partnership has complete membership of 16 representatives of Elected Members, Statutory Bodies and Social Partners of the LCDC
  • Pinnacle Growth Group, in cooperation with Third Sector Connect, have been awarded the contract to work on the development of the PEACEPLUS Action Plan
  • SEUPB has advised the first call for local authorities and LCDC’s to develop PEACEPLUS Plans and submit applications, is now expected around April 10th, 2023.  There will then be a six-month time frame to consult, develop and submit plans for consideration

 

9. To Note Update on the Community Support Fund.

Report circulated to Members for noting in advance of meeting.  Aisling Smyth provided an overview as follows:

  • The aim of the Community Support Fund (CSF) is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with running costs i.e. utility or insurance bills, as well as with minor improvements to facilities.  This fund will be allocated under the DRCD Community Enhancement Programme. The allocation to Sligo LCDC under the scheme is €282,702, which must be drawn down by 31st August 2023
  • Smyth gave an overview of the two stages of the application process – Stage One included initial registration of interest, by community groups, followed by Stage Two, which involved the submission of a detailed funding application
  • Members were advised that the closing date for receipt of completed applications was 10th March 2023 and that a recommendation on funding allocations would be bought to the next LCDC meeting on 6th April 2023

 

10. Correspondence

Correspondence was outlined by Ms. M. McConnell and noted by Members.

  • D. Clarke drew members attention to the Community Recognition Fund, a Capital Fund specifically targeted at projects located in communities, towns and villages hosting a significant number of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries
  • €50 million is available under the Fund, allocated between each local authority, based on the number of new arrivals located in each area. The allocation for Sligo is €1.4m, with the application from SCC due back to the DRCD by 15th March 2023. Ms. Clarke advised members that a number of proposals were being considered by SCC, based on location of Ukrainian refugees, within the Municipal Districts
  • In response to a query from Councillor. J. Queenan, Ms. Clarke confirmed that projects will be 100% funded and that €100,000 of the fund is for administration costs. She also confirmed that while communities will be consulted regarding proposed projects in their areas, this is not an open funding call for communities
  • Queenan also suggested that a scheme could be created at national level to create employment, as Ukrainian refugees are willing to work. Ms. Clarke to take this suggestion back to the Ukrainian Community Response Forum
  • J. Murphy advised members that SLPCLG have established an Employment Support Service for Ukrainian refugees and are also working with MSLETB regarding specific employment training
  • P. Egan advised that MSLETB had recently advertised two posts for Ukrainian Regional English Language Teams and have also hired an additional 20+ ESOL Tutors to provide English language to Ukrainian citizens
  • N. O’Gara noted that Social Housing needs have put a strain on services and resources within many communities and that displacement of these communities needs to be considered in terms of additional resources. Councillor. D. Mulvey advised that infrastructure and services within communities are discussed monthly by elected members, as these are ongoing issues which need to be addressed at national level.

 

11. Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting – Thursday 6th April 2023.

 

12. Any Other Business

Ms. T. Garland advised members that she would be stepping down as the HSE representative on the LCDC, and that the HSE CHO1 Chief Officer would nominate a new HSE representative, in due course.  Councillor. D. Mulvey and Ms. D. Clarke thanked Ms. Garland for her work with the LCDC and wished her well in the future.

 

Meeting concluded at 11.10a.m.

 

 

 


Meeting Date 23/02/2023