2023 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Thursday 21st September 2023 at 9.30a.m. (Council Chamber, City Hall & MS Teams)


Members Present

  • Councillor Dara Mulvey (Chamber), Local Government Member, Sligo County Council
  • Aidan Doyle (Chamber), Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce
  • John Feerick (Online), Local Development Sector, Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG
  • Cara O’Neill (Chamber), State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE
  • Connie Nell (Online), Environmental Interests, PPN
  • Billy Gallagher (Online), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Patrick Benson (Online), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Pat Fallon, Trade Union Interests, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
  • Bernadette Maughan (Online), Social Inclusion, PPN
  • Kathleen Henry (Online), Farming / Agriculture Interests, Farming / Agriculture Pillar

 

Apologies /Absent

  • Peter Egan, State Agency, MSLETB
  • Martin Lydon, Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • Tom Fox, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council
  • Joe Queenan, Local Government Member, Sligo County Council
  • John Reilly, Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council
  • John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. Of Employment Affairs & Social Protection

 

In Attendance

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

 

The Chair Councillor. Dara Mulvey welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted the apologies.  He also welcomed Ms. Bernadette Maughan who replaced Mr. Brendan Lynch as PPN Social Inclusion representative on the LCDC.  Mr. Lynch was thanked for his work with the LCDC and wished every success with his future work.

 

1. Declarations of Interest.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

2. Minutes of meeting 28th June 2023.

Minutes not adopted.

Ms. Cara O’Neill advised that she was not in agreement with wording of the Healthy Ireland item of the Minutes of meeting dated 28th June 2023, in particular the section relating to Youth Mental Health.  She advised that she did not have alternative wording to hand but would e-mail same to LCDC support staff in advance of the next meeting.

 

3. Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

 

4. HSE Presentation - The importance of Falls Prevention Programmes which can have far reaching implications for communities.

Presentation delivered by Edel Brennan, Senior Physiotherapist Falls Lead, HSE, and Brid Kennedy, Chronic Disease Lead, Health and Wellbeing.

The following areas were covered:

  • Prevalence of Falls in Ireland
  • Strength and Balance exercise – health effects
  • Current Strength and Balance programmes in Sligo
  • Partnership working in delivering Strength and Balance programmes
  • Video of exercise classes in action

It was noted that classes have been very successful in the Sligo / Leitrim area with an 85% average attendance rate at weekly classes from September 2022 to July 2023.  The importance of partnership working was addressed by the presenters.  They highlighted the need to establish Partnerships between the health sector and physical activity referral services to enhance the development, delivery and sustainability of quality physical activity referral services.

Discussion
The Chair thanked the presenters and noted the importance of participation of older people in Falls Prevention Exercise programmes.

In answer to a query regarding the availability of transport to classes it was confirmed that specific transport is not available but classes are timed to coincide with the current Local Link timetable.  Ms. Kate Gibbons, SCC Age Friendly Co-ordinator advised she would circulate information on the classes to the Sligo Older Persons Council.

It was also confirmed by the presenters that Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership instructors are trained as Posture Stability Instructors (PSIs).  PSIs can deliver the FaME Programme which is a 24 structured week exercise programme, tailored to individual needs.

Ms. C. O’Neill acknowledged the work of Ms. B. Kennedy and Ms. E. Brennan on delivering this programme and reiterated the importance of partnership working and welcomed the support of Sligo LCDC in highlighting this programme.

Councillor. D. Mulvey (Chair) and Ms. D. Clarke, Chief Officer highlighted the importance of linking programmes / initiatives to the LECP and noted there are several actions and objectives to which this programme can be linked, in particular Goal 4, Objective 4.2 – Improve the health of the community across Sligo.

 

5. SICAP

a) Update on SICAP 2023 to date

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. J. Murphy outlined the report and brought the following to the attention of members:

  • In terms of Key Performance Indicators – Goal 1 total number of Community Groups supported is 68%, Goal 2 total number of Individuals supported is 131%
  • Murphy gave an overview of the progress of actions under both Goals, including a sample of activities undertaken (as documented in report circulated to members)
  • Ukrainian supports:
  • Migrant Survey undertaken to identify up to date needs and priorities for all New Communities. Results of this survey to be circulated to members once available.
  • An intercounty collaboration on a joint project with musician Phil Coulter to record a version of “Steal Away” is due to be screened in each county in October 2023.
  • Members were also given an overview of SICAP 2023 Community Support Grants

 

b) Verifications/Site visits – Q4; 2023

Circulated in advance of the meeting 2 options were presented to members as follows:

  • Option 1: Goal 2.3 – Youth and Family Supports

Halloween Tie Dye Workshops, 31/10/2023, Skreen Dromard Community Centre, at 11:00am or 2:00pm

  • Option 2: Goal 2.4 - Employment Supports

Introductory Barista Training Course, 3/11/2023, Northside Community Centre at 11:00am

The importance of attending site verification visits was stressed to members as a good way of seeing the communities / individuals benefiting from SICAP and a key oversight tool.

 

c) SICAP 2024 – 2028

 

Ms. M. McConnell advised members that procurement is ongoing in line with the national timeline for the commencement of the new programme in 2024.

Discussion
Mr. J. Feerick advised that a revised funding application had been made to the SICAP unit for additional Ukrainian supports as sought by the DRCD.  This will ensure that all possible supports can be made available to the Ukrainian/new communities in Sligo.

d) Correspondence

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

 

6. To note update on PPN

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. C. Nell outlined the report and brought the following work / collaborations to the attention of the members:

  • Environmental funding Community Supports and Information evening held on 12th September in the Clayton Hotel in collaboration with ATU, SCC and key local organisations.
  • Partnered with Sligo Disabled Persons Organisation to launch the Navigating Ordinary Things initiative, a social media campaign aimed at highlighting the barriers that exist for disabled people when trying to access services in Sligo town
  • Brendan Lynch has stepped down as the PPN social inclusion representative and has been replaced by Bernadette Maughan.
  • Sligo Bay Catchment Area Rivers Trust with support from Sligo PPN are building on their Garavogue History walk with the creation of a video exploring the work of the Rivers Trust Network. The History Walk taking place on Friday 22nd September will be recorded as part of a film on major water bodies in Co. Sligo.  This walk is also being promoted via Culture Night.

 

7. To note update on the Sligo Healthy Ireland Programme Round 4

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. M. McGarry provided an overview as follows:

  • The Sligo Programme has been fully approved by Pobal and activities funding to the value of €70,310.18 has been released. The Programme is now in the implementation stage.
  • Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) hosted a registration for participants of the first Activator Poles programme in Sligo aimed specifically at encouraging adults to exercise outdoors.
  • Stronger for Longer Programme for those over 50 being rolled out by SSRP
  • It was confirmed that the Stronger for Longer physical activity programme led by SSRP does not duplicate the HSE Stronger Together Physical Health Programme
  • The Youth Mental Health Project considerations are still ongoing in relation to the details and delivery of the project. To be discussed further at the request of the HSE.
  • Response awaited from Pobal in relation to the provision of separate funding for the evaluation of the programme.

 

8. To note update on the Sligo PEACEPLUS Programme

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

  • An extensive shortlisting process for Project Development has been undertaken, with project ideas, for the Investment Area, being considered under the following themes:
    • Local Community Regeneration and Transformation
    • Thriving and Peaceful Communities
    • Celebrating Culture and Diversity
  • The Project Development Process – this involves detailed consideration of each proposal and may result in some projects being deemed ineligible or outside the scope of the Investment Area. This process is currently underway.

 

9. Correspondence

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

 

10. Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting – Thursday 26th October 2023 – 9.30a.m.

 

11. Any Other Business

  • Coffee morning in Mayors Parlour in aid of North West Hospice – members asked to support
  • B. Maughan thanked members for welcoming her and brought the following to the attention of members:
    • Sligo Traveller Support Group are looking to source a space for a Traveller Men’s Shed – members asked to pass on knowledge of suitable premises.
    • A Traveller Youth Mental Health Conference will be held on Tuesday 10th October in the Sligo Park – members invited to attend.

 

Meeting concluded at 10.32a.m.


Meeting Date 21/09/2023