2025 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Wednesday 16th April 2025 at 9.30a.m. (Council Chamber, City Hall)


Members Present

  • Councillor Donal Gilroy (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Councillor Fergal Nealon (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Councillor Ann Higgins (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Martin Lydon (Chamber), Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Cara O’Neill (Chamber), State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE
  • Mr. Peter Egan (Online), State Agency, MSLETB
  • Mr. John Feerick (Chamber), Local Development Sector, Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG
  • Mr. Pat Fallon (Chamber), Trade Union Interests, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
  • Mr. Aidan Doyle (Chamber), Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce
  • Ms. Kathleen Henry (Online), Farming / Agriculture Interests, Farming / Agriculture Pillar
  • Mr. Amro Hamid (Chamber), Environment, PPN
  • Mr. Billy Gallagher (Chamber), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Ms. Bernadette Maughan (Online), Social Inclusion, PPN

Apologies /Absent

  • Mr Liam Kiely, Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. of Social Protection
  • Mr. Pat Benson, Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Ms. Noelle O'Gara, Social Inclusion, PPN

In Attendance

  • Mr. Donal Tinney (Chamber), A/Chief Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell (Chamber), Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Aisling Smyth (Chamber), Administrative Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Mary Boylan (Chamber), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Marcella McGarry (Online), Healthy Sligo Coordinator, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Timlin (Online), Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Healy (Chamber), Clerical Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. June Murphy (Chamber), Programme Manager (SICAP), County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG

Councillor Donal Gilroy, Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular Councillor Ann Higgins, nominated to the LCDC by the Council due to the vacancy created by the election of former Councillor Nessa Cosgrave to Seanad Éireann. 

The Chair asked that members consider nominating Councillor Higgins to the position of Vice Chair, previously held by former Councillor Cosgrove.

Proposed by: Councillor F. Nealon. Seconded by: Councillor D. Gilroy and agreed.

 

1. Declarations of Interest.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

2. Minutes of meeting 26th February 2025.

Proposed by: Mr. J. Feerick. Seconded by: Councillor F. Nealon and agreed.

 

3. Matters Arising.

There were no Matters Arising.

 

4. SICAP

a) Update on SICAP 2025 to date

Ms. J. Murphy advised members that work under Goal 1 and Goal 2 was ongoing. She gave a brief overview of Programme activities and progress, since the last LCDC meeting, as follows:

  • Building Stronger Communities e.g. launch of SICAP Small Grants in early May 2025.
  • Empowering Communities through targeted community engagement e.g. Barista Training for Cranmore café workers and residents, currently being tendered.
  • Community Networking e.g. establishment of a Community Garden Network, towards the end of 2025.
  • Social Enterprise e.g. Support for large community centres / social enterprises to review their pricing structure. Mentor appointed with 6 groups signed up.
  • New Arrivals Community Integration e.g. support for Migrant Men’s Network.
  • Health & Wellbeing e.g. Music and Art Therapy for people with disabilities
  • Lifelong Learning /Community Education Climate Action and Environmental education programme working with SUH Garden Project and Northside horticulture
  • Children & Families e.g. seasonal camp supports in collaboration with FRC’s
  • Employment Supports including self-employment and migrants.
  • Individual & Family Support for New Arrivals.

Discussion

In response to a number of queries Ms. Murphy confirmed the following:

  • Direct grants for Women’s Sheds are not available, but this has not impacted on funding for Men’s Sheds i.e. funding to Men’s Sheds has not been reduced.
  • It was confirmed that Recreational Activities will be available in Caltragh and Ballytivnan over the summer months.
  • Consultants have been put in place to provide training for Social Enterprises

a) Verification / Site Visits Q1 2025

Ms. J. Murphy advised that 3 verification site visits will be arranged for Q2 2025.  Details to be confirmed and forwarded to LCDC members, once in place.

 

5. To note Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) Audit reports in relation to 2023 SICAP & 2022 Community Support Fund.

Correspondence and Reports from Auditors circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Ms. M. McConnell provided a brief overview as follows:

  • Outlined findings of two reports received from LGAS Auditors in respect of Sligo LCDC and Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG (SLP CLG) as circulated
  • Noted that Sligo LCDC advised to request and review insurance policy of SLP CLG on an annual basis to ensure the LCDC and LA are indemnified.
  • Noted finding that intercompany transaction of a capital works loan repayment by SLP CLG, should not have been apportioned to SICAP. Noted this is now ceased.
  • Concluded that all issues raised by the Auditors had been addressed

To note Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) Audit reports in relation to 2023 SICAP & 2022 Community Support Fund:

Proposed by: Councillor F. Nealon. Seconded by: Mr. Martin Lydon and agreed.

 

6. To note update on PPN

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Mr. B. Gallagher provided an overview of ongoing projects and events which Sligo PPN are currently involved in / working on, as follows:

  • Facilitator in place to conduct the Community Outreach initiative commencing in July 2025.
  • New Communities Ambassador initiative due to commence to ensure marginalised groups are aware of and engaged with the PPN, while also ensuring that the PPN reflects the changing face of the local community.
  • Under Power to Change tender has been issued to source a researcher to explore the pressures and challenges facing the community sector.
  • Building on existing community map to align the work of member groups with the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

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

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Overview provided by Ms. M. McGarry, as follows:

  • The Healthy Sligo Sub Committee agreed to remove the WRAP Programme for 2025 due to challenges in securing trainers to deliver the programme. Funding to be reallocated to the Youth Mental Health Programme.
  • Physical Activity programmes are progressing well with age cohorts across the lifecycle being targeted.
  • Under Mental Health Activities the Decider Skills Training has been deferred to September 2025
  • A Brief Intervention Programme for adolescents between the ages of 18 – 24 is being jointly developed by the HSE, Ballymote FRC and Healthy Sligo. this programme will target young adolescents experiencing mild difficulties which impact their mental health / wellbeing.
  • Caltragh - Working with Sligo Woodland School Community Welling “A Year in Nature” workshops were delivered involving the whole family unit. This project will continue throughout the year.

Discussion

Mr. P. Egan advised the following: a number of new apprenticeships in Horticulture / Farm Management are being offered by TEAGASC, the MSLETB offer Level 5 Horticulture at PLC level and a project with LTI / Organic Centre.  To discuss separately with Ms. M. McGarry.

Site visit to Caltragh to be organised for members, at the request of Councillor F. Nealon.

In response to a query from Councillor Higgins regarding the availability of Equine Therapy for children on the Autism spectrum, Ms. B. Maughan confirmed that therapy is available to all Autistic children and not specifically restricted to members of the Travelling Community.

Ms. C. O’Neill confirmed the HSE will link with Healthy Sligo & SSRP re National Framework for Physical Activity.

Proposed to remove the WRAP programme and allocate funding to the Youth Mental Health Programme.

Proposed by: Mr. J. Feerick. Seconded by: Ms. C. O’Neill and agreed.

 

8. To note update on the Sligo PEACEPLUS Plan

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. Mary Frances Doherty advised members as follows:

  • Finalisation of Pre-Commencement Conditions – work is ongoing with progressing and finalising pre-commencement conditions as set out by the SEUPB.
  • PEACEPLUS Launch – the official launch will take place on Thursday 15th
  • A focal point of the launch, the International Red Dress Project, will be exhibited in City Hall from 12th – 15th
  • Capital Projects have been given the go ahead with Sligo projects going to tender in the coming weeks. An engineer is currently being recruited to oversee this work.

 

9. To Note and Endorse the Allocation of funding approved by the LCDC Task Group under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. Aisling Smyth advised members as follows:

  • Members were given a brief overview of the scheme and the allocation to Sligo LCDC of €144,393, with €123,765 towards Capital Related Grant Aid and €20,628 toward current Operational Related Grant Aid.
  • Members of the Task Group (nominated at the December 2024 LCDC meeting) met in March 2025 to consider and approve allocations as per recommendations put forward by staff.
  • In terms of Capital Applications 134 applications were received - an increase of 19.6% from 2024.
  • 50 applications recommended in the amount of €1,000 or under, in line with DRCD guidance. 48 applications recommend in excess of €1,000 with a maximum cap set at €3,500.  36 applications not recommended for funding.
  • Current Applications – 109 applications received, with €465 to those associated with facility costs and a wider community remit and €215 to applicants such as single focused groups, clubs and Community Enhancement Groups.
  • LCDC requested to endorse these allocations and members advised that LCDCs are not permitted to notify approved applicants, pending a Press Release from the DRCD, in May 2025.

Discussion

In response to queries from Councillor A. Higgins regarding the availability of the list of unsuccessful applicants and reason for same and a comparison of funding for 2025 / 2026, Ms. A. Smyth advised that targets could vary from year to year i.e. in 2024 specific funding was ringfenced for Women’s Groups while Capital funding was not made available. Mr. M. Lydon advised that proportionality should be considered in terms of grant amounts being awarded. 

In terms of making available the list of unsuccessful applications Ms. Smyth, and Councillor D. Gilroy advised that the list of unsuccessful applications went before the Task Group (made up of LCDC members) to enable them to consider all information and make the recommendation to the LCDC; this is customary at subcommittee / working group level with the LCDC receiving recommendation of the Working Group allocations.

To Note and Endorse the Allocation of funding approved by the LCDC Task Group under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025:

Proposed by: Mr. A. Doyle. Seconded by: Mr. M. Lydon and agreed.

 

10. Correspondence

Correspondence circulated in advance of the meeting and noted as read by members in advance. 

 

11. Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting.

Thursday 29th May 2025 – 9.30a.m., Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside.

 

12. Any Other Business

Mr. J Feerick advised that Local Development Week is commencing Monday 12th May and invited members to attend the following events:

  • Thursday 15th May – Employment Opportunities for people with disabilities - Glasshouse Hotel
  • Monday 19th May – Launch of Garden Project, Northside Centre

Mr. P. Egan advised that on Friday 16th May there is a launch of the You be You Service, Tubbercurry Library. This is a Youth Service initiative in collaboration with MSLETB and Foróige.

 

Meeting concluded 10.40a.m.


Meeting Date 16/04/2025