Agenda and minutes

Proposed: Councillor Enda McGloin

Seconded: Councillor Brendan Marry

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

David McGlinchey from KPMG provided an update of the progress of the new Leitrim LECP.  In his presentation he outlined the new LECP has completed stage 3 of the LECP preparation process.  This involved the revision of the High-level Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes. Mr. McGlinchey outlined the goals which provide the general direction of the plan, the objectives which look to address specific areas related to the goals and the desired outcomes/impacts that the plan will aim to achieve by 2029.

The actions and KPIs are now part of a more flexible implementation plan which will be reviewed and revised after two years. He outlined the six Emerging High-level Goals, and their subsequent actions and objectives for the new LECP as follows:

1.     Leitrim will continue to develop as an inclusive, healthy, and equitable county that supports wellbeing and is celebrated as a great place to live.

2.     Leitrim will embrace climate action to increase the sustainability of its communities and unlock the benefits of the green economy.

3.     Leitrim’s towns and villages will continue to be revitalised and regenerated as attractive places to live, work and visit.

4.     Leitrim will be recognised for its educational attainment, life-long learning, and training opportunities.

5.     Leitrim will strengthen and diversify its innovative economy, create meaningful employment, and promote sustainable enterprise.

6.     Leitrim will champion its natural and cultural environment and support the development of the county as a tourism destination in a sustainable and balanced manner.

The LECP is now at stage 4 of the LECP preparation process, this stage will involve the development and finalisation of a draft plan with completion of SEA and AA screening reports.

Cllr Sean McDermott thanked Mr McGlinchey for his presentation and highlighted that Tier 3 & Tier 4 designated areas in the County Development Plan are the weakest in the county and are being left behind. Tier 1 & Tier 2 areas have plans for development, but Tier 3 & 4 Areas have not seen the same level of investment and development. Cllr McDermott acknowledged the positive impact that bringing back derelict properties back into use will have on rural areas.

Seán Ó Conláin stated that the Advisory group have identified a huge range of big issues and there should be a focus on 10 major issues including Climate Change, Mapping, Dereliction, Education etc.

Seán also questioned the number of agencies involved across all the plans being implemented by Leitrim County Council, as there are so many plans are they linked together? He questioned who is going to lead these plans and take responsibility for the completion of actions.

Ms Emer Connolly confirmed that in the past, the completion of goals and actions within the LECP were not monitored, however for this current LECP, the Department will be reviewing the performance of Leitrim County Council and all goals and actions identified within the LECP will be measurable going forward. Ongoing progress will be monitored and reported to the Department.

Seán Ó Conláin queried whether Leitrim County Council will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Ms Lisa O’Connell from the Leitrim Local Enterprise Office provided an overview of new and continuing supports including One to One Mentoring, Trading Online Vouchers, and the Town Centre Business Incentive Scheme. Ms O’Connell also outlined sources of funding available to micro businesses including Micro Finance Loans, Ukrainian Enterprise Crisis supports, Agile Innovation Fund and Digital Start Supports. Ms O’Connell highlighted the initiatives that enable businesses to become more environmentally and financially sustainable through the Green for Micro and Lean for Micro Programmes. Ms O’Connell also announced that a new Energy Efficiency Grant was launched on 26th May 2023 which supports investment in technologies and equipment identified in a Green for Micro Report, GreenStart Report or a SEAI Energy Audit with 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum grant of €5,000.

Cllr Sean McDermott thanked Lisa for her presentation and praised the Leitrim Local Enterprise Office on the comprehensive range of supports available to micro businesses. He acknowledged the One-to-One Mentoring Programme has an excellent initiative that will increase jobs by allowing ideas to be converted into businesses.

Gerry Creamer stated that in the past he has availed of finance from Micro Finance Ireland but was advised to go to the credit union to seek funding. Do Micro Finance Ireland provide funding to community businesses?

Ms O’Connell confirmed that Micro Finance Ireland focus more on commercial enterprises, but she advised that if a community business wishes to determine their financing options, then they can contact her for assistance in exploring options.

Ms O’Connell confirmed that the Green for Micro is available for community and commercial enterprises but not charitable organisations.

Cllr Sean McDermott queried whether businesses could call into the LEO office or make online appointments?

Ms O’Connell confirmed that the LEO office can arrange either a face-to-face meeting or an online meeting, depending on the preference of the client.

Cllr Brendan Barry complimented Lisa on her presentation and acknowledged that businesses could be entitled to 2 or 3 of the various supports on offer.

Ms O’Connell confirmed that a series of outreach clinics have been organised in Kinlough and Manorhamilton, if any businesses or individuals wish to attend. Dates of the clinics were circulated to all SPC members.

Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn complimented the Town Centre Incentive Scheme on offer and stated there is currently a very good rate rebate for new businesses.

Cllr Enda McGloin asked Ms O’Connell if an outreach clinic could be organised for the Food Hub in Drumshanbo towards the end of the year?

Ms O’Connell confirmed that she could absolutely organise a clinic in Drumshanbo at the Food Hub.

Ms Michelle Reynolds from the Economic Development Department delivered a presentation on the LEADER Progamme 2014-2020 with a total of over €6.6m allocated to 145 projects under three Themes 1. Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation
2. Social Inclusion and 3. Rural Environment.  Ms Reynolds outlined that the programme had been extended until the end of 2023 and provided an overview of successful projects that had received funding.

A total budget of €6.3m has been allocated for the new Leader programme 2023 – 2027 under three themes 1. Economic Development and Job Creation 2. Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion and 3. Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment.  Consultants have been appointed by the Leitrim Development Company to assist with the preparation of the Leitrim Development Strategy.  The final draft of the plan must be sent to the Department by 14th July 2023 for approval.  Leitrim Development Company are currently accepting expressions of interest for new projects, and it is envisaged that the New Leader Programme will be open for applications in the Autumn of this year. 

Cllr Sean McDermott described the LEADER programme as marvellous initiative but highlighted the difficulties community groups and businesses can have in obtaining match funding.

Seán Ó Conláin highlighted that the themes fall within the LECP Plan. There appears to be lots of crossover and consultation on the development of the LECP and LEADER programme. He questioned whether Leitrim County Council can be more efficient in using the information obtained for these plans through consultation for use in the development of future plans.

Ms Emer Connolly acknowledged that it would have been good to have all consultations for the various strategies aligned together, however GDPR guidelines mandate that information may only be utilised for its intended purpose. Going forward it would be beneficial to align and seek consent from the public that information obtained in public consultations, be used for future strategies or plans also. Ms Connolly also confirmed that consultants are speaking to each other as they develop individual plans. The Leitrim Development Company have been involved in the discussions for the preparation of the new LECP and LEADER programmes. The new Climate Action Plan will directly align with the LECP and the LECP is cognisant of all other plans and is the overarching plan for Leitrim to which all other plans are aligned.

Seán Ó Conláin outlined that the PPN heard the draft climate action strategy and submissions are asked of people to contribute to the strategy. Seán expressed his concern that people will get tired of submissions. He suggested that when a new plan is launched that information obtained from previous public consultations be derived and used to feed into the new plan.

Ms Emer Connolly confirmed that where public consultations for plans can be streamlined, this will take place. Consent will be obtained to allow for submissions to be used for a range of plans or strategies.

The next Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday 19^th September at 10am on MS Teams.