I ask Leitrim County Council what if any correspondence has been received from central Government with regard to Brexit and its impacts, implications, commitments , expectations from us as a Local Authority or Municipal DIstrict.
Minutes:
"I ask Leitrim County Council what if any correspondence has been received from central Government with regard to Brexit and its impacts, implications, commitments, expectations from us as a Local Authority or Municipal District."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The Government has engaged with Leitrim County Council over the past two years in relation to Brexit. The highest level of activity is with the Local Enterprise Office who are the lead agency in assisting businesses to respond to the challenges posed by Brexit.
The following correspondence was directed to Leitrim County Council:
· Letter to Chief Executive dated 26/02/19 from the Department of Housing and Local Government regarding Data Protection
· Letter from Department of An Taoiseach in response to a request from the elected members of Leitrim County Council detailing the government response to Brexit, presented as correspondence at the Leitrim County Council meeting on 7th May 2019
· Circular BC09 2020 issued 08/12/20 to Chief Executive in relation to construction materials and the requirement of the local authority for market surveillance post Brexit.
· Correspondence in relation to the Border Stimulus Package for Leitrim, with initial receipt of €200,000 for the delivery of LEO training programmes in 2021.
Border Stimulus Package
In January 2020, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD announced a special €28 million economic stimulus package for the Border region to help the counties most impacted from Brexit; Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.
The main objective of the €28m stimulus package is to support businesses across the region to strengthen their resilience and capabilities and drive economic activity.
Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the administration of:
· A €15 million competitive Border Enterprise Development Fund
· A €8.5 million Brexit Transformation Fund
The package also includes the allocation of €3 million to the six Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located in the border counties to establish development programmes for ambitious micro and small firms.
Border Enterprise Development Fund
In June 2020 the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD 11 successful projects under the Border Enterprise Development Fund 2020 including the following project which attracted €3.7m
Manorhamilton Innovation & Development CLG
This project is an Innovation and R&D Centre for the Quarry and Construction industry under Industry 4.0 focusing on robotics and cobotics, artificial intelligence and smart data, virtual reality, augmented reality, 3 D industry Printing, software development to develop new prototypes or products and upskill staff, within both industries.
The project is a collaboration between W8 Centre, Enterprise Ireland, Sligo IT, South West College Enniskillen, Irish Manufacturing Centre Mullingar, Irish Concrete Federation, Irish Construction federation, Leitrim County Council and 40 Industry companies that support 10,000 jobs in the Border region.
Leitrim LEO will deliver the following training programmes in 2021 funded under the Border Stimulus Package:
· Financial Capability Programme
· Green for Micro Programme
· Retail Programme
· New Market Development
· Innovation
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Supports
Leitrim LEO offer a range of grant and training supports to clients to address the challenges of Brexit.
· Trading Online Vouchers
· Brexit Mentoring
· Brexit/Customs Training
· Business Continuity Vouchers
The following are available to all micro businesses in Leitrim including retailers.
Brexit Mentoring Under the Brexit Mentor Programme, clients work with an experienced mentor on a one-to-one basis to identify key areas of exposure within their business. With advice and guidance from their mentor, clients develop strategies that are more robust, which address issues and maximise potential opportunities around Brexit.
Businesses are encouraged to contact the Leitrim LEO office immediately to book their one to one appointment. Appointments can also be booked online at www.localenterprise.ie/leitrim
Specialist training and consultancy Workshops:
Prepare Your Business for Customs
These one-day interactive workshops provide businesses with a better understanding of the potential impacts, formalities and procedures to be adopted when trading with a country which is outside the Single Market and Custom Unions (a ‘Third Country’). Open to all businesses, these workshops cover areas such as what export and import procedures apply, how tariffs work and how to correctly classify goods.
Brexit: Customs Insights course (online) The Customs Insights course helps businesses understand the key customs concepts, documentation and processes required to move goods from, to and through the UK. The online course, which is open to companies of all sizes, provides learners with a firm understanding of the customs implications for their business and the options from Revenue to make this process more efficient.
LEAN for Micro LEAN for Micro helps small businesses boost competitiveness, increase performance and profitability as well as building resilience within their companies. Clients can avail of five days of consultancy with a Lean Expert to help achieve cost reductions.
Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters (TAME) Grant The TAME grant supports clients to explore and develop new export market opportunities, such as participation in international trade fairs and development of export related marketing materials and websites. With a focus on helping companies to diversify, this scheme is a matched-funding opportunity with up to €2,500 available.
Trading Online Voucher Scheme The scheme helps small businesses trade more online to boost their sales and reach new markets. This scheme is a matched funding opportunity with up to €2,500 available, with training and further supports provided by Local Enterprise Offices. Funding can be used towards eligible costs such as digital marketing strategies, e-commerce websites or app development.
Further information
Circular Letter BC09-2020 Dated 8th December 2020
In relation to market surveillance of building materials, the Chief Executive and the Director of Service in relation to building control and the Building Control Officer were alerted to the fact that the local authority will continue to have a function in market surveillance of construction products and this may become more important due to Brexit. Dublin City Council is to take on a lead role in any additional programmes of work in this area in 2021.
Copy of the Circular http://leitrim-idocs/idocsNET/popup?fileid=331963&documentId=291709 "
Cllr Padraig Fallon stated he was pleased to see that the majority of the correspondence received was in relation to LEO and Border stimulus as this is very important for the region. He thanked Border Communities Against Brexit for their work around the issue of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the concerns with regards to an open border.
Cllr Justin Warnock outlined that the Manorhamilton Municipal Areas is the most affected within Leitrim and this municipal area should be to the fore in seeking funding for Brexit supports.