Community and Enterprise

SLIGO COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

The Community and Enterprise Department facilitates the County Development Board which is a key structure in the county charged with devising and overseeing the implementation of a Ten-year Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development of Co. Sligo 2002-2012.

Sligo County Development Board (SCDB) brings together representatives from Local Government and Local Development sectors, State Agencies operating at local level, and Social Partners, including the Community and Voluntary Sector. The purpose of the Board is to improve coordination amongst local service providers and to promote economic social and cultural development in County Sligo.

In 2009, the Board undertook a review of its ten year strategy and developed an Action Plan for delivery for the period mid 2009-2012. The Review takes into account the changing and emerging circumstances and important developments at a national, regional and local level. An emphasis has been placed on inter-agency co-operation and improved coordination of local public service delivery. Overarching Strategic actions of the Board include developing and improving the public profile for Sligo including the development of a Creative Sligo Brand.

 
The Board also developed its website www.sligocdb.ie to raise awareness of its many initiatives and examples of local agencies working together. This was launched by the Chair of the County Development Board in December 2009.

OTHER PRIORITIES INCLUDE:

1. Social inclusion and equality
2. Economic Development
3. Cultural Development
4. Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee – PEACE III Action Plan 2008-2010

SOCIAL INCLUSION AND EQUALITY

Social Inclusion Measures (SIM) Group

The Social Inclusion Measures Group is a statutory sub-committee of the County Development Board, facilitated by the Department of Community and Enterprise. It provides a forum for co-ordinating the delivery of social inclusion activities in County Sligo and to identify and address any gaps and overlaps between agencies in the delivery of social inclusion work within the county.

  
(L-R: Backrow) – Conor Corduff, Chris Gonley, Geraldine Timlin, Hugh MacConville (Chairperson), Aisling Smyth, Mary Hough, Darragh Severs, Trevor Sweetman.
(L-R: Front row) – Claire Galligan, Rita McNulty, Marcus Hufsky, Ann Donegan, Siobhan Gillen.  

COMHAIRLE NA NÓG

Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh is a County Sligo Development Board Project set up as part of the National Children’s Strategy (2000), Comhairle na nÓg provides a forum for young people to discuss local and national issues of relevance to them. In 2009, the County Development Board was awarded a grant of €20,000 by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for the development of the initiative. Comhairle na nÓg involves a working partnership between Sligo County Council’s Department of Community and Enterprise, Sligo County VEC and Foroige. Along with a Programme of activities the grant has enabled Foroige to employ a dedicated Youth Worker to work on the ground with young people to increase participation in the Comhairle na nÓg. Aims of the initiative include, creating a model of best practice, with emphasis placed on increasing the participation of young people through its AGM and in particular the participation of harder to reach young people. The initiative also aims to link Comhairle na nÓg into the policy making role of local agencies and in particular Local Government through structures such as Strategic Policy Committees (SPC’s) and Joint Policing Committees (JPC’s).

COMHAIRLE NA NOG AGM

The 8th Sligo Comhairle na nÓg AGM hosted by the County Sligo Development Board took place in the Clarion Hotel on the 13th October, 2009. 120 enthusiastic young people from schools and youth clubs/organisations from all over the county were present making it the highest attendance to date. Topics discussed in facilitated workshops included Alcohol and Drug Use along with an open debate on general youth issues which included Mental Health, Bullying, Road Safety and Youth Facilities. The topics raised will form part of the Comhairle na nÓg’s work plan for the coming year.

 

The information generated at the workshops will be compiled and reported to Sligo County Council along with other relevant agencies. On a national level, feedback from the Sligo AGM will be given to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) and to Dáil na nÓg with the hope of effecting positive change for young people in County Sligo.

  
- Comhairle na nÓg AGM 2009

The AGM also featured democratic elections to elect 25 young members to form Sligo Comhairle na nOg for a period of 2 years. During this term they act as the collective voice of young people in County Sligo by lobbying on a range of issues affecting young people today. The elected membership mirrors that of Sligo County Council including the number of Councillors and its electoral areas. Five members of the Comhairle na nÓg were also elected to represent Sligo at the Annual Dáil na nÓg Event in Dublin in March 2010. Elected members of Sligo County Council have been very supportive of the initiative. 

 
- First Vote at Comhairle na nÓg 2009 

INTERAGENCY TRAVELLER STRATEGY GROUP

The Interagency Traveller Strategy Group is responsible for monitoring progress on the implementation of the County Development Board’s Interagency Traveller Strategy for County Sligo 2007-2012. The purpose of this Strategic Plan is to enhance interagency co-operation in the delivery of service and supports to the Traveller Community. The Strategy focuses on a series of integrated actions under the following thematic areas: Accommodation, Health, Education Training and Employment, Childcare and Youth.

The actions outlined in the Strategy are funded mainly through the resources of the participating agencies and some actions involve the pooling together of resources of a number of agencies. The Group is convened by the Office of Community and Enterprise and chaired by the Director of Service, Community and Enterprise, Arts and the Environment.

SLIGO EDUCATION WORKING GROUP

In 2009 the County Development Board established Sligo Education Working Group, chaired by the Department of Education and Science and Sligo Education Centre. The Group is a sub-committee of the SIM Group.

Its focus is to:

• Identify gaps in service provision
• Promote collaboration among agencies dealing with early school leavers
• Identify areas of concern outside the influence of the relevant agencies where the CDB might be able to lend its support
• Develop community education and support
• Target support locally within schools
• Promote broader policy level responses to educational disadvantage.

In 2009, the group carried out an audit of services to early school leavers in the county, carried out a piece of research on Early School leaving in Co Sligo which included consultation with early school leavers. Both these pieces of work assisted the group in determining its priorities in targeting early school leaving in the county.

Members of the Group include: Dept of Education, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo County VEC, FAS, IT Sligo, St Angela’s College, Sligo County Council, Sligo Leadership Partnership Company (SLPCO), National Education Welfare Board, Youth-reach, Foroige, Youth Action Project Sligo (YAPS), Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development (RAPID), Sligo Travellers Support Group, Dept of Social and Family Affairs, Home Youth Liaison Service.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITY AND THE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD 

The role of the Local Authority in economic development is to enable the conditions for economic growth in relation to infrastructure, including broadband, land for industry use, energy, environmental protection as well as supporting research and education/training measures.

The role of the County Development Board in Economic Development is to co-ordinate the work of member organisations’ economic development activities and work on agreed ‘added value’ economic initiatives for the county and to promote innovation and entrepreneurship and to increase job opportunities.

Economic Development Sub-committee of the County Development Board (CDB)

An Economic Development Sub-Committee of the CDB was established in 2009 and its work involves member agencies taking on a shared leadership role in the economic promotion of County Sligo and managing the implementation of the economic actions in the CDB’s Priorities for mid 2009 – 2012. It also provides a focal point for the economic promotion of the county.

The work of the Sub-Committee is guided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and operates within the context of relevant national, regional and local policies, including:

• National Development Plan, National Spatial Strategy, Towards 2016, Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 
• Regional policies including those of Enterprise Ireland, IDA, FÁS, and the Western Development Commission
• Local policies including those of the Sligo County Enterprise Board, Sligo County Council, the Sligo County Development Plan and the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 

Economic Development Sub-Committee Members 2009

NAME	AGENCY/BODY
Shaun Purcell (Chairperson)	County Sligo Vocational Education Committee
Rita McNulty	Director of Services, Sligo County Council
Brian Scanlon	Sligo County Community Forum
Carole Brenan	Enterprise Ireland
Councillor Tony McLoughlin	Sligo County Council
Frank Fox	Department Education and Science
Hugh McConville	Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Ian Brannigan	Western Development Commission
Michelle Yewlett	IDA Ireland (Industrial Development Agency)
John Reilly	County Enterprise Board
Martin Henry	Teagasc (Agriculture and Food Development Authority)
Michael Quigley	Sligo LEADER Partnership Co Ltd
Miriam Scanlon	Trill FÁS (Irish National Training and Employment Authority)
Niall McEvoy	Institute of Technology Sligo
Noelle Cawley	Fáilte Ireland North West
Peter Greene	Employment and Business Organisations

POSITIVE RESPONSE AS 300 ATTEND JOBS TRAINING, EDUCATION AND ENTERPRISE PROMOTION EVENTS

Over the past seven months the Sligo County Development Board agencies joined forces and hosted four very successful Enterprise, Training and Education events. A total of over 300 people attended four events held in different areas of County Sligo aimed at helping people get back to work or to set up their own businesses.

In a unique venture, up to 20 local public service agencies joined forces to promote local enterprise, training and education across Sligo from venues in Enniscrone to Tubbercurry to Sligo town. The events provided people with the opportunity to seek advice in confidence from all the major agencies. Over 300 people attended the events to seek advice in confidence from all the major agencies.

The Chairman of the County Development Board’s’ Economic Development Sub-committee, Shaun Purcell CEO Sligo County VEC, said the success of these promotions was that they were a coordinated collaborative response to the needs of the community. He said “We in the County Development Board will continue to respond to the educational needs of the people of Sligo in terms of upskilling for people in employment and in providing courses for people who have recently been made redundant. The key here is creating opportunities and confidence.”

Niall McEvoy, Head of Innovation at the Institute of Technology, Sligo said “Now is a good time to refresh your skills or consider setting up a business. These One Stop Shop promotion events organised by the County Development Board are the place where you can discuss your career plans, where information on Enterprise, Training and Education is available and where you can find out first hand what supports are available to these wishing to start up their own business. 

Rita McNulty, Director of Services for Community, Enterprise, the Arts and Environmental Services with Sligo County Council said “At a time when local enterprises are facing unprecedented challenges, I believe a lot of people benefited from the opportunity to engage with the agencies to gain advice and information. Sligo is acknowledged as the key centre of economic growth in the Northwest and it is important that we provide the necessary supports to facilitate new and potential enterprise and also provide the necessary training and upskilling supports to the people of Sligo.” 

It is hoped to host further promotion events in 2010 to reach out to those people who need support in the current economic climate. 

ADDRESSING DEFICITS IN BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE IN COUNTY SLIGO IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

The provision of quality broadband throughout County Sligo was one of the priority actions agreed by the County Development Board (CDB) in its Action Plan 2009 – 2011. It was considered by the CDB that if County Sligo does not get a quality broadband service, available throughout the whole county, that it would have huge negative consequences for education, social and business development in the future for Sligo. 

There had been concerns for some time, as a result of a previous postal survey by the Council, that the rural parts of Sligo were not adequately served by Broadband as the existing coverage by wireless Broadband providers in the County did not cover the entire county, resulting in areas where the quality of the service was below an acceptable level or even non existent. Furthermore it was found that the maps of the National Broadband Scheme, announced in January 2009 by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, would not fully address the blackspots in coverage in rural Sligo. Alhough there were many Broadband companies operating in County Sligo, most were focused on the higher population density areas which had a significant negative effect on Broadband access to rural communities thus depriving these people of the same services that were available to urban dwellers. 

Following a successful application for funding to Co. Sligo LEADER Partnership Co. Ltd technical surveys were carried out to determine current Broadband coverage, quality and potential in the county.

SURECOM Network Solutions were commissioned to conduct these Benchmark Surveys and to map the area of service availability and throughput from the existing operators within the County. The survey is underway at present and involves the use of specialised drive testing tools and the survey will allow for a complete overview of the Broadband Services provided by Mobile Operators in County Sligo.

In addition, the Council in collaboration with the Institute of Technology Sligo carried out a Broadband survey of Fixed Lines (via Telephone Line). The public were asked to log onto their own PCs at their homes/businesses throughout the county so that the quality and speed of their broadband connection could be recorded. 

This is the first Broadband benchmark studies of its kind to be undertaken in any County and the results will be used as a measure of the effectiveness of the current Broadband Strategy in Sligo. 

Meetings have already taken place with senior officials and technical advisors from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources involving officials of the Community and Enterprise Section of the Council, the Institute of Technology, Sligo and SURECOM.

It is hoped that the survey results will influence the Department of Communications when they are rolling out the National Broadband Scheme in County Sligo.

INTERAGENCY TOURISM

Sligo County Development Board (CDB) is developing a county-wide tourism strategy as agreed in it Priority Action Plan for mid 2009-2012. The lead agency for this CDB priority is Sligo County Council, through the Community and Enterprise Department.

Under the auspices of the Economic Development Sub-Committee of the CDB, a Tourism Sub Group was formed with representatives from the relevant organisations and sectors, both public and private. The work of the Sub Group is building on the Failte Ireland North West Regional Strategy and is examining a range of areas including marketing, infrastructure, co-ordination, branding and promotion.

The Committee draws on the expertise of existing agencies and committees such as Failte Ireland North West, the Marketing Sligo Forum, Institute of Technology, Sligo, the Sligo Leader Partnership Co., Sligo Tourist Development Association, Irish Hotels Federation etc. The aim is to ensure that all relevant players with interest and expertise are contributing to a ‘joined-up’ tourism plan for County Sligo. It is expected that proposals and initiatives will be identified by the end of 2010 and presented to the CDB for consideration.

PEACE III

Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee, a sub-committee of Sligo County Development Board is currently delivering actions under the Peace III Programme in Sligo. This EU funded programme aims to address issues related to sectarianism and racism and to develop positive relations between minority and majority communities and across the border. Following the initial work on developing the Sligo Action Plan 2008-10 and the tendering and application process many of the funded projects got underway during 2009. All projects fit like jigsaw pieces into the overall Action Plan and the following project actions gives an indication of the variety of activities that can be undertaken:

• Inter-Faith 
• Diversity Training 
• New Communities 
• Women and Peace 
• Travellers and Peace 
• Sport and Peace 
• Rural Peace
• Urban Peace
• Conflict Resolution
• Youth Education
• Culture / Arts and Heritage
• Political / Historical

Phase 2 of the Peace III Programme will commence in 2011 and activities under a newly developed Action Plan will run from 2011-2013. Further information is available at www.sligocdb.ie

SLIGO VOLUNTEER CENTRE

Introduction:

Sligo Volunteer Centre is an information and referral service for voluntary activity in County Sligo. They offer advice to people who wish to volunteer and also offer support to “Not For Profit” organisations who wish to involve volunteers.

2009 continued to be a year of growth and expansion for Sligo Volunteer Centre. As is demonstrated in our figures, we continue to attract people to volunteer who have not previously been involved in volunteering. We see this as an important element of what we have to offer to the general public and indeed the sector as a whole. If we can continue to attract new people to volunteer it secures the future of participation and active citizenship.

In these changing and indeed challenging economic times, we continue to attract a high calibre of volunteer who have not only time, but a high level of skills to offer to Community and Voluntary organisations in County Sligo. Through the year ahead, we see an important role for the centre in harnessing and directing the skills and commitment of such volunteers who through circumstances have found themselves unemployed or underemployed.

Staff:

The staff and roles within the centre are as follows;

• Ms. Ciara Herity, Manager
• Ms. Alison Gately, Placement Officer (Part time post)
• Ms. Paula Naughton, Outreach and Development Officer (Part time post)

  
- The First Group of participants in Sligo Volunteer Centre’s Volunteer Management Training receiving their Certificates from MEP Marian Harkin.

2009 FACTS AND FIGURES

• 252 volunteers registered with our service and were offered the support of our Placement Officer and other staff members.
• 55% of those volunteers who registered in 2008 had never previously volunteered
• 36 Community and Voluntary Organisations registered with our service. Between these and previously registered organisations 153 volunteer vacancies were registered.
• From January 2009 to the end of December 2009 Sligo Volunteer Centre made 201 placements within a variety of Community and Voluntary Groups. In relation to the total numbers of volunteers who registered in 2009, the placement rate was 83%.
• All placements made in 2009 generated 11,513 voluntary hours to local groups.

PILOT PROGRAMMES

On occasion Sligo Volunteer Centre takes the lead on programmes to meet a specific area of need or to promote volunteering to a particular sector. In these cases we may be the main lead or support the appropriate Community and Voluntary Group in getting the project off the ground. One such programme was the Cross Border Activity Day in March 2008.

BRANCHING OUT TO VOLUNTEER

In 2009 Sligo Volunteer Centre held a “Branching Out to Volunteer” event in Tubbercurry. This event gave Sligo Volunteer Centre the opportunity to raise awareness of Volunteer Involving Organisations operating in the Tubbercurry area. It also gave these groups an opportunity to showcase their work and recruit further volunteers. It also assisted in raising the awareness of the services Sligo Volunteer Centre can offer to groups in the Tubbercurry area. This in turn increased the volunteering opportunities available for people interested in volunteering in Tubbercurry. Sligo Volunteer Centre placed a folder with all of the current volunteer opportunities in Tubbercurry Library, which will continue to provide the people of South Sligo with up to date information about all of the opportunities available both in Tubbercurry and around the county. This event was a great success and Sligo Volunteer Centre would hope to repeat this type of event throughout Sligo Town and county. 

 
- Branching out to Volunteer Tree 

 
- Paula Naughton presenting the Volunteer Opportunities to Tubbercurry Library 

GIVE IT A SWIRL DAY – THE NATIONAL DAY OF VOLUNTEERING 2009

Volunteers all around the County came out in force for the various local projects as part of Give it a Swirl Day 2009 - the National Day of Volunteering. Give it a Swirl is an initiative of Volunteers Centres Ireland who encourage as many projects as possible to be rolled out throughout the country. Give It a Swirl- the National Day of Volunteering is designed to provide people of all ages with an opportunity to get involved locally and try their hand at something new. Sligo Volunteer Centre along with local communities was involved in several projects in Sligo town and county. 

CLEAN UP COLLOONEY DAY

12 volunteers came out in force on Saturday 26th September for Give it a Swirl Day with Collooney Tidy Towns. All of the volunteers are to be complimented for their hard work on the day. Paula Naughton, Sligo Volunteer Centre’s Outreach and Development Officer, presented all the volunteers who took part with certificates to acknowledge their participation in the event. The work that was carried out included litter picking, weeding and bulb and flower planting for next year. 

   
- Volunteers getting stuck into the tasks at hand 

HEALTH/THERAPY TASTER SESSIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE AS PART OF POSITIVE AGEING WEEK

Tuesday 29th September in Sligo and Wednesday 30th September in Tubbercurry saw 20 holistic therapists provide taster treatments for older people at the Positive Ageing Health and Beauty Event. Therapists along with students from North Connacht College provided Holistic Treatments to older people from Sligo Town and around the county. Feedback from therapists and recipients was excellent! Positive Ageing Week is a week of events organised by the Sligo LEADER Partnership and other agencies to focus on the positive aspects of ageing and to promote services available to older people.

   
- People from a range of active age groups availing of the therapies offered by volunteers 

TECHNOLOGY DAY FOR OLDER PEOPLE AS PART OF POSITIVE AGEING WEEK

38 volunteers kindly gave of their time and expertise to support Older Person’s in learning about new technologies. The volunteers involved included pupils from the Sligo Grammar School and St Attracta’s in Tubbercurry. Volunteers were on hand to provide basic skills on how to use the internet, how to look up holiday offers, set up an e-mail account, e-mail family and friends and pay bills and much more. This event proved a great success and is a positive step towards narrowing the gap in knowledge of older persons. 

    
- Some GIAS Participants and Volunteers enjoying their Technology Day 

SLIGO TRAVELLERS SUPPORT GROUP INTERCULTURAL SPORTS DAY

Saturday 17th October saw the Sligo Travellers Support Group Intercultural Sports Day take place. The sun shone brightly on all of the athletes and the volunteers who took part in the Intercultural Sports Day at IT Sligo’s Sports grounds. 9 Volunteers coached and assisted participants and put them through their paces through to the finishing line. The day proved to be a great success and was enjoyed by all who took part. It was great to see children from all of our various communities in Sligo enjoying themselves together.

LINKAGES IN THE WIDER SLIGO COMMUNITY

Sligo Volunteer Centre strives to make invaluable links within the community in which we work. Where possible and relevant to our goals we are happy to provide our expertise and input around volunteerism to local committees and initiatives. Below are listed some of the committees on which we are represented and also some activities to which we have contributed.

Pride of Place Competition

Each year Sligo Volunteer Centre sits on the assessment panel for these awards for Sligo County Council. The awards are for communities who through volunteerism and community spirit demonstrate a pride in their community.

Older Persons Forum

This forum is for a collective approach to the provision of services for older people in Sligo. Sligo Volunteer Centre is represented on this forum which is run by Sligo LEADER Partnership Company.

Care and Repair Scheme

Out of the Older Persons Forum, a desire to host a Care and Repair Scheme in Sligo arose. The scheme will allow older people to access both a “Minor Household Repair” service as well as a “Trades Referral Service”. The services will be provided by volunteers. Sligo Volunteer Centre is involved as part of a steering committee that is currently looking at the development of the scheme in Sligo. 

Big Brother Big Sister Advisory Committee: 

The Big Brother Big Sister Programme is managed by Foroige. It involvesan adult volunteer being “buddied” with a young person in need of extra support or mentoring. Sligo Volunteer Centre were asked to sit on this advisory committee to contribute towards ideas in relation to recruitment, retention and selection of volunteers for the programme. 

Community Development Sub committee:

The committee is a Sub Committee of Sligo LEADER Partnership Company. The role of the committee is as a policy, review and discussion forum at County level for key stakeholders in the development of appropriate responses on a collaborative basis in strategic areas of concern to the Social Inclusion Programme. Sligo Volunteer Centre currently sits on this committee and continues to do so into 2010. 

SLIGO COUNTY COMMUNITY FORUM

Introduction:

The Sligo County Community Forum was established in 2000 as a voice for the community and voluntary sector in County Sligo. With a registered membership of over 660 groups, the Forum acts as a network in County Sligo to enable the Community and Voluntary sector to meet and address common issues and concerns, and put forward those views at a county level.

The Forum Executive met ten times during 2009. A review of minutes highlights some of the key issues of concern at Forum meetings during the year

• Governance Issues
• Nominations of Executive members to other boards
• Nominations of members to the Strategic Policy Committees
• Overseeing the work of the support worker
• Reviewing and amending the Constitution
• Funding and tendering opportunities
• Advocacy work on community ‘cuts’ and portrayal of ethnic minorities in the Press
• Charitable Status
• Establishing local fora

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY

E-Bulletin

In January 2009 the Forum launched its E-Bulletin for community and voluntary organisations in County Sligo. This has proved to be a very successful initiative with over 400 groups picking up the E-bulletin every month, and many groups reporting back that they send it on to others. The E-bulletin is sent out around the first week of every month.

Training for Membership Groups

Between April and July 2009 four training sessions were delivered for workers and volunteers involved with community and voluntary organisations in County Sligo. All of the training events were very successful, with very positive feedback on the evaluation forms. On average ten people attended each session and all of the training sessions were designed and delivered by Claire Galligan, Development Consultant to the Forum.

The training sessions delivered were:

• Developing Presentation Skills: This was a half day session held in St. Anne’s Community Centre in Sligo.
• Developing Leadership Skills: This was a full day session held in Tubbercurry.
• Carrying out a community needs analysis: This was a full day session held in the Northside Community Centre.
• Filling out funding applications: Evening session held in Easkey.

Forum Representation on other structures

A core role of the Sligo County Community Forum is to act as a voice for the community and voluntary sector on various local, regional and national boards and local government structures. During 2009, executive members from the forum actively participated on 20 different structures:

Executive members from the forum

County Development Board [ cg1 ]	Tom Mc Gettrick and Brian Scanlon (re-nominated 2009)
Social Inclusion Measures Groups (SIM)	Claire Galligan (nominated 2009)
Strategic Policy Committee: Economic Development and Planning Policy	Chris Davis (nominated 2009)
Strategic Policy Committee: Environmental Policy	Brendan Queenan (re-nominated 2009)
Strategic Policy Committee: Transportation and Infrastructural Policy	Michael Rochford (re-nominated 2009)
Strategic Policy Committee: Housing Policy/Social and Cultural Development	Sharon Boles (re-nominated 2009)
Sligo County Childcare Committee	Margaret Conlon (re-nominated 2009)
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership	Gerald O’Connor
North West Regional Drugs Task Force	Margaret Conlon
Sligo Joint Policing Committee Membership	nomination 2009: Cluid Housing Association
Sligo Heritage Committee	Larry Mullin
Sligo Volunteer Centre	Larry Mullin
West=on=Track	Joe Walsh
HSE Regional Suicide Working Group	Gerald O’Connor
Western River Basin District Advisory Council	Michael Rochford
County Sligo VEC	Sharon Boles (re-nominated 2009)
Western Alliance Forum	Thomas Mc Gettrick
Border Area Forum	Thomas Mc Gettrick
Irish National Community and Voluntary Forum	Sharon Boles and Thomas Mc Gettrick (re-nominated 2009)
Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh	Larry Mullin

ADVOCACY

In October 2009 the Forum presented its pre-budget submission to the Government. As well as focusing on the cuts that were being proposed to community and voluntary organisations, the submission identified the need to retain community employment schemes for community and voluntary organisations, retention of the rural social scheme and the minimisation of the impact of cuts on children and families, especially those dependent on social welfare.

In October 2009, Sligo County Council invited submissions for its new proposed Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) scheme for 2010-2014. Sligo County Community Forum submitted a proposal outlining the need to retain eight seats for the community and voluntary sector, 2 on each SPC. All seats requested were allocated by Sligo County Council in the new SPC scheme.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

From the outset, in 2009, Sligo County Community Forum had a clear goal to enhance their communications with their membership and the wider community in County Sligo.

NEWSLETTERS

Sligo Forum produced two newsletters in 2009, one in April and one in November. Both newsletters were 8 pages and were distributed by post to the 640 groups who are members of the County Forum. 

WEBSITE AND WEBSITE LAUNCH

Over 2009 the Forum website www.sligocommunityforum.com was developed. Training was undertaken by the support worker and the administrator to update the site on a regular basis and this has been ongoing. Very positive feedback to the website has been received and there is evidence that people ‘check it out’ now and again to see what the Forum is up to.

In September Sligo Forum launched its website at the council chamber. 25 people were in attendance. The website was officially launched by the Cathaoirleach of the County Council, Councillor Gerry Murray.

 
- Margaret Conlon, Chairperson, speaking at the launch 

 
- Forum members and guests at website launch 

PRESS RELEASES

The local press published seven of the press releases produced by the Forum in 2009. The Forum also utilised the ‘notes’ pages to highlight events and meetings happening in different areas.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

Over the course of 2009, the Sligo County Community Forum has collaborated with a number of agencies and organisations:

• Application for Anti-poverty awareness seminar made with the Social Inclusion Measures Group (SIM) of the County Development Board for 2010: This application was made to highlight the issues facing those in poverty and the policy response. Action being led by Sligo County Community Forum.
• Newsletter focusing on volunteerism: collaboration with Sligo Volunteer Centre to compile the second newsletter 
• Collaboration with Sligo County Council, Community and Enterprise and Sligo Leader in undertaking a Broadband Survey of County Sligo to measure the level of service in the county and advocate for better broadband infrastructure for rural areas. 
• Supported St. Angela’s College to promote community support training initiatives and assesses interest for them in the project through the Forum e-database.

NEW CONSTITUTION

Following a process of negotiation, in December 2009 a new constitution was adopted by the Forum executive. The main changes made in the constitution are:

• 4 representatives from each Local Electoral Area in the County can be nominated to the Executive
• Nominations to the County Community Forum will take place every four years, no more than 6 months after the council elections (nominations to the Forum will take place early in 2010)
• Three out of 4 representatives in each area and all sectoral representatives will be required to resign their seats before a new nomination process takes place 
• Elections of officers within the Executive will take place annually at an AGM

REVIVING LOCAL AREA FORA

It was a goal of the Chairperson in 2009 that local fora would be revitalised. Meetings were held in each of the forum areas in late 2009. There was a small attendance at each meeting. The Forum is currently reviewing its communication strategy with local areas.

DIVERSITY TRAINING

In March 2009 Sligo County Community Forum in association with Claire Galligan Consultancy submitted a tender proposal to the Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee to carry out a ‘Diversity Training’ Project.

The partnership was successful in their bid. In 2009 work on the project began. The Forum Executive participated in ‘Anti-Racism and Intercultural Training’facilitated by Siobhan Molloy. A number of other events and programmes will be taking place as part of the Diversity Training Project in 2010.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

The ongoing work of managing accounts, updating the Forum membership database, filing, taking minutes and all of the associated administration work has been ongoing throughout the year. The Forum has been very lucky in having the support the FAS Community Employment Scheme. Through this they have employed Catherine Brennan who has been a major asset to the Forum in carrying out all of its administration work.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

In 2009, Sligo County Council became a sponsor of the Junior Achievement Ireland Programme. Junior Achievement is a voluntary organisation which works with public and private organisations throughout Ireland offering schools a range of enterprise and science programmes for students aged 5-18 years. The aims of Junior Achievement are to teach enterprise skills to young people and to target those at risk of early school leaving. Programmes are delivered in primary and secondary schools by trained volunteers from participating organisations with support from the teacher. Nine volunteers from both Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council participated in and delivered the programme during the year.

Students create and run viable businesses as part of Junior Achievement’s “Company Programme”. On completion, they are invited to enter the National Company Competition. The winning teams from each of the Regional Finals are selected to represent their schools in the National Final – the RDS Student Innovation Awards which took place on the 27th and 28th of April 2009. One of Sligo’s secondary schools was the winning team who went on to become the overall winners of the RDS Student innovation Awards 2009. They represented Ireland in the Junior Achievement European Company of the Year Competition 2009 in Rotterdam on 2nd and 5th of July 2009.

ABOUT RAPID

The RAPID Programme (Revitalising Areas through Planning Investment and Development) was launched in 2002 by the Minister for State for Local Development Eoin Ryan T.D. The RAPID Programme is now managed by Pobal under the auspice of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. There are now 51 areas in cities and towns around Ireland involved in the RAPID Programme, including the following parts of Sligo Town:

1. Cranmore Estate
2. Forthill Estate / Cartron Estate
3. Garavogue Villas / Doorly Park
4. St. Joseph’s Terrace / St. Brigid’s Place / Pilkington Terrace
5. Maugheraboy / Jinks Avenue / Tracey Avenue

 
- Climbing Wall at Doorly Park – provided by RAPID Dormant Accounts Funding in 2009 

The RAPID Programme has three specific objectives:

1. To develop a specific integrated policy focus across the Social Inclusion Measures identified in the National Development Plan directed at the social groups who are excluded, especially where cumulative disadvantage is pervasive. 
2. To tackle, in particular, the spatial concentration of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion within the 51 identified designated disadvantaged areas.
3. To stem the social and economic costs of social exclusion by developing a range of integrated measures such that the physical, social and community infrastructure of designated communities is developed to allow them harness the social capital and capacity necessary for economic and community development. 

The following Principles underpin the implementation of the programme:

• Community Participation and Local Ownership
• Promotion of Strategic Planning
• Co-ordination of provision of State Services
• Targeting of additional services, investment and facilities
• Building on Existing Structures
• Complementing existing initiatives

SLIGO RAPID PROGRAMME

A Focus on Disadvantage

Vision:

“For communities and agencies to work together with a common purpose to eliminate disadvantage within the five RAPID areas of Sligo” The RAPID Programme in Sligo is co-ordinated at a local level by Pamela Andison based in the Community and Enterprise Department and by an Area Implementation Team comprising of the following agencies – FÁS, VEC, Dept Social and Family Affairs, Sligo LEADER Partnership Company, Health Services Executive, Northside Community Resource Centre, Sligo Family Centre, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo Borough Council, Sligo County Council, Garda Siochana and three community representatives representing the RAPID communities. The remit of the Area Implementation Team (AIT) is to take responsibility for the planning and implementation of the programme locally. The RAPID Programme is monitored by the City/County Social Inclusion Measure (SIM) group to ensure that all plans developed are fully integrated with the CDB and agency strategies.

Achievements of Sligo RAPID Programme to date

The RAPID Programme in Sligo over the past year has achieved many tangible and intangible results through the work and commitment of the Area Implementation Team to developing the programme at a local level.

The RAPID Local Area Plan 2008-2012 sets out the objectives and actions to be covered by the AIT in this period. This plan features community consultation, analysis of statistical data gathered from State and Voluntary agencies and development of thematic Action Plans.

The Plan features a number of Strategic Themes:

• Health and Family Support
• Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour
• Youth Support
• Education
• Employment and Training
• Physical Environment.

Under each theme, an action plan has been developed and this is implemented by sub-groups.

PROJECTS IN RAPID AREAS

Dormant Accounts Funding in 2009 (DAF)

A number of applications were successful under the RAPID Additionality Fund in 2009 including:

1. Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership 1 – provision of Climbing Wall at Doorly Park in partnership with Sligo Borough Council; Provision of specialist sports wheelchairs for use when playing basketball, netball etc.
2. Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership 2 (SSRP) – The sporting programmes funded in 2008 and 2009 have been very successful in engaging young people from disadvantaged areas in a variety of sports including Swimming, Boxing, Dance, Gaelic Football, Angling and Court Games. Many of these sports were a new and exciting experience for the children. Without the RAPID funding it would not have been possible to run these activities at an affordable rate. SSRP, community organisations and sporting clubs have worked very closely in rolling out the various programmes and this has added significantly to the success of the sporting programmes to date. 
3. MCR Community Centre was awarded funding in 2009 to develop a Lone Parents Group. This programme will be delivered in 2010 and based at the Centre. This will be a holistic programme that is inclusive of support, advocacy and based on personal and community development. The types of courses included will be Child Development, Caring for Children, Basic Computer Skills, Home Management/Budgeting, Personal Development, Assertiveness, Body and Soul Care, Communications and Health and Fitness.
4. Glenview Stars Youth Soccer Club – as a result of a successful application to the RAPID Additionality Dormant Accounts Fund, Glenview Stars were awarded funds to upgrade the changing room facilities on the training ground at Forthill. This has helped them to increase their membership and cater to both home and visiting teams when they have their matches.

COMMUNITY SAFETY TASKFORCE

The RAPID Co-ordinator convened this group which involves Gardai, Fire Officers, Housing Staff, Cranmore Regeneration Staff, County Veterinary Officer and community and voluntary group members in designing solutions to issues affecting the RAPID estates. An extensive action plan has been developed to progress initiatives in this area.

• Illegal Money-lending Group – arising out of the Community Safety Taskforce, this group works in the serious issue of money-lending which badly affects the lives of some residents in Sligo Town. Through community education, advocacy, awareness raising and referral to the various advice and enforcement agencies, the group is tackling this issue. Group membership includes RAPID, Money Advice and Budgeting Service, Credit Union, Sligo Social Services, Sligo Gardai, St Vincent de Paul, Cranmore Regeneration Project, community groups, local residents and business owners. 

PEACE III RAPID URBAN COLLECTIVE

Nine different community and voluntary organisations have come together under the RAPID umbrella to promote anti-sectarian, anti-racist and reconciliatory practice through sports, youth activities, arts and education work. The involvement of Sligo residents in cross-border and single identity work during 2009-2010 has enriched the experiences of several hundred participants of all ages, ethnicities and social backgrounds in fulfilment of the aims of the Sligo Peace III Taskforce Action Plan. The success of this initiative was acknowledged nationally when the Collective was asked to contribute to a Good Practice DVD featuring other Peace III funded projects.

The six projects comprising the RAPID Urban Collective are:

Touch the Sky Performance Group involving the Model Arts and Niland Gallery and RehabCare is a cross-border artistic political discussion project involving persons with a disability from Sligo and Northern Ireland and culminating in a piece of work for public exhibition in 2010.

Win Together is a sports-themed project operated by Sligo Immigrant Organisation, working to engage with members of the immigrant worker community, Irish adults and members of the many ethnic groups based in Sligo Town. This project involves soccer and volleyball tournaments which integrate rather than divide people by nationality and ethnicity and in so doing, raise issues of racism and prejudice through lively discussion and social contact. This sport event, both volleyball and football tournaments, aims to fight racism through team working and fair competition.

Youth Boxing, Dance and Equestrian Project organised by Sligo Traveller Support Group involves Travellers from North and South of Ireland with settled communities using the cultural traditions of boxing and horsemanship and contemporary dance to celebrate difference.

Schools Cross-Border Initiative, facilitated by Sligo Education Centre, is an educational initiative in which parents, schoolchildren and teachers from Sligo Town meet with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to work towards common goals and engage in dialogue and activities about cultural, national and religious difference. There are cross-border residentials, outdoor pursuits and team-building to help learn about each other’s cultures and undergo training in conflict resolution and management.

Soccer – the Beautiful Game is a project managed jointly by MCR Community Centre and Cranmore Community Co-operative and involves a diverse range of young people from these RAPID areas and Globe House coming together to share their common passion for football. While learning soccer skills and team playing, the young people are also looking at issues that can bring conflict to the game such as sectarianism, lack of respect for difference and racism.

Inter-cultural Training Programme – Positive Relations
As part of the Peace III RAPID Urban Collective, Sligo Northside CDP and Resource Centre is providing an Intercultural Training Programme. The aim of the training is to enable participants to challenge racism and sectarianism and other negative attitudes which can result in discriminatory practices against minority groups and individuals. The objectives are to deliver a programme which examines concepts and issues of diversity, equality, cultural difference, sedentarism, racism and sectarianism and which promotes an understanding of life from the perspective of members of minority groups.

Festival
The culmination of the 2009-2010 work undertaken by the Urban Collective under the umbrella of the RAPID Programme, will be a Festival to showcase the performances and new skills learned as a result of the various endeavours. This will take place in autumn 2010.

RAPID ECO-BAGS PROJECT

One of former Mayor Veronica Cawley’s last official functions in 2009 involved presenting prizes to the winners of the RAPID Eco Bag competition. The event was held in the Mayor’s Parlour in City Hall and was the culmination of the environmentally-themed design competition organised through the schools in the RAPID areas of Sligo. RAPID operates in five areas of Sligo City to reduce disadvantage and promote investment, agency and community co-operation and strategic planning.

The competition was promoted around all of the schools servicing RAPID areas of Sligo City and was a roaring success with over 200 entries being received. The four winning designs are reproduced on the reusable shopping bag which has been issued to all households in the RAPID areas to promote environmental issues. Sligo Institute of Technology student, Fintan Smith, worked on this competition as part of his student placement within the County Council. All of the entries, including the winning designs, were on display during June 2009 in the foyer of the City Hall.

The four winners, who were presented with prizes by Mayor Cawley, were: Chloe Scanlon from Our Lady of Mercy National School, Paris Sheridan from St Edward’s National School, Aisling Foley from Mercy College, Deáglán Connolly-Bree of Sligo School Project.

The Eco Bag competition was organized and funded through Sligo County Council Environmental Section Anti-Litter/Anti-Graffiti Grants.

Mayor Cawley spoke about “the important messages that were being conveyed through the entries in the competition – “Save energy”, “Keep Sligo Green”, and “Reduce Litter” – environmental messages that our young people believe in and which every one of us should accept. It is the role of the wider community to continue with our task of promoting the need for protecting and preserving our unique environment. Our younger generation has grasped the wider significance of this issue, and through their example my hope is that the people of Sligo will follow in their footsteps.”

 
- Eco bag winners and parents with Councillor Veronica Cawley

  
- Design for Eco bag competition by Aisling Foley

Contact details for Sligo RAPID Programme are:

RAPID Co-ordinator Pamela Andison
Community, Enterprise and Arts Section,
Sligo County Council, Sligo Development Centre,
Cleveragh Road, Sligo.

Telephone: 071 9111805
Email: pandison@sligococo.ie

SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE

Background:

Joint Policing Committees were established under Section 36 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. They offer local authority elected members, An Garda Síochána, members of the Public and members of the Oireachtas, the opportunity to make a significant impact on the quality of life within communities, by working together as a collective body. A Joint Policing Committee was established in the Sligo County Council Administrative Area in December 2008.

Membership of the Sligo County Council Joint Policing Committees:

• 13 local authority elected members with at least 2 from each local electoral area. Each political grouping on the County Council must be represented on the JPC. The Cathaoirleach is an ex-officio member.
• 5 members of the Oireachtas. Each political grouping represented by Oireachtas members should have representation among the five.
• The County Manager who is an ex-officio member and a person nominated by him.
• 2 Garda officers nominated by the Commissioner and accompanied by other Garda Officers as need arises.
• 3 persons representing the Community and Voluntary sector in the county.

Functions of the JPC:

To serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and recommendation on matters affecting the policing of the Sligo County Council administrative area by:

1. Keeping under review:
   • levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in that area.
   • factors underlying and contributing to the levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area.
2. Advising the Local Authority and the Gardaí on how best they might perform their functions.
3. Arranging and hosting public meetings concerning matters affecting the policing of the Local Authority’s administrative area.

In accordance with the JPC guidelines an annual work plan must be developed and agreed by the members. A priority action of the 2009 Work Programme was the establishment of three sub committees as follows:

1. Road Safety
   A Road Safety Road Show is planned for October 2010 to highlight the dangers and consequences to young people of driving without due care.
2. Rural Isolation / Older People
   The establishment of a Friendly Call Service is being researched by this group; this is a free telephone service for older people offering a telephone call one to two mornings per week to check in with people.
3. Drug and Alcohol Abuse
   Working with the North West Alcohol Forum and North West Regional Drugs Taskforce around raising awareness of this issue and the interventions/help available.

The Joint Policing Committee is a facilitating body and a forum for discussion. It engages with local communities to the greatest degree possible as they are an important resource in tackling many of the issues currently being addressed by the Sligo County Council Joint Policing Committee.

  
- Members of the Sligo County Council Joint Policing Committee 

PLAY and RECREATION – COUNTY PLAY DAY

Sunday the 5th July saw Doorly Park taken over by children and families for County Play Day, part of the National Play Day initiative. This initiative is promoted by the National Play and Recreation Resource Centre (NPRRC), the key aim of which is to promote traditional games and activities and give all children an opportunity to take part.

A collection of events relating to play and sports was organised through collaboration between Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council, Sligo County Childcare Committee and Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership. Representatives from the Rugby Club and Sligo Rovers were on hand to provide outdoor sporting and play activities. For the little ones, activities such as arts and crafts, messy play and face painters were provided. Story telling has always been a huge tradition in Ireland and the children and parents were treated to a wonderful story telling event provided by Sligo Library services.

One of the highlights of the day was the arrival of the Fire Engine, and the fire fighters kept the attention of all children, big and small, with demonstrations of fire hoses and the workings of the engine. The event closed with races - parents and children participated in the many races from 100mtres sprint to sack races. In excess of 80 families participated in the day.

   

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

In 2009, Sligo County Council became a sponsor of the Junior Achievement Ireland Programme. Junior Achievement is a voluntary organization which works with public and private organisations throughout Ireland offering schools a range of 17 enterprise and science programmes for students aged 5-18 years. The aims of Junior Achievement are to teach enterprise skills to young people and to target those at risk of early school leaving. Programmes are delivered in primary and secondary schools by trained volunteers from participating organizations with support from the teacher. Nine volunteers from both Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council participated in and delivered the programme during the year.

 
- Cathaoirleach Councillor Gerry Murray with staff from Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council who participated in and delivered the Junior Achievement programme

TIDY TOWNS

Sligo County Council has worked in partnership with Tidy Towns groups providing advice and financial support for a long number of years. This relationship has led to:

• a steady increase in group marks
• improvements in the physical enhancement works in towns and villages
• the promotion of community development.

Sligo County Council has run a local Tidy Towns competition for the past number of years and judging for the 2009 competition took place in early May with the judging panel comprising of staff from various departments within the Council. There were 114 entries from across the county including entries from schools and local businesses. A Special Merit Award was given to Mrs. Violet Henry, in recognition of all her hard work over many years in keeping the roadside, adjacent to her house, at Lugnadiffa filled with flowers and shrubs and enhancing the countryside.

Tidy Towns Committees who entered the National Tidy Towns Competition were also eligible for the Tidy Towns Grants Scheme to assist their on-going activities. Members of Tidy Towns Committees also attended a free workshop on Wildlife and Natural Amenities, arranged by Sligo County Council, in the National Parks and Wildlife offices in Ballinafad.

PRIDE OF PLACE 2009

The Pride of Place Competition, a Co-operation Ireland competition, now in its 7th year recognises and celebrates the vital contributions that community groups make to society. The focus is on people coming together to shape, change and enjoy all that is good about their local area. It differs from other similar projects in that they specifically recognise the involvement of the local community in all aspects of rural and urban life including regeneration projects, promoting social inclusion and cohesion and the promotion of heritage and environmental awareness. Nominations are made by Local Authorities, who see at first hand what is being carried out at local level.

Sligo County Council in co-operation with Sligo Borough Council once again nominated groups to represent Sligo in the All Island competition. Sligo has been awarded prizes and has been shortlisted for prizes every year since its first entries in 2004.

In 2009 achieved the following results:

• Ballintogher Community Enterprises - Runner up - Category 1 Population 0-200
• The C.R.I.B. Youth Project and Health Café - Runner up - Single Issue Category – Youth
• Cranmore Community Co-operative Society - Runner up - Housing Estate Category
• Belt Torc Co. Ltd - Shortlisted – Single Issue Category – Heritage

COMMUNITY and VOLUNTARY SECTOR - GENERAL GRANT SCHEME 2009

The Community and Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme 2009 attracted 133 valid applications from a wide and varied selection of Community and Voluntary Organisations working in County Sligo.

In 2009, the Scheme was divided into two categories:-

1. Community and Voluntary Sector General Grant 70 applications
2.  Burial Ground General Grant 63 applications

1. Community and Voluntary Sector General Grant
   The aim of this Grant Scheme is to support and encourage the work and activities of Community and Voluntary Organisations throughout the County.
   A total of 70 applications were received and Groups were awarded grants of between €200 and €1500.
2. Burial Ground General Grant
   The aim of this Grant Scheme is to support and encourage the work and activities of Burial Ground Committees who carry out excellent work in the upkeep and maintenance of their burial grounds. A total of 63 applications were received. Grant aid of €400 was given to county based burial ground committees.