Context of Corporate Plan:

The following key developments have been considered in the preparation of the Corporate Plan…

National Spatial Strategy

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) represents the first national strategic planning framework for Ireland for the next 20 years. It identifies Sligo as an urban centre to be developed in an accelerated manner as a gateway city to drive the overall development of the North West. The Sligo & Environs Development Plan and the draft development plan for the county are designed to deliver on the National Spatial Strategy and to contribute to the objective of achieving more balanced regional development. Given the designation of the city as a ‘gateway’, the strategy has a particular significance for Sligo Local Authorities.

National Development Plan

The National Development Plan (NDP) aims to deliver over the period to 2006 and beyond, a programme of prioritized and structured investment in Ireland’s physical, economic and social infrastructure, in order to strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness, sustain continued economic and employment growth, foster balanced regional development and promote social inclusion. For Sligo, the National Development Plan represents a recognition by Government that investment in critical infrastructure is necessary to sustain balanced regional development. The NDP needs to be responded to through a dynamic planning and
development framework and investments prioritised and structure around a development programme.

Deepening Partnership in Local Government

Sligo Local Authorities have had a Workplace Partnership in place since 1999. Since its implementation a number of national and local initiatives have been implemented which have resulted in improvements in service delivery. Sligo local authorities continue to employ a Partnership facilitator who is working with the partnership Committee towards the achievement of the vision for partnership
in local authorities…

“to become the established way of doing business, involving management, unions and staff at all levels”.

The Workplace Partnership has again participated in the corporate planning process and will continue to support improved service delivery over the coming years.

Modernising government

The Government Modernisation programme, put in place a number of years ago has impacted positively on the community leadership role of local government, which includes the provision of services in a more efficient and effective manner and the delivery of high-quality services to the users of local authority services. The programme will continue to impact on the operation of the local authorities. Sligo local authorities are responsive to the needs of the public and seek to provide services not to the public, but for the public and with the public. The local authorities work not merely through traditional departments, but in the decentralised office at Tubbercurry and in partnership with user organisations, community groups and tenant’s organisations.

Service Indicators

Improvements to local authority service provision are being assessed through a set of 42 service indicators developed nationally. Service indicators have become a key deliverable on the commitments given in Sustaining Progress towards improved customer service. Sligo has signalled its commitment to the service indicators initiative, through reporting on performance and has developed a set of local indicators.  The indicators are used as part of the regular review process.  Throughout the life of this plan Sligo local authorities will continue to develop and report on these indicators.

Freedom of Information Act

Sligo local authorities continue to enact the requirements under this act and adequately record and respond to requests for information. Staff time has been assigned to deliver this service and ensure that transparency and openness in service delivery is promoted.