RENEWAL THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

Integration of Local Government and Local Development Systems

A key objective of the Government's Programme for Local Government Renewal is closer partnership between local authorities and local development bodies (Area partnerships, LEADER Groups and County/City Enterprise Boards) operating at local level. While these agencies were each doing good work, they had, to a certain extent, been operating in parallel. This reduced their effectiveness and led to duplication and overlap in some areas.

Against this background, the Government in June 1998 established an Interdepartmental Task Force on the Integration of Local Government and Local Development Systems, chaired by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. The Report of the Task Force on the Integration of Local Government and Local Development Systems (August 1998) was approved by Government and the Task Force has been mandated to continue in order to oversee implementation of the Report's recommendations.

One of the principal recommendations of the Task Force Report was the establishment of County/City Development Boards (CDBs) in each of the 29 county councils, and in each of the 5 major cities to bring about an integrated approach to the delivery of both State and local development services at local level. Each CDB is required to prepare and oversee the implementation of a ten year county/city Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development, which will provide the template guiding all public services and local development activities locally; in effect, bringing more coherence to the planning and delivery of services at local level. All thirty four Strategies for Economic, Social and Cultural Development have now been published.

Sligo County Development Board

Sligo County Development Board (CDB) had its inaugural meeting on the 27th March, 2000. Membership of the Board is drawn from Local Government, Local Development, State Agencies and the Social Partners including the Community and Voluntary Sector. By adopting this partnership approach it is intended that Sligo will develop in an integrated and cohesive manner with efforts being channelled to coordinate the provision of quality services. The Board’s primary task was to prepare a Strategy for Economic, Social and cultural development for County Sligo for the period 2002-2012. The Strategy is the framework within which all agencies operating at local level agree to work together for more effective delivery of public services.

The main functions of Sligo CDB are to:

• Encourage constructive co-operation and active participation by all members of the Board based on a partnership approach.
• Identify gaps and duplication in local service delivery.
• Oversee the implementation of the Integrated Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy for County Sligo (2002-2012) and revised priorities for the period mid 2009 – 2012.

Key goals of the CDB process include:

• The development of a critical mass of infrastructure.
• Developments in enterprise, industry, agriculture, retail and tourism that maximise opportunities and employment potential in an environmentally sustainable way.
• The development of a co-ordinated and multi-agency approach in tackling the structural and attitudinal barriers surrounding social inclusion.
• The promotion of Sligo’s cultural life whilst balancing accessibility and development with the need to protect and preserve the County’s heritage and unique environment.

Member Agencies of Sligo County Development Board Include:

Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council, HSE Northwest, FAS, Teagasc, County Sligo VEC, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Institute of Technology Sligo, St Angela’s College, Western Development Commission, Department of Education andScience, Department of Social and Family Affairs, An Garda Siochana, Failte Ireland Northwest, Sligo County Enterprise Board, Sligo Leader Partnership Co, Sligo County Childcare Committee, Sligo Chamber of Commerce, ICTU, Sligo County Community Forum, ICMSA, Environmental Representative.

Social Inclusion

The Social Inclusion Measures Group is a sub-group of the County Development Board (CDB). The functions of the group are to:

• Provide a forum for co-ordinating the delivery of social inclusion activities in County Sligo.
• Develop Integrated target group plans in line with DEHLG Circular LG04/04
• Monitor the implementation of the County Development Board Social Inclusion Strategy 2002-2012 and subsequent action plans.
• Monitor Sligo RAPID Programme 

SIM Membership

The membership of the SIM Working Group is determined initially by the County Development Board (CDB). The CDB identified organisations in Co. Sligo that are involved in delivering social inclusion work.

Economic Development

The role of the Economic Development Sub-Committee is to provide a focal point for Economic Promotion of County Sligo and to monitor the implementation of the County Development Board’s Economic Development Strategy. The following is an outline of the role of the Economic Development Sub-Committee:

• To maintain a positive attitude in the economic downturn;
• To develop an influencing role at local and regional levels;
• To remain strategic and influential and not become only another mechanism for service delivery;
• Co-operation/Co-ordination re: economic developments, including sharing between other County Development Boards and their respective economic sub-committees.
• Acting as the locally based inter-agency Task Force constituted in response to significant issues (e.g. closure of major businesses or development of specific economic initiatives) in line with any advice/guidelines from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
• Provide a focal point for economic promotion in the county.
• Provide a consultative mechanism to facilitate economic input to the drafting of the county/borough council development plan.
• Carry out such other relevant tasks as requested by the County Development Board, or national body.
• Have lead agencies for particular initiatives/actions as identified by the committee.