9.0 Wider Institutional Arrangements

• As a member and facilitator of Sligo County Development Board (CDB), Sligo Local Authorities participate in the CDB Gateway Working Group. This group is working to support Sligo’s development as a Gateway. Actions include the development and implementation of strategies for enterprise, marketing and information.
• Sligo Local Authorities participate as members of the Border and Border Midland and Western Regional Authorities. These authorities have a number of functions including:
  
  • Monitoring the general impact of all EU Programmes under the National Development Plan / Community Support Framework in the Border, Midland and Western Region.
  • Promoting co-ordination of the provision of public services in the region.
  • In matters relating to the provision of public services in the region they work to
    1.  promote co-ordination and, where appropriate, co-operation, joint action, joint arrangements, agreements, communication or consultation between Local Authorities or other public authorities in the region or between such authorities of other regions.
    2. promote co-ordination, consistency and compatibility with programmes, plans policies, proposals or objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government.
• Sligo Local Authorities have participated in the preparation of the Fáilte Ireland North-West Regional Plan. This involvement has ensured that cultural tourism is one of the main strategies for the region.
• Sligo Local Authorities are working with the Border Regional Authority to identify spatial development objectives and economic opportunities to address the difficulties associated with encouraging population growth and sustainable economic development in the region in line with the model provided by the NSS and the Border Regional Planning Guidelines.

As a designated Gateway within the Border region, recognition has been given to the all-island spatial planning context of the NSS and the Northern Ireland “Shaping our Future” strategy document. Within this context, Sligo Local Authorities are active participants at cross-border level.

• As a member of ICBAN, the authorities have, and continue to participate in the Spatial Planning Forum. This forum works within a policy context to build a cohesive vision for the Central Border Area while responding imaginatively to drivers of change. The objective is to ensure that settlements in the region remain vibrant and invigorated making them more attractive and functional for all.
• In addition Sligo Local Authorities have developed a number of other key relationships with District Councils in Northern Ireland and Scotland. This includes joint lobbying and the delivery of key strategic cross-border projects with Omagh District Council focusing on three key areas:

  • Collaborative working between public bodies;
  • Economic and Enterprise Development;
  • Community and Social Development.

The authorities are involved in:

• The delivery of a Town Centre Management proposal in partnership with Ballymena, Coleraine and Larne Borough Councils in Northern Ireland and South Ayrshire and Stirling Councils in Scotland. This project clearly demonstrates regional co-operation for enterprise by promoting innovation and growth in new and existing businesses, facilitating investment in infrastructure for enterprise development and creating clusters and networks that encourage cross-border co-operation.
• Sligo Local Authorities are participating in a 3-Centred Incubation (3C) project in collaboration with Belfast City Council and North Down Borough Council. This project supports the creation of new businesses in the creative and knowledge industries in the three areas. The project will act as a focus and catalyst for entrepreneurial activity with particular emphasis on growth potential opportunities for creative industries within the Cultural Quarter.
• Sligo Local Authorities working in partnership with North Down Borough Council, Sligo County Enterprise Board and the Sustainable Building Association (UK), aim to provide inspiration and expertise in the use of environmental design, products and materials to facilitate the reduction in the region’s carbon footprint and its impact on climate change.

9.1 Relationship between implementation of the GIF proposal and wider arrangements

The wider arrangements in place will support the delivery of the GIF projects by enhancing the impact of the proposed actions. Gateway designation has become the catalyst for a number of initiatives to ensure that the potential of Sligo is achieved. Through the GIF, Sligo Local Authorities are providing significant investment in the infrastructure of Sligo and the wider relationships developed are working to ensure that the investment provides additional benefit to the city. Focused enterprise strategies will deliver opportunities for living and working in the city while the Town Centre Management approach will promote the long term sustainability of the urban core. Associated with this, some additional funding is being achieved for elements of the GIF projects through our involvement in these wider arrangements.