SPC 3 - Minutes

Minutes of SPC3 - Planning Community & Economic Development, Arts and Culture) Held at 10.30 am 24th January 2018 in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo.


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Sinead Maguire,
  • Councillor Seamus Kilgannon,
  • Councillor Marie Casserly,
  • Mr. Gerard Queenan,
  • Councillor Chris Mac Manus;
  • Councillor Hubert Keaney;
  • Mr. Conor McCarthy,
  • Mr. Anthony McCormack.

 

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr. Frank Moylan, Senior Planner
  • Mr. Stephen Ward, A/Senior Executive Planner
  • Ms. Aisling Smyth, Administrative Officer
  • Mr. Michael Carty, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms. Susan O’Keeffe, Director, Yeats Society Sligo
  • Mr. Enda Candon, First Western Ltd.
  • Mr. Joe Corcoran, Sligo Tourism Ltd.
  • Ms. Sheila Garret, Haran, Sligo Tourism Ltd

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor Paul Taylor
  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady
  • Councillor Tom Mc Sharry

 

ITEM NO. 1: CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 29TH NOVEMBER, 2017:

It was proposed by Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, seconded by Mr. Gerard Queenan and agreed that “The Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee meeting held on 29th November, 2017 be confirmed”.

 

ITEM NO. 2:  MATTERS ARISING:

No issues raised.

 

ITEM NO. 3: TO NOMINATE ONE MEMBER OF SPC3 TO SIT ON THE ADVISORY STEERING GROUP FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITY PLAN 2015-2021:

The members agreed to nominate two members of SPC3 to sit on the Advisory Steering Group for the Local Economic Community Plan 2015-2021 Councillor Hubert Keaney and Mr. Conor Mc Carthy to represent Sligo Chamber of Commerce.

 

ITEM NO. 4: TO APPROVE THE DRAFT COUNTY SLIGO TOURISM STRATEGY 2018-2023:

Ms Dorothy Clarke gave a brief summary on the development of the County Sligo Tourism Strategy and the important role it plays in providing a framework for developing the Tourism potential of the County.  She stated that Sligo County Council and Sligo Tourism Ltd had worked collaboratively to prepare the Draft as presented.  First Western Ltd was engaged by Sligo Tourism Ltd, following tender process, to conduct the research and development of the Strategy.

She stated that the Draft Tourism Strategy was considered and approved by the Board of Sligo Tourism Ltd on 16th January 2018 and indicated that the Draft 5 year Strategy sets out clear performance outputs and metrics to be achieved over the lifetime of the Plan .This should produce many positive outputs and results for the growth, investment and development of Tourism within the County.

Ms Clarke welcomed Mr Enda Candon, First Western who was in attendance to present the Draft County Sligo Tourism Strategy 2018-2023 to the members for consideration and approval.

Mr. Enda Candon stated that the Strategy provides a framework for 5 years for Tourism development and promotion of the County.  He indicated that we now have growing levels of co- operation from all sectors in the collective promotion and development of Sligo.

He outlined the key strategic objectives which underpin and relate to the four strategic priorities.  The 12 top level objectives (some of which differentiate us from other counties) set the main direction for policy, action and allocation of resources in relation to the delivery of the Strategy and form the basis upon which the annual work programme should be built.

He indicated that one of the Key objectives was the development of at least one Major Theme/Attraction of Scale capable of sustaining over 100,000 visitors per year in the County.

This would increase visitor spend, bed nights and act as a major marketing focus piece for the County.

Mr. Candon referred in particular to the “Yeats Theme” and the Legacy of Yeats which has strong links through County Sligo and to the culture, history, heritage and scenery of the county.

He also referred to secondary product development and the necessity to grow or develop up to three secondary themes/attractions.

The secondary flagship visitor themes being selected on the basis of their relative strength and ability to capture visitors and offer compelling experiences.  They include: Outdoor Adventure, Archaeology and History, Culture and Creativity.

Mr. Candon discussed the various Strategic objectives as set out in the Strategy.  He indicated that the Wild Atlantic Way should be the Corner stone of all international marketing and sales.  Reference was also made to Industry Collaboration, Investment in Digital Marketing, Product Investment, Cross County Unified Branding -Sligo “Sets your Spirit Free”,

Marketing Presentation, Events & Festivals, Urban Quarter, Driving Business throughout and Outside the County.

In discussing the implementation of the Strategy, Mr. Candon indicated that there was a requirement for, a stronger engagement with Fáilte Ireland and their Training Programmes, Human Resources and best skills, greater collaboration between Businesses and resources for a Digital Marketing Programme.

The members thanked the staff involved and Mr. Candon for the comprehensive report and indicated that the Strategy was ambitious and had major potential for employment.

In response to queries regarding the implications of Brexit and the challenges to the implementation of the Strategy Mr. Candon indicated that it was unknown as to the impact of Brexit.

He referred to the necessity of sourcing Capital Investment money, sourcing funding from the Private Sector and the need for Creativity, Competiveness , Collaboration and Co-operation from all stakeholders.

Mr. Conor Mc Carthy commented that the metrics in relation to advancing the secondary themes should be looked at and made more ambitious.

Ms. Dorothy Clarke advised that securing the conditions to deliver the secondary themes was a complex process and depended on the availability of suitable funding streams.

Subject to incorporating the minor changes suggested, it was proposed by Councillor Marie Casserly and seconded by Mr. Anthony Mc Cormack that the Draft “Co. Sligo Tourism Strategy 2018-2023” be approved and submitted to the February Monthly Meeting of Sligo County Council for the member’s approval.

 

ITEM NO 5: THE YEATS SOCIETY: THE NEXT PHASE (PRESENTATION):

This Item was taken after Item no 2 to facilitate Ms. Susan O’Keeffe who had other commitments on the morning.

Ms. Susan O’Keeffe, Director of Yeats Society Sligo gave the members a Presentation on the future Plan for the Yeats Society.  She stated that the key elements of the Plan was to create a new and more accessible story about Yeats and his family and their strong connection with the landscape.  It also included proposals to open the doors and tell the world about WB Yeats and his family.  She indicated that Private funding from a variety of sponsors for a three year plan together with the support of grants and further fundraising were envisaged.

Ms. Susan O’Keeffe indicated that the Plan included the building of a spectacular cultural wall, a cornerstone project to create:

“The Great Poetry Wall of Sligo “a destination; a public space; a public celebration of poetry; an inspirational space,

The members were informed that there were proposals to celebrate the Summer Schools 60th Birthday in 2019 with a full Programme of events throughout the year.

The plan also includes proposals to outreach to Schools with the Hyde Bridge Gallery concentrating on supporting local, emerging and student Artists and building a relationship with IT Sligo’s Fine Art programme.

She indicated that the Society will collaborate, take advice and guidance from relevant Council staff and all other partners together with Cultural Institutions locally and nationally.

Plans were also in place to meet with the abbey Theatre with a view to having a presence of the Abbey Theatre in the Building.

Ms. Dorothy Clarke acknowledged the work done by Ms. Susan O’Keeffe in promoting Yeats and Sligo as a Tourism Centre.

Reference was made by the members to the world wide recognition of the Yeats Theme.

Councillor Sinead Maguire together with the other members thanked Ms. Susan O’Keeffe for her presentation and wished her well.

 

ITEM NO. 6: UPDATE ON THE PREPARATION OF THE SLIGO & ENVIRONS LOCAL AREA PLAN:

Mr. Stephen Ward informed the members that the Public Consultation process was ongoing and that a number of submissions were received.  The submissions received related to a range of issues from zoning requests for residential /mixed use, potential uses for the Docklands area and submissions highlighting the need to improve Public Realm.

It was anticipated that a large volume of submission would be received in the last week of the consultation period which ended on 30/01/2018.

Mr. Stephen Ward indicated that work would continue to prepare the Draft with a view to having the Draft document by summer 2018.  The timeframes to be reviewed to ensure consistency with timeframe for the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

 

ITEM NO. 7: UPDATE ON THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (LEADER):

Ms. Margaret Mc Connell updated the members with regard to the Rural Development Programme.  She indicated that the County Sligo Local Development Strategy 2014-2020 (LDS) outlined the three main themes (including nine sub themes) that were identified as overarching needs for the county.  The members were informed that funding in the sum of €5.6m was provided for the programme together with an additional sum of €1.9m provided to cover the Animation, Administration, Support and Checking needed to deliver the Strategy successfully.

Ms. Margaret Mc Connell advised them of the Application process from the initial submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the submission of an application, evaluation, recommendation and intense checking process prior to the issuing of letter of Offer /Contract to the Promoter.

She informed the members that Letters of Offer had issued to 33 Project Promoters to the Value of €852,356 outlined details of Promoters and Project description together with grant funding.  It also included Details of payments issued in respect of 5 no Projects in the amount of €237, 708 together with amount claimed in respect of Animation /Administration /checking.  Mr. Margaret Mc Connell informed the members that following a National Protocol on Enterprise Development and Job Creation a formal local agreement and co-operation mechanism was established and signed off locally in December 2017 between the Sligo LEO, the LAG and the SLP.  The shared objectives to maximise the resources available to achieve enterprise development and job creation in the most effective manner across the two programme remits.

The Protocol sees it essential that the activities undertaken and supports provided to enterprise by the parties are complimentary and not overlapping.

Ms. Margaret confirmed that the Leader Programme was progressing well in Sligo and she referred to the official opening of the Country’s first completed project, The Walking Track at Ballinalack Park in December 2017 by Minister Michael Ring, TD.  She indicated that a number of revisions and relaxations to the administration process had taken place at national level to support and streamline the process.

 

ITEM NO. 8: UPDATE ON INVESTMENT RECEIVED FOR RECREATIONAL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT:

Mr. Michael Carty informed the members that Sligo County Council had garnered grant aid funding of c. €3.86m from the Town & Village, Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) and Outdoor Rural Infrastructure Schemes via the Department of Rural and Community Development.  He stated that the allocation was matched by cash and in kind supports from Sligo County Council and various local communities valued at €1.05m resulting in a total investment in excess of €4.9m for the three schemes, in under three years.

Mr. Michael Carty indicated that Sligo County Council had worked in close collaboration with local communities throughout the Municipal Districts to develop a localised and focused approach which has enabled the Council to build a strong relationship with local communities and thereby maximising the benefit of the funding received.

He then outlined the Grant aid received, the matching funding and the total investment allocated in respect of the various Programmes, under the three Schemes. (copy of report circulated)

He stated that the initiatives funded under the schemes ranged from playgrounds to walking routes and from Enterprise Centres to Marketing Campaigns.  He highlighted the fact that there was an investment of circa €1.3m for the first phase of the Coolaney National Mountain Bike Centre, where works are currently under way.  It was anticipated that when this development is fully realised it will provide a world class facility delivering an estimated 80,000 visitors annually to the County.  Ms. Dorothy Clarke indicated that under the Town & Village Scheme the criteria outlined was very specific and Enterprise focused, the Enterprise element which should enhance outdoor products and thus help with the Tourism Strategy.

Councillor Sinead Maguire and Councillor Hubert Keaney expressed appreciation for the Department funding and acknowledged the input of staff in the Programme.

 

ITEM NO. 9: TO FIX MEETING DATES:

It was agreed by the members that the SPC3 Meetings for 2018 be held as listed hereunder and that the time is changed to 10.00 am.

Wednesday 25th April 2018

Wednesday 26th September 2018

Wednesday 28th November 2018

 

ITEM NO. 10: ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Councillor Sinead Maguire raised the matter regarding the poor attendance by some members at SPC3 Meeting.  It was agreed by the members present that a letter issue to those members requesting clarification on their ability to attend future meetings.

 


Meeting Date 24/01/2018