Minutes - SPC 3

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 Live Invest Visit Meeting held on Thursday 22nd May 2025 at 11a.m. Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney (Chair), Local Government Member
  • Councillor Fergal Nealon, Local Government Member
  • Councillor Declan Bree, Local Government Member
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons, Local Government Member
  • Paula Scanlon, Business / Commercial National Pillar - (Chambers Ireland)
  • Steven Barker, Community/Voluntary - PPN Nominee (Cliffoney CF)
  • Ruth Flood, Social Inclusion - PPN Nominee (Sligo DPO)

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Brían Flynn, Director of Services
  • Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Tracy Ferguson, Economic Development Officer
  • Aisling Smyth, Administrative Officer SCC
  • Mary Frances Doherty, PEACEPLUS Manager SCC

 

GUEST:

Anne McTernan, Programme Manager, NW Regional Enterprise (Guest Speaker)

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor Dara Mulvey, Local Government Member
  • Councillor Liam Brennan, Local Government Member
  • Councillor Marie Casserly, Local Government Member
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh, Local Government Member
  • Denise Curran, Trade Union National Pillar - (MANDATE) (ICTU)

 

Introduction

Cathaoirleach Councillor G. Mullaney ensured meeting was quorate and welcomed all in attendance. Apologies from Councillor D Mulvey were noted.

 

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

Clarifications to draft minutes of 25th May were requested by Ruth Flood and Steve Barker. These were outlined and agreed for amendment to minutes.

Proposed by: Councillor A Gibbons
Seconded by: Councillor D. Bree

 

2. Matters arising:

(i) Calendar of Meetings 2025:

Dates previously agreed clash with other set appointments for Members and staff on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The Meeting Room diary has been checked and the following alternative dates are free:

Q3        Wed. 17th September 2025 - Agreed
Q4        Wed. 12th November 2025 – Alternative to be sought

Issue of meeting invitations through iCalendar was requested. This can be done for future meetings.

(ii) Operation of Meetings

The following suggestion re operation of meetings offered by PPN Representative, Steven Barker were discussed:

that all attendees will have familiarised themselves with the content of each paper and committee members may seek clarification of the content or to give advance notice of possible questions through the SPC Administrator;                               and

The expectation is that anyone presenting an agenda item is not required to go through information already provided, but to provide any clarifications as requested, address any questions already posed, handle questions arising and then to lead the discussion to secure the planned next stage.  

Led by SPC3 Cathaoirleach, it was acknowledged that it is up to members to familiarise themselves with documents before the meetings.

It was agreed that questions on content provided could be raised through the SPC Administrator prior to meetings.

Members acknowledged the workload of SCC personnel in other areas in addition to SPC matters. DOS, Brían Flynn advised that every effort would be made to provide documents to the members 4 weeks in advance of meetings but that some flexibility on this might be appreciated where such documents could not be provided.

Queries raised re policy and strategy development timings and progress status were addressed under Item 6. AOB.

Some discussion focussed on providing rough draft notes within  a week of the SPC before issuing a refined draft in advance of next meeting. Councillor Bree advised that if this were done for SPC 3, it would be expected across all Council committees. No agreement on this matter was provided.

The Cathaoirleach asked if members would be agreeable to the meetings being recorded in support of minute-taking. This was agreed by the meeting.

 

3. Conflict of Interest: Statute supplied.

Section 4.0 Operation of SPCs, Section f),  of the Strategic Policy Scheme 2024-2029 re ethics and Conflict of Interest and was outlined by the Cathaoirleach. Each Member was provided with the relevant statute, Section 177 of the Local Government Act 2001.

A declaration of Conflict of Interest will be asked for near start of each SPC Meeting.

This was noted by the Members.

 

4. Update on North West Regional Enterprise Plan – Presentation provided.

The latest North West Regional Enterprise Plan ran until 2024. NW Region Enterprise Programme Manager Programme Manager, Anne McTernan, updated the members on the aims of the Plan and that consultation supporting drafting of new Plan would commence in autumn of this year. Members were advised that the Chief Executives of Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal were collaborating with a view to advancing the needs of the three counties as a regional unit.

The update was welcomed by the Members. P Scallon welcomed the inclusion of tourism under the NW Enterprise Plan. At request of Ruth Flood, Anne McTernan confirmed that the consultations would be available online for wide and accessible participation.

 

5. Update on Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community Peace Action Plan - Presentation provided.

Sligo PEACEPLUS Manager, Mary Frances Doherty, provided an overview of the Sligo Co-designed Local Community Peace Action Plan, including details of the launch event on 15th May and next steps.

The PEACEPLUS team was congratulated on the development of the Plan: its interesting projects and focus on social inclusion – Sensory Room at Dromore West, Human Stories Unveiled - and sustainability through Repair Cafes, etc. were highlighted as welcome and positive.

 

6. Any Other Business

In considering the Multi-annual and Annual Work Plan of SPC 3, Brían Flynn provided a table of the policies and strategies that will end or come up for review within the lifetime of the SPC. It also shows where national policies and strategies are implemented by local authority staff. An electronic version of the table of Strategies and Policies will be provided to the Members.

 

Cathaoirleach Gerard Mullaney thanked all present for their time and contribution to the meeting.

Apologies were noted.

The meeting concluded at 11.55 p.m.


Meeting Date 22/05/2025