2025 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Wednesday 26th February 2025 at 9.30a.m. (Council Chamber, City Hall)


Members Present

  • Councillor Donal Gilroy (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Councillor Fergal Nealon (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Cara O’Neill (Online), State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE
  • Mr. Billy Gallagher (Chamber), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Mr. John Feerick (Chamber), Local Development Sector, Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG
  • Mr. Pat Fallon (Online), Trade Union Interests, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
  • Ms. Kathleen Henry (Online), Farming / Agriculture Interests, Farming / Agriculture Pillar
  • Mr. Amro Hamid (Chamber), Environment, PPN
  • Mr. Pat Benson (Chamber), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Ms. Bernadette Maughan (Online), Social Inclusion, PPN
  • Ms. Noelle O'Gara (Online), Social Inclusion, PPN

Apologies /Absent

  • Mr. Martin Lydon, Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. of Social Protection
  • Mr. Peter Egan, State Agency, MSLETB
  • Mr Liam Kiely, Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Aidan Doyle, Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce

In Attendance

  • Mr. Donal Tinney, A/Chief Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell (Chamber), Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Aisling Smyth (Chamber), Administrative Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Mary Frances Doherty (Chamber), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Marcella McGarry (Online), Healthy Sligo Coordinator, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Timlin (Chamber), Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Healy (Chamber), Clerical Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. June Murphy (Chamber), Programme Manager (SICAP), County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG

Councillor Donal Gilroy, Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular Mr. Donal Tinney, A/Chief Officer, Sligo LCDC who was attending his first meeting of the LCDC.

 

1. Declarations of Interest.

There were no Declarations of Interest. Ms. M. McConnell advised members that Conflict of Interest, Declarations of Interest and Confidentiality Agreements for 2025, are due for renewal and will be circulated for completion.

 

2. Minutes of meeting 11th December 2024.

Proposed by: Councillor Fergal Nealon. Seconded by: Mr. Pat Benson and agreed.

 

3. Matters Arising.

There were no Matters Arising.

 

4. To approve Sligo LCDC Annual Report 2024.

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.

Ms. M. McConnell provided an overview of the report.  Activities during 2024 included the following:

  • Overview of the LCDC, membership and number of meetings attended
  • Overview of all programmes under the remit of the LCDC
  • Other Community Focused and Tourism projects

Approval of the Sligo LCDC Annual Report 2024:

Proposed by: Councillor Fergal Nealon.  Seconded by: Mr. Billy Gallagher and agreed

 

5. SICAP

a) SICAP 2024 Annual Performance review

  • Financial Report
  • Monitoring Report
  • 2024 Annual Progress Report
  • LCDC Checklist including feedback from Pobal’s review and Financial Reports

All relevant reports, as above, circulated to members in advance of the meeting. 

Ms. Margaret McConnell advised Members that a meeting of the Social Inclusion & SICAP Monitoring Committee was held on 20th February 2025 to consider and conduct the 2024 Annual Performance review. SLP CLG uploaded reports to IRIS as required by the DRCD and Pobal, and LCDC support staff undertook a review of 2024 SICAP in January 2025.

Ms. M. McConnell provided an overview of the reports including the LCDC Checklist report with satisfactory feedback from Pobal.   LCDC support staff and SLP CLG staff were thanked for their work on SICAP by Ms. McConnell.

Recommendation Report of the Social Inclusion & SICAP Monitoring Committee was circulated to members in advance of the meeting and outlined by Ms. M. McConnell.

Approval of the 2024 Annual Performance Review:

Proposed by: Mr. Billy Gallagher. Seconded by: Councillor Fergal Nealon and agreed.

 

b) SICAP Annual Plan 2025 & Feedback from Pobal Review

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting. 

Ms. Margaret McConnell advised that the Social Inclusion and SICAP Monitoring Sub Committee held a meeting on 20th February 2025, at which members considered and recommended approval of the 2025 Annual Plan.

She gave an overview of the Annual Plan review undertaken by LCDC support staff and positive feedback received from Pobal.

Approval of SICAP 2025 Annual Plan:

Proposed by: Mr. P. Benson.  Seconded by: Councillor Fergal Nealon and agreed

 

c) To note SICAP Internal Audit Report 2023

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

Ms. M. McConnell provided a brief overview of the report provided by the Councils’ internal auditor.  She advised members that recommendations made by the SCC internal auditor in relation to SICAP 2023, were discussed with SLPCO and addressed.

 

d) Update on SICAP 2025 to date

Ms. J. Murphy advised members that work under Goal 1 and Goal 2 was ongoing. She gave a brief overview of some of the projects currently underway as follows:

  • Digital Skills, Mentoring & Advocacy in Cranmore
  • Hospitality Training with the ETB
  • CV Preparation and Interview Skills training is ongoing
  • Climate Action & Just Transition

Discussion

A discussion took place in relation to accessibility for all cohorts to the on-line application process for grant applications. Mr. A. Hamid noted that the Digital Application form for the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 may present some issues for older people to access and Mr. B. Gallagher added that there is a risk that some groups could feel excluded. Councillor F. Nealon noted that there can be barriers to this process including literacy, language and access to technology, particularly for New Communities.

Ms. M. McConnell advised that SCC has a Digital Strategy, and the digitisation of grants schemes is an action in this strategy and also is a climate friendly initiative.  She advised on the tight timeline in place in relation to this scheme but that to facilitate any late application the process would remain open an additional number of days until Monday 3rd March for any groups having difficulty with the online process.  Mr. D. Tinney and Ms J. Murphy advised that Sligo Libraries and SLP CLG respectively, would also be available to assist groups with making online applications.

In response to a suggestion from Mr. P. Benson that a working group of Volunteers, SCC staff, PPN and SLP CLG be established to look at improvements to the online application process, Ms. M. McConnell advised that the LEP funding Task Group are meeting on 13th March and could consider this matter and make recommendations in this regard. She advised that it would be welcome if the PPN could assist with advice on effective ways in which to run an online scheme.

 

d) Verification / Site Visits Q1 2025

Ms. J. Murphy advised that verification site visits could be arranged as follows:

  • Men’s Yoga, Abbeyquarter Centre, Cranmore, 15th March 2025
  • Manual Handling, Northside Centre, 26th March 2025 – both visits to be confirmed.

Members were strongly encouraged to attend from an oversight and audit point of view.

 

6. To note update on PPN

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Mr. P. Benson provided an overview of ongoing projects and events which Sligo PPN are currently involved in / working on, as follows:

  • During February Sligo PPN hosted Strategic Policy Scheme (SPC) reps from across the Northwest region for a training and induction workshop on SPCs. 60 community representatives from across the region were in attendance.
  • The first plenary of 2025 was held in partnership with Sligo Global Kitchen. Over 500 people were in attendance.
  • The pilot Access and Inclusion training, developed in partnership with Sligo DPO, was delivered to HSE staff and healthcare students.
  • A promotional and networking event for Power to Change to take place on 27th February in the Clayton Hotel with over 200 participants registered to attend.

 

7. To note update on the Sligo Healthy Ireland Programme Round 4

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Overview provided by Ms. M. McGarry, as follows:

  • Programme updates for 2025 have been agreed. It was noted that this is the final year of the Healthy Ireland programme.
  • Work on Physical activities and Mental Health activities is progressing in partnership with lead agencies.
  • M. McGarry and Ms. B. Maughan to meet separately to discuss timeframe in relation to the Equine Therapy project.

Discussion

In response to a query from Councillor F. Nealon regarding site visits to programmes, Ms. M. McGarry confirmed that members will be notified of the up coming open day in Caltragh, (as per report), and will be welcome to attend.

Ms. C. O’Neill queried the development of a future Healthy Ireland Fund Plan, post 2025. It was advised that the Department have not issued any update in this regard, but members will be notified with any formal developments as they are received.

 

8. To note update on the Sligo PEACEPLUS Plan

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. Mary Frances Doherty advised members as follows:

  • Work is ongoing in progressing and finalising pre commencement conditions set by the funder SEUPB.
  • The SEUPB has provided a procurement framework for Sligo County Council to follow to contract external financial control for the Programme. Once in place this will enable Programme claims to be made.
  • The Launch of the Sligo PEACEPLUS Programme is scheduled for 15th May 2025 in City Hall Sligo. The Red Dress Art Instillation, which forms the basis for the launch event, will be on display in the Foyer of City Hall between 12th – 16th

Discussion

Ms. N. O’Gara queried the availability of PEACEPLUS funding for groups and the application process.  In responding, Ms. A. Smyth confirmed there will not be an Open Call for funding and provided an overview of the Public Consultation process from which projects were agreed and approved by the LCDC and the SEUPB.

 

9. Correspondence

Correspondence circulated in advance of the meeting and noted as read by members in advance. 

 

10. Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting.

Wednesday 16th April 2025 – 9.30a.m.

 

11. Any Other Business

N/A.

Meeting concluded 10.50a.m.


Meeting Date 26/02/2025