2025 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Thursday 29th May 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
  • Mr. Martin Lydon (Chamber), Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • Mr Liam Kiely (Chamber), Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Cara O’Neill (Chamber), State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE
  • 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. Pat Benson (Online), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Ms. Bernadette Maughan (Online), Social Inclusion, PPN
  • Ms. Noelle O'Gara (Chamber), Social Inclusion, PPN

Apologies /Absent

  • Mr. Peter Egan, State Agency, MSLETB
  • Mr. John Kennedy, State Agency, Dept. of Social Protection
  • Councillor Ann Higgins, Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Aidan Doyle, Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce
  • Mr. Amro Hamid, Environment, PPN
  • Mr. Billy Gallagher, Community & Voluntary, PPN

In Attendance

  • Mr. Brían Flynn (Chamber), Chief Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell (Chamber), Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Mary Boylan (Chamber), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Mary Frances Doherty (Online), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Timlin (Chamber), Staff 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. Brían Flynn, Director of Services Live Invest Visit & Borough District of Sligo, and Chief Officer of Sligo LCDC.  Apologies for the meeting also noted.

 

1. Declarations of Interest.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

2. Minutes of meeting 16th April 2025.

Proposed by: Mr. J. Feerick. Seconded by: Mr. Martin Lydon and agreed.

 

3. Matters Arising.

There were no Matters Arising.

 

4. SICAP.

a) Update on SICAP 2025 to date

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

Ms. J. Murphy advised members that under Goal 1 targets at the end of April 2025 are at 28%. Work is ongoing under Building Stronger Communities, Empowering Communities through Targeted Community Engagement, Community Networking, Social Enterprise and Community Integration.

Under Goal 2, targets at the end of April 2025 are at 52%, with work ongoing under Health & Wellbeing, Lifelong Learning, Children & Families, Employment Supports and Individual & Family Support for New Arrivals.

 

b) SICAP Mid-Year Review Timeline.

Overview of timeline provided by Ms. M. McConnell in terms of the deadline for the online submission of the Mid-Year Financial and Monitoring report by SLPC by 17th June, with LCDC feedback to Pobal due by 1st July 2025. The SI & SICAP subcommittee will meet on 3rd July to approve same, with the final recommendation being brought before the LCDC on 9th July 2025.

 

c) Verification / Site Visits Q1 2025.

Members were advised of the upcoming site visits and encouraged to attend:

  • Music & Art Therapy Programme, 3rd June, Tubbercurry
  • Launch of Integration Book – Toolkit for New Arrival Children, 16th June, Model

 

5. 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:

  • Facilitator sourced to deliver a Representative Support programme, to members.
  • The PPN and ATU have begun a new national research programme exploring the pressures and challenges facing the community sector and how conflicting demands can limit the ability of the community to engage in positive climate action.
  • The Uisce Álainn Festival took place on 3rd May in partnership with PPN members Mebd’s Dragon Warriors. This event will be featured on RTE on Monday 2nd June 2025.
  • The Parkinsons Ireland Northwest Group were supported by the PPN in hosting a fundraising event in the Hawkswell for Parkinsons support.

 

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

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting. Programme update provided by Ms. M. McConnell, as follows:

  • Mindfulness walks to take place in Hazelwood during the summer period.
  • Stronger for Longer Programme to be completed in early June.
  • The development of the Brief Intervention Service for young people in Sligo is currently under consideration with the HSE and Ballymote FRC. This will be discussed further at the Healthy Ireland subcommittee meeting to be held in advance of the next LCDC meeting.
  • The Healthy Sligo Progress Report for 2024 was submitted to Pobal in Q1 2025, for the two key outcomes under the programme i.e. physical activity and mental health projects. The progress and positive impact of each outcome is addressed in the report, with findings supported by evaluations, focus groups, and data gathered through online and approved evaluation tools.

Discussion

Ms. C. O’Neill requested a copy of the Progress Report and queried if any formal notification have been received in relation to the next round of Healthy Ireland. It was confirmed by Ms. M. McConnell that no formal notification had been received, but that SCC would welcome the opportunity to participate in same.

 

7. 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 on the finalisation of pre-commencement conditions is ongoing; the Framework for the Provision of Accounting, Audit and Financial Services for SCC was published on e-tenders with 5 valid responses received. Evaluation of responses to take place in early June 2025.
  • The Sligo PEACEPLUS Programme was launched on Thursday 14th May by Councillor Donal Gilroy. The Cathaoirleach of SCC, Councillor Declan Bree, Minister Dara Calleary, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly and Gina McIntyre CE of SEUPB were also in attendance. As part of the launch celebrations the Red Dress Embroidery Project was on display in City Hall and formed part of a very successful Social Media Campaign.
  • Work on commencement of project implementation is ongoing as per PEACEPLUS report.

 

8. Correspondence.

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

Ms. C. O’Neill advised that in advance of Men’s Mental Health Week from 9th to 15th June, she will circulate a list of activities to members.

 

9. Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting.

Wednesday 9th July 2025 – 9.30a.m., Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside.

 

10. Any Other Business.

Meeting concluded 10.30a.m.


Meeting Date 29/05/2025