What is Leitrim County Development Board?
Leitrim County Development Board is a structure which brings together a range of agencies working across economic, social and cultural development in Leitrim. A County Development Board was established in each county/city area in Ireland in 2000. The first task given to this board was to prepare a 10 year strategy for economic, social and cultural development in Leitrim. This Board meets four times a year. It reviews progress on the Strategy/Action plan based on Working Group reports as well as offering an opportunity to share information on new actions or policies that will impact on the development of the County.
The Social Economic and Cultural Strategy 2002-2012 set out a broad framework for development in Leitrim. It included overall objectives, targets to be achieved and indicators to measure development progress in Leitrim. The biggest difference between this Strategy and plans by individual agencies is that it focused on how agencies could work together to achieve an objective or project - the focus is always on agencies working together to maximise the benefit for the county. The Strategy was reviewed in 2006 and is now undergoing a second review with the development of a limited number of projects for the time period from mid 2009 to the end of 2012. The review took place through the Working Groups of the County Development Board and through discussions with local business and business associations.
Membership of Leitrim County Development Board
There is a Board of 28 people who make up the County Development Board. Membership of this Board is drawn from the following sectors:
Local Government – the chairs of each of the 5 Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and the Cathaoirleach or Chairperson of Leitrim County Council as well as the County Manager.
Local Development – there are two representatives from the following organizations: Arigna LEADER, County Leitrim Partnership and Leitrim County Enterprise Board as well as one representative from the County Childcare Committee.
State Agencies – the following state agencies are represented on the Board: Dept of Social and Family Affairs, Dept. of Education and Science, An Garda Siochana, HSE/NW, FÁS, VEC, Teagasc, Western Development Commission, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, North West Tourism.
Social Partners – there are two representatives from Leitrim Community Forum and one each from the farming organizations, ICTU and the Chambers of Commerce.
Sub-Committees of Leitrim County Development Board
There are a number of sub-committees of Leitrim County Development Board.
The Economic Development Group is comprised of the Enterprise Development Agencies and is chaired by the County Manager. This group focus on overseeing the implementation of economic development projects as well as working on joint initiatives to promote investment, entrepreneurship and job creation in Leitrim. The group work collectively to maximise opportunities in economic development in Leitrim - further details are available on the Leitrim portal site www.leitrim.ie Examples of some of the projects which have been developed by this group include: the Leitrim Third Level Initiative www.leitrimthirdlevel.ie, the Leitrim.. A New Life Expo held in Croke Park and the Enterprise Clinics held in Spring 2009.
The Social Inclusion Measures (SIMS) Group is comprised of agencies working on Social Inclusion projects in Leitrim and is chaired by the Director of Services, Community & Enterprise. The focus within the SIMS Group is on overseeing the implementation of projects on social inclusion within the CDB Action Plan and working jointly on other intiatives that arise in the course of the 3 year period. The type of projects this group have worked on in the past includes - the preparation of a Local Poverty Profile and Action Plan, An Saol Maith?/The Good Life? - a project looking at ways to improve services for older people with older people.The SIMS Group also have responsbility for endorsing the plans of the local development agencies.
The Cultural Development Working Group is comprised of agencies/organisations working in the area of youth, sport or arts and they oversee the implementation of projects in these areas which are listed in the CDB Action Plan.
Other sub-committees of the County Development Board include:
The PEACE III Partnership which oversees the implementation of the PEACE III programme - further details are listed under PEACE III Partnership link.
The InterAgency Traveller Services Group which jointly work on initiatives regarding Traveller health, accommodation and education and Training.
Leitrim County Development Board Action Plan 2009 - 2012
The Action Plan 2009- 2012 is currently being completed through the working groups of the County Development Board. Approximately 3 to 4 projects will be developed under each of the economic, social and cultural headings. The projects will be carried out jointly by a number of agencies. Further details of the projects will be listed on this site from the begining of may 2009.
Similar to the CDB Strategy, the 3 year action plan will be implemented on a project management basis.
Member agencies will update their tasks using the project management software "Project Vision" which is web based and is developed by a Leitrim Company Cora Systems. Reports on project progress will be discussed in Working Group twice yearly and and annually by the CDB.
The projects prioritised under the 2009-2012 Action Plan are:
Economic Development
1. Create a positive business environment in Leitrim to continue to develop existing business and encourage new business
2. Develop the Leitrim Smart economy
3. Focus on Opportunities to Create Jobs e.g. in the Alternative Energy/”Green” and creative sectors
4. Maximise the tourism of Leitrim
Social Inclusion
1. Increase the number of people from Leitrim aware of and availing of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Centre services
2. Promote Positive Mental Health through Sport
3. Promote cultural diversity awareness and acceptance
4. Complete actions in Local Poverty Profile
Cultural Development
1. Develop supports and facilities for Young People
2. The Barcelona Declaration in a CDB Context
3. Develop Public Art Initiatives
4. Support for Dance and Music
For further information on Leitrim County Development Board - contact the Community & Enterprise Department of Leitrim County Council on 071 9650496 or email dce@leitrimcoco.ie