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Sligo County Development Board

The principal activity of Sligo County Development Board over 2005 was an extensive review of the Integrated Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy 2002-2012 and the development of a three year Action Plan for 2006 to 2008.

The review of the strategy took into account the following developments since its publication in March 2002 - the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), Regional Planning Guidelines, 2002 Census, publishing of Sligo and Environs Plans, County Development Plan and Local Area Plans, Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy, Policing Bill, Disability Legislation, establishment of the Regional Drugs Task Force, Joint Ministerial Initiative etc. These have all impacted on the Strategy and it is necessary to update the CDB’s objectives and actions in light of these

The Minister for Environment Heritage and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche, outlined the process which the review should take and Boards were requested to consider their core co-ordination role and emphasise in particular the co-operation and integration of public sector agencies activities at local level. The process was as follows:
  • the selection of a limited number of key priorities and actions which the CDB will concentrate on over the next three years;
  • a focus on integrative actions aimed at a more joined-up approach to local service delivery involving relevant agencies; and
  • a clearly defined implementation work programme for 2006 – 2008.
The Review has resulted in:
  1. Identification of a limited number of key priorities and actions on which the CDB will concentrate over the next three years, with particular reference to achieving the core CDB objective of improved co-ordination of local public service delivery;
  2. Identification of key developments at local, regional and national level that have occurred since the Strategies were prepared, and an assessment of their implications;
  3. Identification of what has been achieved to date in terms of implementation of the Strategies;
  4. Examination of the processes and mechanisms being used to implement and monitor the Strategies;
  5. In light of the above, any adjustments needed in terms of priorities and implementation arrangements required for the next three year period, 2006 – 2008 inclusive are now proposed.
The Review Process for Sligo CDB was kick-started in early 2005 with a survey of how board members viewed the CDB process to date. The questionnaire was designed to draw out the key strategic and operational concerns of board members before developing its action plan for 2006-2008. All of the existing and former members of the board were invited to participate in the review.

The following is a summary of the main points emerging from the survey:
  • The strengths of the Board lie in its commitment to co-operation, communication and teamwork
  • Operating weaknesses lie in the effectiveness of some of the sub-structures and the need to develop a stronger public profile
  • The board identified the need for a more flexible approach to ensure that everyone has a chance to make an effective contribution to meetings
  • Keynote speakers on specific topics should be invited to address meetings on priority issues and the CDB should become a forum for debate and discussion
  • There is a need to focus on actions which add-value to the work of the various organisations on the County Development Board
  • Special measures need to be taken to ensure that new members are given adequate support to contribute to the Board
  • There is a need for a more focused approach to the monitoring of the CDB strategy
  • A need for a more collective approach to the marketing of Sligo
  • Social Inclusion continues to be a key strategic priority for the Board.
The County Development Board also published its Short- Term Action Plan progress report in January 2005. The following is a summary of the progress in relation to actions in the CDB strategy.

Sligo’s CDB Short Term Action Progress Report 2002-2005
Progress Report Infrastructure Social Inclusion Living Culture
No. of actions implemented 19 28 11
No. of actions progressing 11 12 9
No. of actions ongoing 12 14 6
No. of actions that will not be implemented 5 9 0

Review Workshop May 2005
Sligo CDB held a two day review Work Shop in May 2005 to assess progress of activities and to prioritise areas for specific inclusion in the three year Action Plan. This Work Shop was facilitated by an independent facilitator.

Priorities for 2006-2008
The following priorities were identified for the County Development Board:
  1. Delivering on Gateway for Sligo
  2. Rural Development Strategy
  3. Social Inclusion and Equality
  4. Childcare
  5. Public Safety
  6. Play & Recreation Strategy
The action plan in relation to each of these priority areas was approved in principle by the County Development Board in December 2005. Working groups have been established to devise specific actions under each of these priorities. These working groups will oversee the implementation of the actions.

Other Activities of the County Development Board 2005:
  • Endorsement of the following Local Development Plans
  • Sligo Leader Partnership Social Inclusion Programme
  • Sligo County Childcare Committee Annual Action Plan
  • Community of Lough Arrow Social Project Bi-Annual Action Plan (CLASP)
  • Sligo Northside Local Development Plan
  • Submission to Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources on Regional Broadband Programme
  • Submission to Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism in relation to special designation for the Model Niland collection in relation to tax incentives for donations to the collection in recognition of the importance of regional collections
  • Submission of proposals for Cohesion Funding 2005 to Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
  • Submission of proposal on behalf of Sligo Volunteer Bureau for funding under the Cohesion Measures
  • Facilitation of Sligo Comhairle na nÓg
  • Development of an Integrated Working Group for Tubbercurry
  • Economic Development Project for Tubbercurry and Enniscrone
  • Participation in Regional Infrastructure Group with Leitrim, Donegal County Development Boards
  • Participation on submission on Upper Shannon Rural Renewal Scheme Tax Incentive to include supports for business expansion, seed capital and expansion of existing scheme to include all rural village Establishment of working group on job losses at Saehan Media Establishment of working group on Rural Development
  • Submission to the Taxi Regulator
  • Input into Sligo County Council Draft Litter Management Plan
  • Production of two newsletters in April and October 2005.