Council in Focus
10/03/2010 -
COMMUNITY, ENTERPRISE, ARTS & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
- Director of Services, Rita McNulty
The work of these sections of Sligo County Council are primarily concerned with environmental protection, supporting integrated economic, social and cultural development, promoting the Arts and the community and voluntary sectors in Co. Sligo. They are headed up by Rita McNulty Director of Services.
Two of the common threads in the varied work of the Community, Enterprise, Arts and Environmental Services sections of Sligo County Council are the focus on the community and working in partnership with others in a strategic way. All of our services have a direct connection with the communities of Co. Sligo and all our partnerships with other agencies seek to establish and maintain solid foundations for work to go on into the future. This is particularly challenging in the current economic climate of diminishing resources. However, while resources are a critical part in delivering services, they are not the only part, commitment, energy and determination are equally important, and luckily there is an ample supply in the dedicated staff and partner organizations that we work with in the Environment Department, the Arts Office and the Community and Enterprise Office. The following is a brief outline of the work of each department.
Environmental Services Department
The main aim of Sligo County Council’s Environment Department is as you would expect, the protection of the Environment. This is fundamental to the county’s balanced and sustainable development. Key priorities in 2010 include water quality, recycling, the introduction of the 3rd bin and climate change. The head of this Department is Fineen O’ Driscoll Acting Senior Engineer and there are 23 staff working in the Department plus up to 14 Beach Guards and Wardens during the summer.
Monitoring of Drinking Water Supplies
We do this in a number of ways – firstly and the area that everyone is directly affected by, is the monitoring of our drinking water supplies – both public and private - to ensure they comply with the rigorous legislation now in place. This is often taken for granted when you turn on your tap to fill your glass or kettle or cook your food. This work not only involves sampling but also the monitoring of the catchments from which the water is taken. There are a whole host of new legislation and initiatives now in place, in particular the River Basin Management Plans, the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters(Nitrates Directive), the EU Shellfish Directive to name but a few.
The issuing of discharge licences to both water and waste water and the assessment of Planning applications where an environmental impact is a consideration also plays an important part in the management of a catchment.
Pollution control also falls into this area. The Environment Dept.is in the front line should a pollution incident occur, or likely to occur with staff available day or night to attend anywhere in the county. Monitoring of water quality at the Beaches during the bathing season is another essential task carried out to ensure that the beaches are safe and clean for the many local and tourist users that frequent these beaches during this period.
Water Safety
We also have responsibility for the employment and supervision of the Beach Life Guards and Beach Wardens during the holiday season and these provide an excellent service doing what can be a very challenging job.
Waste Management
Waste management is also covered by a raft of legislation and a range of measures have been taken to ensure compliance, these include the regulation of waste collectors, the recycling centre in Tubbercurry, the Green Waste Facility in Ballysadare, licencing of land fills, participation in the Connaught Waste Management Plan, the bottle banks and the implementation of Regulations including Waste Electrical (WEE), End of Life Vehicles (ELVs), Packaging and the Plastic bag levy.
The area that most impacts on households is the disposal of household waste. Under new legislation a 3rd bin will shortly be introduced to deal with the disposal of all household organic waste and the local waste collectors will be contacting their clients to advise on its implementation in the coming weeks.
This new regulation along with the current recycling initiatives is part of a national policy to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Sligo has one the highest recycling percentages in the country and the maintenance and monitoring of the bottle banks often with the use of CCTV is one of the many roles of the Waste Enforcement Officers (WEOs), also included is the Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning.
The enforcement of The Litter Pollution Act is another key area of work carried out by the Litter Warden with on occasion, the assistance of the WEOs. Litter is an ongoing problem and it is our belief that education and awareness are key to changing behaviour and instilling responsibility among members of the community.
Climate Change
Climate Change is now a major topic of discussion and one that concerns all of us. Sligo County Council have set up a Climate Change working group with the Environment Dept tasked with co-ordinating and implementing a strategy for the organisation. The reduction of carbon emissions and the use of energy is now seen as a priority at all levels of Government and Sligo County Council are anxious that it is to the forefront in this effort.
Other areas of work not immediately recognisable as work carried out by the Environment Dept include – Food Safety, the control of Dogs and Horses and also the issuing of Casual Trading licences.
We also manage the Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) which is made up of Councillors and representatives of the business, farming, environmental and community sectors.
Contact Details for Environment Services:
Environmental Services, Sligo County Council, Unit 9, Cleveragh Business Park, Cleveragh, Sligo.Telephone: 071-9111900
Fax: 071-9111924
Community and Enterprise Department
The Community and Enterprise Department is mainly concerned with supporting the community and voluntary sector and enterprise development and with managing inter-agency co-operation and strategic planning for the county, through the County Development Board (CDB). The Department’s work areas are led by a team of Administrative Officers and a Senior Executive Engineer and there is a total of 13 staff in the Department.
Community and Voluntary Sector
Communities are supported to enhance their areas through initiatives such as Tidy Towns and Pride of Place. There has been a steady increase in the number of Tidy Towns Committees entering the National Tidy Towns competition (19 committees) and in the marks awarded to Sligo groups in recent years. In 2010, work will continue with the provision of information, support and grant aid through the Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme (72 Groups involved).
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- 'Harvesting Your Life Experience' volunteers who took part in workshops highlighting the advantages of volunteering by older people.
Pride of Place is an all-Island Competition and in 2009 all Sligo entries were highly commended and shortlisted at national level. Three Sligo entries were awarded runner-up prizes in their respective categories including, The Foroige CRIB Youth Health Café, Cranmore Community Co-operative Society and Ballintogher Community Enterprise. The annual Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme will provide support to groups participating in the competition in 2010.
- Belt Torc Moylough Heritage Centre - 2009 Pride of Place Sligo entry
- Ballintogher Community Enterprises - 2009 Pride of Place Sligo entry
Burial Grounds Committees will also be supported through the Grant Scheme. In addition, staff work with Committees to help maintain burial grounds albeit with reduced resources.
The Community Forum is the representative structure for more than 600 community and voluntary groups in County Sligo and is supported by the Community and Enterprise Department where its office is located. Support is also provided for the Volunteer Centre and the Community and Enterprise Department along with the Community Forum aim to work together to mark the EU Year of Volunteering which takes place in 2011.
Teach Laighne in Tubbercurry provides an outreach one stop shop service and works with a range of local groups
- Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry
The RAPID Programme continues in 2010 providing supports to specified disadvantaged areas in Sligo town and the Co-ordinator with the Area Implementation Team directs the work of RAPID on an interagency and community basis.
The Joint Policing Committees of Sligo County and Borough Councils will continue their work in 2010 focusing on agreed work plans dealing with rural isolation/older people, drug and alcohol abuse, road safety, anti social behavior and city centre night time issues.
- Sligo Borough Joint Policing Committee
- Sligo County Joint Policing Committee
County Development Board
The Community and Enterprise Department facilitates the County Development Board which is a key structure in the county charged with devising and overseeing the implementation of a Ten-year Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development of County Sligo 2002-2012. The priorities for 2010 are set by the Board and are outlined in the interview with the chairperson Councillor McLoughlin.
Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee
The Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee is a sub-committee of the County Development Board and is managed by the Community and Enterprise Dept. It secured €1.9m from the under the EU Peace 111 Programme for the delivery of the Sligo Peace Action Plan 2008-10. This funding is being used to deliver an extensive programme of activities in communities across the county addressing sectarianism, racism and conflict resolution. In 2010, the PEACE funded initiatives throughout the county will continue their work which includes projects dealing with sport and peace, a churches initiative, women and peace, new communities, diversity work, urban and rural peace building to name some. A plan for phase 11 of Peace 111 will be devised in 2010 with the hope that further funding will be made available in 2011.
Tourism Development
The Community and Enterprise Department. plays a lead role within the County Council and as a member organisation of the CDB in tourism development for County Sligo. Some of the projects we have delivered in conjunction with other agencies include the provision of new car-park facilities, the development of new walk-ways and upgrading of existing routes.
Support is also provided for unique events and various festivals which take place annually along with funding for Marketing Sligo Forum and Failte Ireland’s marketing programme for Sligo. We are currently working in partnership through the County Development Board structure to develop a unique Co. Sligo Tourism Strategy to attract significant additional visitors to Sligo. In addition the development of a Walking strategy closely linked to a national countywide recreational strategy commenced in 2009 and will be completed in 2010.
Contact Details for Community and Enterprise Department:
Community and Enterprise Department, Sligo County Council, Sligo Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo.Telephone: 071-9111800
Fax: 071-9171860
Arts Service
In 2010 Sligo Arts Service continues to implement the Arts Plan 2007-12, Space for Art. The Arts Officer is Mary McAuliffe and there is a total of four staff on the team.
Like all sections of the County Council we are subject to financial cuts and we have applied them in a way that does not permanently undermine the arts infrastructure of Sligo. Funding is provided for individual artists, venues, networks festivals, events, commissions, residencies, programmes and projects. Grants and programme provision will be affected but every effort will be made to minimise the impact on the sector. Culture Night which was a great success in 2009 will continue in 2010 building on Sligo’s reputation as a cultural centre. The two Arts Office Peace III funded projects will continue in 2010 focusing on the Yeatsian Legacy and the Legacy of Belief. A new round of public art commissions will begin in 2010 building on the very successful Unravelling Developments public art series.
Music
Music in Drumcliffe – May bank holiday weekend festival of chamber (classical) music with Vogler Quartet and Guests from May 1st to 3rd. Brochure available on request or on www.sligoarts.ie .
Sligo Music - Sligo Arts Service is currently developing ‘Sligo Music’ as a mechanism that can bring cohesion and strategic direction to harness Sligo’s music potential.
Children and Young People
Creative Learning Partnerships: The Live Music in the Classroom programme with Sligo Music Education Partnership involves 26 musicians and 28 primary teachers form 17 primary schools and approx 1,000 children throughout County Sligo. In the visual arts, Sligo Arts Service will continue its Primary Colours programme in partnership with Sligo Art Gallery which involves six primary schools, a panel of 10 artists and approximately 200 children.
County Sligo Youth Theatre: In 2010 Sligo Arts Service will continue its support for County Sligo Youth Theatre’s programme of activities delivered to three groups ranging in age from 9 to 2, through a weekly workshop programme at its studio space The Fridge, Lower Quay Street. County Sligo Youth Theatre also supports the development of affiliated Youth Theatre branches in the county; currently this support is focused on the Phoenix Youth branch in Tubbercurry.
Community Programme
Arts and Health: An annual programme of workshops is delivered in community, day care and residential settings in partnership with the HSE West (Services for Older Peoples and Health Promotion), schools and community groups. This is part of HE+ART Arts & Health Strategy 2007-2012 Arts Participation Programme
Bealtaine Festival: This year Bealtaine Sligo will celebrate its 7th festival showcasing creativity in older age throughout Sligo city and county with a month long festival of events, workshops, exhibitions incorporating the Visual Arts, Music, Literature, Drama and Film in May 2010.
Peace III Programme
Two new projects supported by PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Sligo County Council on behalf of Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee are being delivered between August 2009 and October 2010:
Programme 1 Culture/Arts/Heritage: The Yeatsian Legacy
This programme aims to promote an understanding of cultural heritage and the sharing of experiences and expressions of different cultures by exploring the Yeatsian legacy and its impact on the identity of the county and region.
Programme 2 Political/Historical: The Legacy of Belief
This project and process seeks to explore the impact of Anglo Irish heritage, partition and the Northern Ireland conflict on Sligo. The project will provide a sound platform to explore cultural identity, shared history and issues related to sectarianism and racism in Sligo and Derry.
Civic Events
- Some of the events from the 2009 Culture Night
Culture Night Sligo 24th September 2010: Sligo city celebrated its first Culture Night in 2009 and the phenomenal success of the initiative demonstrated the transformative power of Arts and Culture in a time of recession. Through the Arts Office it was delivered by artists, local arts organisations, cultural groups and the individuals listed in the programme of events. In 2009 Bus Eireann Sligo came on board as a key partner through the Sligo Music Bus concept and this partnership will be built on in 2010.
Public Art
- Salmon Point Amenity Area
In 2010 a new series of Public Art Commissions will commence supported by the Department of Heritage, Environment and Local Government Per Cent for Art Scheme.
Contact Details for the Arts Office:
Arts Office, Sligo County Council, Sligo Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo.Telephone: 071-9111826
Fax: 071-9111860
SLIGO COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
What is the Role of the County Development Board?
The County Development Board (CDB) has two main functions, one is to bring together all the main agencies that deliver services in the county to ensure that there is ‘joined up’ thinking and action among the agencies and between the three areas of economic, social and cultural development. The other role is to act as a county team, driving specific initiatives that have a benefit for the county. It was established in 2001 on a statutory basis and is the only structure that has membership from the four sectors of local government, state agencies, local development and the social partners. There are thirty-one members from twenty-three organizations on the Board, who are the heads or representatives of their sectors and agencies. So it is a powerful grouping with a bird’s eye view of what‘s happening in County Sligo.
What are the successes of the County Development Board?
Over the last 9 years the Board has delivered a number of successful projects by bringing together the expertise of its members and relevant local agencies. In the area of social development the Board secured funding for the delivery of a number of projects in the County including Sligo Youth Council and a Lone Parents Initiative.
- Comhairle na nOg or Sligo Youth Council is a partnership involving Sligo County Council, Co Sligo VEC and Foroige. Following a very successful AGM in October 2009, which had over 110 young participants we are now working with 25 young people aged between 15-18 who were democratically elected by their peers to represent their electoral areas on the countywide Comhairle na nOg. We are working to develop the group as the recognised forum for young people in the county.
- We are also very proud of a very successful Lone Parent Career Planning Initiative which was led by Co Sligo VEC and involved a range of other local agencies. The Project saw approximately 107 lone parents access education related to their individual need. The Project was a runner up in the Chambers Excellence in Local Government Awards 2008 under the County Development Board Category.
- On the economic front the Board’s Economic Working Group members have been busy. In 2009, four enterprise promotion events were held in Enniscrone Tubbercurry and Sligo town. These events are part of the effort to respond to needs in the face of the economic downturn. Work was also undertaken on surveying broadband provision in the county and discussions are ongoing with the Dept of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on the National Broadband Scheme and the Rural Broadband Scheme.
What are the Board’s priorities for Sligo in the future?
The key issues being addressed by the Board are broadband, developing a more positive and extensive profile for Sligo, responding to job losses, education and up skilling, tourism, creative industries, cultural development and equality and inclusion. Each organisation that is represented on the Board has a role in some aspect of these issues in their own right, the focus of the Board is to add value to what each member is already doing and fill in where gaps exist, all with the intention of gaining a win for Sligo inc. rather than for any individual group or sector.
One of the overarching objectives of the Board is to develop Sligo’s profile to ensure that the county is profiled as an attractive place to visit, live, work and invest in. The Board are in the process of developing a new website www.sligo.ie with the aim of providing targeted on-line information on services and events in Sligo. It is intended that the site will be of interest to people sourcing details on business and enterprise, education, tourism, public services and current events in Sligo. There are numerous local websites amongst the local agencies on the Board offering a wealth of information on Sligo. It was felt that it would be most useful to streamline this information on one host site by providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ to channel on-line enquiries. The new site is being designed in such a way that it will be easy to navigate, and people will be able to access the required service area straight away.
The Board sees the importance of aligning Sligo’s economic development strategy with tourism and environmental sustainability. Sligo’s attractive location and its pool of creative talent are highlighted by the Board as unique assets of the County. Recent research from the Western Development Commission shows that Sligo has the second highest percentage of people working in the Creative Sector in the Western Development Commission Region at 4.2% of the county’s total employment. With this in mind the County Development Board is looking at the role that creativity can play in the Economic, Social and Cultural Development of the county. Specific proposals will be considered in 2010
Social Inclusion and equality continue to be priorities for the Board and the Social Inclusion Sub Committee is co-ordinating a range of initiatives dealing with early school leaving, domestic violence, childcare, children’s services and new communities as well as services to Travellers, Older People, People with Disabilities and unemployed people. The Joint Policing Committees and the RAPID Programme are also priorities that are monitored by the Board.
What ambitions have you for the recently launched CDB website?
In 2009 we launched two important initiatives, the CDB Priorities and Action Plan 2009-2012 and new website www.sligocdb.ie . The website is mainly informative and highlights the level of collaboration which exists in Sligo between local government, state agencies, local development agencies and the social partners including the community and voluntary sector. On the other hand the sligo.ie website that I spoke about earlier is different in that its focus is on promoting Sligo and providing a portal into the county. We will be launching sligo.ie in the coming months.
The County Development Board has a very busy agenda?
I have only given a broad outline of the work of the Sligo CDB. I would encourage people to visit our website www.sligocdb.ie and to see for themselves the excellent work being delivered on the ground by the Board. Everyone with a sense of pride in their county can play their part, and the CDB will have a pivotal role in seeing Sligo grow and develop in the years ahead.
- Members of current Sligo County Development Board
Member agencies of Sligo County Development Board include: -
Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council, HSE Northwest, FAS, Teagasc, Co Sligo VEC, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Institute of Technology Sligo, St Angela’s College, Western Development Commission, Dept of Education and Science, Dept of Social & Family Affairs, An Garda Siochana, Failte Ireland Northwest, Sligo County Enterprise Board, Sligo Leader Partnership Co, Sligo County Childcare Committee, Sligo Chamber of Commerce, ICTU, Sligo County Community Forum, ICMSA, Environmental Representative.
- Chair of Sligo CDB, Councillor Tony McLoughlin
