Una Ní Chuinn, Chief Officer of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) gave a presentation to the Members on the Draft Roscommon County Local Economic and Community 2023-2029 that has come before the members for adoption:

·         This is a six-year plan to promote economic development and improve the quality of life for those living in the county and is supported by a two-year implementation plan

·         The plan is a multi-agency one, aligned with national and regional plans and has an increased focus on sustainability.

·         Membership of LCDC (19 members) is drawn from Statutory and Non Statutory Interests.

·         There was extensive public consultation process with as many as four thousand people engaging though one-to-one initiatives, surveys and online seminars.

·         The plan identified six ‘high level’ goals and 55 actions which are consistent with the vision of the county to make it a location of choice for people to live, work, visit and play.

·         The high level goals include welcoming and celebrating communities; attracting retaining and promoting employment; vibrant culture, arts and heritage; collaboration with people working together, supporting well-being and prioritising sustainable development.

·         The goals of the plan underpin the goals of all other plans such as the Arts Plan.

·         The plan went to the NWRA for review and is consistent with their goals and objectives.

·         The LECP will inform future Rural Renewal Development Funding and Urban Renewal Development Funding (URDF) applications

·         The SPC adopted the final plan on 7^th December as did the LCDC on 13^th December. The plan had been adopted by the LCDC. If approved by members today, it will be submitted to the Minister in the New Year and published.

·         Its implementation will be monitored every two months by the LCDC (Local Community Development Company) with a review in two years’ time.

The Members welcomed the finalisation of the plan, acknowledging the wide consultation and contributions to the plan – a wide ranging plan and the blueprint for the next six years.

The Chairperson of the Economic Development and Enterprise Support (including Tourism, Culture and Libraries) SPC, Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice, welcome the plan and thanked everyone who contributed to it – it is a good focal point and reference to improve our county – it is also ambitious and hopefully will achieve a lot during its lifetime.

As a member of the NWRA, Cllr. Naughten said that the Assembly complemented the quality of the report – on of the best in the region.

The Chief Executive, also Chairperson of the LCDC, said considerable work had gone into the preparation of the report with a common theme to make Roscommon the best place it can be. It is sustainable and integral to everything we do in the future. He thanked everyone who contributed to the plan and assisted in its preparation.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the Roscommon County Local Economic and Community Plan 2023-29.