Cathriona MacCarthy Administrative Officer, Community Section, delivered a presentation on the LCDC Annual Report. The approved Roscommon LCDC Annual Report 2023 was circulated to members before the meeting.

Ms MacCarthy outlined the following:

·        Under Statutory requirement, each LCDC must prepare, adopt, and submit an Annual Report to the Local Authority in respect of the performance of its functions for the previous year.

·        The Annual Report submitted is in relation to the functions and activities carried out by Roscommon LCDC in 2023.

• One of the main functions of the LCDC is to review the previous Economic and Community Plan (LECP), prepare and implement the community elements of the new 6 year LECP, consider a draft of the economic elements of the plan, and adopt a statement for consideration of the Council.
• Public consultation took place in March-May 2023, via social media platforms, community focus groups, public surveys, and Public Participation Network (PPN) survey, with over 7,000 people engaging with the process.
• The plan was adopted and launched in March 2024.
• The SICAP Programme 2018-2023 supported 48 community groups, and supported 535 individuals, and the 2023 budget was €810,978.
• The LEADER Rural Development Programme supported 26 projects to completion in 2023 with total funding drawn down of €1,843,677.82.
• Roscommon County Council were allocation €279,884 for the Community Support Fund.
• The Health and Wellbeing sub-committee of the LCDC facilitated the funding for Healthy Ireland Round 4; and partnered up with Roscommon Sports Partnership for the delivery of programmes such as Fit Farmers, Age Friendly Activity Programme, and Children’s Multisport Camps.
• They also partnered with Roscommon LEADER Partnership on the delivery of Woodlands for Health and Health and Wellbeing Support Events.
• The Social Inclusion Capital Activation Programme (SICAP) 2024-2028 is aimed at promoting social inclusion, community development, and the well-being of disadvantaged individuals and communities.  SICAP provides funding for training to enhance skills and employment, access to services for all, and addresses local needs.
• The new LEADER Programme is now underway with a budget of €6.8m over 5 years. Roscommon Leader Partnership is the implementing partner and Roscommon County Council is the Financial Partner.

Members responded favourably to the report.

• Cllr. Fitzmaurice praised the previous LEADER Programme as beneficial to many community groups in Roscommon; and praised the flexibility of the time frames to apply for funding.
• The new programme moved seamlessly from the old programme.
• Organisations are finding significant inflation in costs and some projects may not go ahead due to the level of funding available to them, which may require a discussion.
• A proposal was made to send a letter to Minister Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys to thank her for her generosity and involvement in projects.
• An issue was raised with match funding as projects must be completed to acquire the funding which makes it difficult to acquire funding to complete projects.
• It was mentioned that funding and bridging funding is available from the WDC where the LCDC pays the WDC once the project is completed. It was noted that interest rates have increased from 1% to 5%.
• The benefit and funding of the LCDC through County Roscommon is visible in every community across the county.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Callaghan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to send a letter to Minister Heather Humphreys thanking her for her efforts and continued support to County Roscommon.

Caitriona MacCarthy acknowledged the query regarding match funding and advised that there will be a discussion about it in the near future.

Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan, spoke as chairperson of the LCDC thanked the Community team and Caitriona MacCarthy for their work on the LCDC. He acknowledged the successful LEADER Programme and the new phase in a multi-million-euro programme. He praised the excellent collaboration between Elected Members, nominees through the PPN, and Roscommon LEADER Partnership to deliver a very successful programme.