COMMUNITY
Community Initiatives
Carlow County Council continued to build on the strong working relationship it enjoys with all communities throughout County Carlow during 2016. With the Council's assistance the communities are continuing to enhance and develop their areas socially, culturally, environmentally and in a Sustainable manner. Projects which were promoted during 2016 included: Community & Environmental/ Amenity Grants, Local Agenda 21, Carlow Pride of Place and IPB Co-Operation Ireland Pride of Place.
In 2016 County Carlow maintained its reputation for being a County proud of its beautifully presented villages and towns that strive to be litter free and environmentally friendly. This was confirmed in the results achieved in the National Tidy Towns Competition and in Carlow's Pride of Place Awards.
In the 2016 National Tidy Towns Competition Clonegal once again received the highest marks in County Carlow just 2 points behind the overall winner Skerries. Clonegal and Leighlinbridge retained their gold medals status with Carlow receiving a silver medal. Fenagh won the Endeavour Award for a second year in a row with an increase of 12 points on last year's results (highest % increase on last year's marks). Clonmore came first in their category receiving a County commended award for the first time.
The majority of the 19 entrants from County Carlow increased their points reflecting the dedication and hard work of the Tidy Towns Groups and their volunteers. The high standard is achieved and maintained by the positive co-operation and partnerships that exists between the community groups, Carlow County Council and other agencies. Tidy Towns Groups throughout the county are supported by personnel in the Community Section. This year the Section organised a number of workshops for groups including Protection of Wildlife Habitats & Natural Amenities with IPCC and Tidy Towns Application Form - Practical Tips with Billy Flynn a Tidy Towns adjudicator. Clinics were held for one to one support sessions for groups wishing to avail of extra support with their applications.
Carlow's Pride of Place continues to be a great success, in 2016 over 100 groups from across the county entered, with over 187 entries in the different categories from Tidy Towns Groups, Residents Associations, Community & Voluntary Agencies, Schools and Businesses. This initiative encourages all individuals and communities in the county to enhance the presentation of their town, village or estate; keep their area litter free, preserve local heritage; continue to build community spirit and reflect the pride generated by enhancing the environment in which one lives, which has both a social and an economic spin off.
The success of this initiative would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of communities throughout County Carlow and the support of the elected members. The awards were presented by Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Cllr. John Murphy, Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow Cllr. Fintan Phelan and Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Muinebheag Cllr. Thomas Kinsella.
At the Awards Ceremony which was held on October 13th 2016 in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow, Rathanna was announced as the Overall Winner in the Town and Villages Category.
Hillbrook Estate, Tullow won the new Overall Award for Estates.
Carlow County Council presented over 60 prizes to the value of €20,750 to community groups throughout the County. Categories included Estates, Schools, Anti -Litter, Burial Grounds, Heritage and Environment as well as towns and villages. The Business Awards Category was sponsored by the County Carlow Chamber of Commerce. Carlow Public Participation Network sponsored the Individual Award winner.
The Community of Borris and Carlow Older Persons Forum were nominated to represent County Carlow in the IPB Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Competition 2016. A Recognition Night to celebrate and acknowledge the work and commitment shown by both groups in representing the County in the competition was held in September in the Town Hall.
Borris won the top prize in their category at the annual IPB Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Awards, which were announced in November at a gala event in Belfast.
Environmental / Amenity Grant Scheme 2016
A total of 171 grants were awarded to Community Groups/Residents Associations and schools throughout the county. Qualifying works included landscaping and development of open-spaces; amenity development on river/stream banks; provision of picnic facilities; painting; provision of litterbins/anti-litter initiatives, improvements in burial grounds and general enhancement of areas. Grant funding of €58,000 was awarded in 2016.
Community Grant Scheme 2016
A total of 40 grants were awarded to Community Groups throughout the County under this scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support community and voluntary groups in County Carlow who undertake projects that will:
Discretionary Funding
A total of 137 grants were awarded by Elected Members to Residents and Tidy Towns Groups, Community Voluntary Organisations, Schools and Sporting Organisations from their Discretionary Funds.
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund
Through funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, and match funding from Carlow County Council, a total of €17,000 was allocated to 17 community groups in County Carlow. These groups have undertaken projects that contributed to increasing environmental awareness at local level or which promoted building greener, more sustainable communities.
The Plots Community Garden & Allotment Project
This continues to be a very successful working partnership with the communities of St Mary's Park and Rathnapish, St Catherine's Community Services Centre and Carlow County Council. The composting area is now working well. In the past year turkeys were raised for Christmas dinner and the garden has continued to house 8 laying hens with the local community enjoying their free range eggs. It is also a learning opportunity for the children to raise their awareness about hens.
The main objectives of this initiative are to:
Carlow Traveller Interagency Group (TIG) monitors the implementation of the actions contained in the Interagency Traveller Strategy through their four Thematic Groups: Accommodation & Relationships (Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee); Education, Community Development & Arts; Employment, Training and Business Opportunities; Health & Lifestyle, which were established to oversee the implementation of the actions. In 2016 a mapping exercise was undertaken with funding support from Traveller Policy Division, the Department of Justice & Equality. Members participated in training on inter-culturalism which was given by the Primary Health Care Workers from St Catherine's Community Services Centre. A very successful Traveller Pride Week was organised in June by Carlow Traveller Network with support from St Catherine's.
An inter-agency grant application was successful in securing funding for a 1 day training for servicers providers working with the Roma Community in County Carlow.
New Oak Community Centre
Community staff continue to provide support for New Oak Community Centre Steering Committee
Carlow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
The LCDC is a committee of the Council but independent in the performance of its functions. Membership of the LCDC was increased from seventeen to nineteen during 2016 and consists of both statutory and non-statutory including four elected members. The following resigned from the committee in 2016, Cllr Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Ann Shortall, Social Inclusion PPN Representative, Fr Caoimhín O'Neill Civic Society. These members were replaced by Cllr Arthur McDonald, Josephine Tierney & Brian Hand. The two additional members are Eileen O'Rourke Carlow Tourism and Anna Marie Lanigan Health Service Executive. The LCDC is a committee of the Council but independent in the performance of its functions.
Carlow LCDC Members are:
Statutory Interests
Non Statutory Interests
Five LCDC/LAG Meetings were held in 2016 as follows:
Carlow was allocated €6,416,803.43m under the Rural Development Programme for the period 2014 -2020. The LCDC has approved Carlow County Development Partnership Ltd as Lead Implementing Partner for the Rural Development Programme. The Carlow County Local Development Strategy was submitted to the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government on 15th January 2016 following consideration by members of the LCDC and sign off by the LCDC LEADER Sub Committee and Chairperson. The Strategy was prepared by Carlow County Development Partnership CLG through a "bottom - up" process facilitating participation by members of the rural community and taking full and comprehensive consideration of not just local needs but also local potential. The strategy is complementary to Carlow County Council's strategic planning process which provides for a more integrated approach to community development at local level. The Strategy sets out how LEADER funding will be best used to support the sustainable development of County Carlow. The Strategy was approved by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in June 2016. And on 8th July 2016, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched the LEADER Rural Development Programme in Virgina, Cavan on the where the Carlow LEADER Funding Agreement/Contract was signed by Minister Heather Humphries, Eamonn Moore, Chairperson of the LCDC, Margaret Moore, Financial Partner Carlow County Council and Clare O'Shea, Implementation Partner Carlow County Development Partnership CLG.
The LCDC/LAG approved LEADER Call for Proposals in respect of the following themes at its meeting held on 2nd September 2016 which are managed by Carlow County Development Partnership CLG, Implementing Partner
LEADER Call for Proposals were advertised in respect of Regeneration of Rural Towns/Villages and Festivals targeting a National Audience with closing dates respectively of the 18th October and 18th November 2016 for receipt of Expression of Interest's. The LAG approved/rejected recommendations in respect of same at its meeting held on 2nd December 2016.
The LCDC/LAG has approved /considered the following:
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the successor programme to the Local Community Development Programme. SICAP is a local social inclusion programme focussed on the most marginalised in Irish Society.
SICAP funding of €536,428 was allocated to County Carlow for the year 2016. The LCDC is the contracting authority and Carlow County Development Partnership is the Programme Implementer. The LCDC reviewed the 2015 SICAP Annual Plan in January 2016 and approved the SICAP Annual Plan 2016. The 2016 SICAP Annual Plan Mid Term review for the period January – June 2016 was reviewed by the members in 2016 and the SICAP Annual Plan for 2017 was considered in December 2016. A sub group of the LCDC committee comprising of Andrea Dalton and Noel Barry including Michael Brennan, Chief Officer and Margaret Moore, Community met on a numbers of occasions during 2016 to examine and review the implementation of the programme with Karl Duffy Carlow County Development Partnership, Programme Implementer. All headline targets in the SICAP Programme was achieved by the Programme Implementer for 2016.
Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP)
The Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides a stronger and clearer role for local government in economic and community development. This is a key element in achieving the vision set out in the Action Programme for Effective Local Government - Putting People First "local government will be the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level, leading economic, social and community development."
Section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides for the making of a six year integrated Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).
The preparation of the Plan is the responsibility of the Carlow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Carlow County Council. The Community elements of the Plan were developed by the Local Community Development Committee and economic elements by Carlow County Council through the strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic Development, Enterprise Support and Planning.
The purpose of the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) for County Carlow, is to identify and implement actions to strengthen and develop the economic and community development dimensions of the local authority area over the six year period 2016-2021 and in a manner that both reflects and supports the implementation of the existing Carlow County Development Plan, Joint Spatial Plan for Carlow and the Draft Guidelines and proposed Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs), to be prepared by the Regional Assembly and the new National Planning Framework which will replace the National Spatial Strategy. In preparing the LECP, it was necessary also to consider the proposed Rural Development Strategy for County Carlow 2014 to 2020, the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Government's Action Plan for Jobs.
The draft plan went out on public consultation on the 22nd December 2015 with a closing date for comments/observations on 22nd January 2016. The LCDC considered and approved the draft plan following the public consultation process at its meeting held on the 27th January 2016 with amendments. Carlow County adopted the draft Local Economic and Community Plan, "County Carlow 2021 Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021" at its meeting held on 8th February 2016. The role of the LCDC will be to implement, oversee, coordinate, monitor and review the plan in partnership with Carlow County Council. The National Oversight Audit Commission (NOAC) and the LECP Advisory Steering Group will also have a monitoring role in the implementation of the Plan. The Plan will be implemented in three cycles of two year periods through an Implementation plan and the Implementation Plan for the period 2016-2018 has been considered and approved by the LCDC and Carlow County Council. During 2017 LEAD Agencies identified in the Plan will report to the LCDC by delivering a verbal/written progress report on the actions detailed in the Implementation Plan.
The Local Economic and Community Plan was launched by the Cathaoirleach Cllr Charlie Murphy in Carlow in July and by Minister Simon Coveney Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government at the National Ploughing Championships in September.
The LCDC also adopted/considered the following:
This Inter-agency Committee is responsible for improving the lives of children and families at local and community level through integrated planning, working and service delivery and ensures that professionals and agencies work together 2016 was a busy year for this interagency committee
Comhairli na nOg/Youth Councils were established in response to the 10 year National Children Strategy launched in 2001 by the Department of Health and Children and was set up in 34 City and County Development Boards around the Country. Under the auspices of these City/County Development Boards, Comhairle na nOg is the responsibility of the local authority in each area. In County Carlow, Comhairle na nOg is managed by Carlow Regional Youth Services in conjunction with the Community Section of Carlow County Council. It is a forum for structured input into decision making by children and young people in the development of local services and policies that impact on young people's lives.
The Carlow Age Friendly Subgroup continued to support the delivery of actions of the County Age Friendly Strategy, and to drive the implementation of the Carlow Town Plan actions and some highlights are as follows;
Carlow Volunteer Centre had a very busy year, surpassing many of its main targets that were set and engaged in a range of activities that have effectively promoted and supported volunteering across the County of Carlow, activities such as the vital placement service, Volunteer Management Training, Garda Vetting, working with community and local development groups.
Carlow County Council continued to build on the strong working relationship it enjoys with all communities throughout County Carlow during 2016. With the Council's assistance the communities are continuing to enhance and develop their areas socially, culturally, environmentally and in a Sustainable manner. Projects which were promoted during 2016 included: Community & Environmental/ Amenity Grants, Local Agenda 21, Carlow Pride of Place and IPB Co-Operation Ireland Pride of Place.
In 2016 County Carlow maintained its reputation for being a County proud of its beautifully presented villages and towns that strive to be litter free and environmentally friendly. This was confirmed in the results achieved in the National Tidy Towns Competition and in Carlow's Pride of Place Awards.
In the 2016 National Tidy Towns Competition Clonegal once again received the highest marks in County Carlow just 2 points behind the overall winner Skerries. Clonegal and Leighlinbridge retained their gold medals status with Carlow receiving a silver medal. Fenagh won the Endeavour Award for a second year in a row with an increase of 12 points on last year's results (highest % increase on last year's marks). Clonmore came first in their category receiving a County commended award for the first time.
Carlow's Pride of Place continues to be a great success, in 2016 over 100 groups from across the county entered, with over 187 entries in the different categories from Tidy Towns Groups, Residents Associations, Community & Voluntary Agencies, Schools and Businesses. This initiative encourages all individuals and communities in the county to enhance the presentation of their town, village or estate; keep their area litter free, preserve local heritage; continue to build community spirit and reflect the pride generated by enhancing the environment in which one lives, which has both a social and an economic spin off.
The success of this initiative would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of communities throughout County Carlow and the support of the elected members. The awards were presented by Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Cllr. John Murphy, Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow Cllr. Fintan Phelan and Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Muinebheag Cllr. Thomas Kinsella.
At the Awards Ceremony which was held on October 13th 2016 in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow, Rathanna was announced as the Overall Winner in the Town and Villages Category.
Hillbrook Estate, Tullow won the new Overall Award for Estates.
The Community of Borris and Carlow Older Persons Forum were nominated to represent County Carlow in the IPB Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Competition 2016. A Recognition Night to celebrate and acknowledge the work and commitment shown by both groups in representing the County in the competition was held in September in the Town Hall.
Environmental / Amenity Grant Scheme 2016
A total of 171 grants were awarded to Community Groups/Residents Associations and schools throughout the county. Qualifying works included landscaping and development of open-spaces; amenity development on river/stream banks; provision of picnic facilities; painting; provision of litterbins/anti-litter initiatives, improvements in burial grounds and general enhancement of areas. Grant funding of €58,000 was awarded in 2016.
Community Grant Scheme 2016
A total of 40 grants were awarded to Community Groups throughout the County under this scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support community and voluntary groups in County Carlow who undertake projects that will:
- Carry out a service or activity that makes a contribution to the quality of life in their local community.
- Increase voluntary activity.
- Target the social excluded and increase their opportunities for participation.
- Support the valuable contribution of community and voluntary organisations in County Carlow.
Discretionary Funding
A total of 137 grants were awarded by Elected Members to Residents and Tidy Towns Groups, Community Voluntary Organisations, Schools and Sporting Organisations from their Discretionary Funds.
Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund
Through funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, and match funding from Carlow County Council, a total of €17,000 was allocated to 17 community groups in County Carlow. These groups have undertaken projects that contributed to increasing environmental awareness at local level or which promoted building greener, more sustainable communities.
The Plots Community Garden & Allotment Project
This continues to be a very successful working partnership with the communities of St Mary's Park and Rathnapish, St Catherine's Community Services Centre and Carlow County Council. The composting area is now working well. In the past year turkeys were raised for Christmas dinner and the garden has continued to house 8 laying hens with the local community enjoying their free range eggs. It is also a learning opportunity for the children to raise their awareness about hens.
The main objectives of this initiative are to:
- Provide a space for individuals and groups to grow their own vegetables.
- Promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles through growing fresh food and availing of daily exercise.
- Promote community development, integration and pride through co-operative working with different sections of the community
- Enhance the local environment.
- Act as a training facility for people not in employment, education or training by providing a combination of horticultural training with literacy, numeracy, personal development and job preparation modules while supporting participants to address their barriers to progression.
Carlow Traveller Interagency Group (TIG) monitors the implementation of the actions contained in the Interagency Traveller Strategy through their four Thematic Groups: Accommodation & Relationships (Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee); Education, Community Development & Arts; Employment, Training and Business Opportunities; Health & Lifestyle, which were established to oversee the implementation of the actions. In 2016 a mapping exercise was undertaken with funding support from Traveller Policy Division, the Department of Justice & Equality. Members participated in training on inter-culturalism which was given by the Primary Health Care Workers from St Catherine's Community Services Centre. A very successful Traveller Pride Week was organised in June by Carlow Traveller Network with support from St Catherine's.
An inter-agency grant application was successful in securing funding for a 1 day training for servicers providers working with the Roma Community in County Carlow.
New Oak Community Centre
Community staff continue to provide support for New Oak Community Centre Steering Committee
Carlow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
The LCDC is a committee of the Council but independent in the performance of its functions. Membership of the LCDC was increased from seventeen to nineteen during 2016 and consists of both statutory and non-statutory including four elected members. The following resigned from the committee in 2016, Cllr Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, Ann Shortall, Social Inclusion PPN Representative, Fr Caoimhín O'Neill Civic Society. These members were replaced by Cllr Arthur McDonald, Josephine Tierney & Brian Hand. The two additional members are Eileen O'Rourke Carlow Tourism and Anna Marie Lanigan Health Service Executive. The LCDC is a committee of the Council but independent in the performance of its functions.
Carlow LCDC Members are:
Statutory Interests
| Sector | Members Name | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Local Government | Michael Doran Charlie Murphy Arthur McDonald William Quinn Kathleen Holohan Kieran Comerford |
Members of Carlow County Council Chief Executive Head of Enterprise |
| State Agencies |
Noel Barry Cynthia Deane Anna-Marie Lanigan |
Department of Social Protection Kilkenny/Carlow Education & Training Board HSE |
| Sector | Members Name | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Local & Community Development
|
Thomas Kelly Mary Doyle Josephine Tierney Andrea Dalton Eamon Moore |
Drumphea Cemetery Committee (PPN Community and Voluntary Rep) Hacketstown Community Group (PPN Community and Voluntary Rep) Bagenalstown Family Resource Centre(PPN Social Inclusion Rep) St Catherine's Community Services Centre(PPN Social Inclusion Rep) PPN Environmental Pillar Rep |
| Social Economic and Community Interests
|
Mary Walsh John Brophy John Nolan Brian Hand Eileen O'Rourke | Carlow County Development Partnership CLG Carlow Chamber (Business Employer) Agricultural / Farming Civic Society Carlow Tourism |
- 27th January 2016
- 13th April 2016
- 6th July 2016
- 2nd September 2016
- 2nd December 2016
- Rural Development Programme (LEADER)
- Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP)
- Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)
Carlow was allocated €6,416,803.43m under the Rural Development Programme for the period 2014 -2020. The LCDC has approved Carlow County Development Partnership Ltd as Lead Implementing Partner for the Rural Development Programme. The Carlow County Local Development Strategy was submitted to the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government on 15th January 2016 following consideration by members of the LCDC and sign off by the LCDC LEADER Sub Committee and Chairperson. The Strategy was prepared by Carlow County Development Partnership CLG through a "bottom - up" process facilitating participation by members of the rural community and taking full and comprehensive consideration of not just local needs but also local potential. The strategy is complementary to Carlow County Council's strategic planning process which provides for a more integrated approach to community development at local level. The Strategy sets out how LEADER funding will be best used to support the sustainable development of County Carlow. The Strategy was approved by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in June 2016. And on 8th July 2016, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched the LEADER Rural Development Programme in Virgina, Cavan on the where the Carlow LEADER Funding Agreement/Contract was signed by Minister Heather Humphries, Eamonn Moore, Chairperson of the LCDC, Margaret Moore, Financial Partner Carlow County Council and Clare O'Shea, Implementation Partner Carlow County Development Partnership CLG.
The LCDC/LAG approved LEADER Call for Proposals in respect of the following themes at its meeting held on 2nd September 2016 which are managed by Carlow County Development Partnership CLG, Implementing Partner
- Community Infrastructure Projects
- Community Tourism Festival Projects
- Enterprises in excess of 10 employees who serve the domestic market only
- Community projects in hard to reach communities
- Rural Enterprises with less than 10 employees and a turnover of €2m
- Tourism Project development
LEADER Call for Proposals were advertised in respect of Regeneration of Rural Towns/Villages and Festivals targeting a National Audience with closing dates respectively of the 18th October and 18th November 2016 for receipt of Expression of Interest's. The LAG approved/rejected recommendations in respect of same at its meeting held on 2nd December 2016.
The LCDC/LAG has approved /considered the following:
- LEADER Evaluation Committee
- LEADER Financial Report for 2016
- LEADER Evaluation Committee Scoring Record
- Draft LEADER Procedures Manual
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is the successor programme to the Local Community Development Programme. SICAP is a local social inclusion programme focussed on the most marginalised in Irish Society.
SICAP funding of €536,428 was allocated to County Carlow for the year 2016. The LCDC is the contracting authority and Carlow County Development Partnership is the Programme Implementer. The LCDC reviewed the 2015 SICAP Annual Plan in January 2016 and approved the SICAP Annual Plan 2016. The 2016 SICAP Annual Plan Mid Term review for the period January – June 2016 was reviewed by the members in 2016 and the SICAP Annual Plan for 2017 was considered in December 2016. A sub group of the LCDC committee comprising of Andrea Dalton and Noel Barry including Michael Brennan, Chief Officer and Margaret Moore, Community met on a numbers of occasions during 2016 to examine and review the implementation of the programme with Karl Duffy Carlow County Development Partnership, Programme Implementer. All headline targets in the SICAP Programme was achieved by the Programme Implementer for 2016.
Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP)
Section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides for the making of a six year integrated Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).
The preparation of the Plan is the responsibility of the Carlow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Carlow County Council. The Community elements of the Plan were developed by the Local Community Development Committee and economic elements by Carlow County Council through the strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic Development, Enterprise Support and Planning.
The purpose of the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) for County Carlow, is to identify and implement actions to strengthen and develop the economic and community development dimensions of the local authority area over the six year period 2016-2021 and in a manner that both reflects and supports the implementation of the existing Carlow County Development Plan, Joint Spatial Plan for Carlow and the Draft Guidelines and proposed Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs), to be prepared by the Regional Assembly and the new National Planning Framework which will replace the National Spatial Strategy. In preparing the LECP, it was necessary also to consider the proposed Rural Development Strategy for County Carlow 2014 to 2020, the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Government's Action Plan for Jobs.
The draft plan went out on public consultation on the 22nd December 2015 with a closing date for comments/observations on 22nd January 2016. The LCDC considered and approved the draft plan following the public consultation process at its meeting held on the 27th January 2016 with amendments. Carlow County adopted the draft Local Economic and Community Plan, "County Carlow 2021 Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021" at its meeting held on 8th February 2016. The role of the LCDC will be to implement, oversee, coordinate, monitor and review the plan in partnership with Carlow County Council. The National Oversight Audit Commission (NOAC) and the LECP Advisory Steering Group will also have a monitoring role in the implementation of the Plan. The Plan will be implemented in three cycles of two year periods through an Implementation plan and the Implementation Plan for the period 2016-2018 has been considered and approved by the LCDC and Carlow County Council. During 2017 LEAD Agencies identified in the Plan will report to the LCDC by delivering a verbal/written progress report on the actions detailed in the Implementation Plan.
The Local Economic and Community Plan was launched by the Cathaoirleach Cllr Charlie Murphy in Carlow in July and by Minister Simon Coveney Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government at the National Ploughing Championships in September.
The LCDC also adopted/considered the following:
- LCDC, 2015 Annual Report
- Amendments to Standing Orders
- Declaration of Interest - Conflict of Interest
- Town& Village Renewal Scheme
- Review of South Carlow REDZ Project
- Report from Carlow Public Participation Network
- Nomination of LCDC member Ms Josephine Tierney to Carlow Suicide Prevention Planning group
- Report from Edmond Connolly South East Regional Skills Forum Manager
- Operations of the LCDC
- SICAP
- LEADER
- Our Communities - A framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland.
This Inter-agency Committee is responsible for improving the lives of children and families at local and community level through integrated planning, working and service delivery and ensures that professionals and agencies work together 2016 was a busy year for this interagency committee
- The new 3 year Action Plan was developed and finalised in the latter half of 2016.
- In November 2016 CCCYPSC were successful in their application to acquire seed funding to enable actions from the Action Plan to be carried out. They received the maximum of €25,000.
Comhairli na nOg/Youth Councils were established in response to the 10 year National Children Strategy launched in 2001 by the Department of Health and Children and was set up in 34 City and County Development Boards around the Country. Under the auspices of these City/County Development Boards, Comhairle na nOg is the responsibility of the local authority in each area. In County Carlow, Comhairle na nOg is managed by Carlow Regional Youth Services in conjunction with the Community Section of Carlow County Council. It is a forum for structured input into decision making by children and young people in the development of local services and policies that impact on young people's lives.
- On 15th November Carlow Comhairle na nOg held their annual AGM with excellent participation from the Post-Primary Schools around the County.
- Carlow Comhairle members participated in the National Comhairle Showcase Event on 24th November in Croke Park, Dublin with the Minister for Children and Young People, Katherine Zapponne in attendance. Continuing to support the 2016 Comhairle Annual Plan which will be focused on transport issues for young people in County Carlow
The Carlow Age Friendly Subgroup continued to support the delivery of actions of the County Age Friendly Strategy, and to drive the implementation of the Carlow Town Plan actions and some highlights are as follows;
- The Age Friendly Interagency Committee has started forward planning for the development of the new 5 year strategy for the period 2017-2022. Debra O'Neill, Consultant has been engaged to lead the development of this strategy. This will be in the guise of individual surveys, interviews with the relevant stakeholders and two public meetings in each Municipal district.
- In October 2016 Eileen Brophy was appointed as the Chairperson of the Age Friendly Committee, replacing Mary White.
Carlow Volunteer Centre had a very busy year, surpassing many of its main targets that were set and engaged in a range of activities that have effectively promoted and supported volunteering across the County of Carlow, activities such as the vital placement service, Volunteer Management Training, Garda Vetting, working with community and local development groups.
- Due to consistent significant cuts in budget over the last number of years, Carlow Volunteer Centre remained in accommodation provided by Carlow County Council.
- Personnel in the Community Department continued to support the Volunteer Centre.
- Information on volunteering options
- Support and advice for those with extra support needs
- Placement & brokerage
- Recognition and appreciation events
- Text-message alerts
- Media profiles/Awareness raising
- Social media
- Schools Transition Year Volunteering
- 3rd Level Outreach Volunteering
- I.T Carlow Volunteering Award
- Corporate volunteering team days
- Presentations on specific volunteering themes - i.e. environmental, disability, unemployment
- Advertising volunteer vacancies
- Advice and support
- Documentation templates - e.g. volunteer policies, role descriptions etc.
- Consultancy on specific issues
- Volunteer Management Training
- Garda Vetting access
- Seminars on relevant topics
- Recruitment events - Volunteer Expo, Carlow IT Volunteering Fair
- "Once-off/Event Volunteers" list
- Regular email updates
- Access to national volunteer recognition
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Carlow County Council, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7 Tel. +353 59 9170300. |