Report of the Director of Community and Enterprise
3.1 Proposals to Progress Work on Areas of Strategic Concern
As agreed at the Board meeting of 5.9.00, there are eight areas of strategic concern on which the Board will focus in preparing the County Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development.
These will now be explored in greater depth in a number of ways through SPC’s, member organisations of WCDB and a number of working groups and fora to be established by the Board. The proposed format for these is attached. If agreed, formal invitations will then issue and work will begin as quickly as possible. Technical support, where required, may be provided through the Board.
In the initial workplan adopted by the Board, it was decided to address the economic, social and cultural areas in sequence. However, I now recommend that for reasons of efficiency and quality, each of the areas of strategic concern should be progressed concurrently.
The groups identified on the attached diagram will be invited, in respect of each of the areas referred to them, to:
- make an assessment of the current situation in the county;
- analyse strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats;
- review any existing relevant strategies and plans;
- prioritise particular themes or issues;
- identify key indicators in measuring performance and change;
- report to the Board by 31.3.01 with recommendations for inclusion in the County Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development.
The proposed membership of working groups is not exclusive and may be amended. Working groups should also be free to invite others with relevant expertise to participate if necessary. Conscious of the commitment that Board members give to meetings, and of the fact that reports will come back to the Board from working groups for consideration, I have minimised the proposed direct membership of working groups by Board members. However, if members wish to contribute in a specific area they may, of course, volunteer for working group membership, or, alternatively, make their views known directly to the group concerned.
I suggest that working groups select their own chairpersons/convenors, except in the case of the proposed Social Inclusion Working Group, where it is recommended that Athlone U.D.C. be invited to nominate the chairperson.
(a) Proposal for Social Inclusion Working Group
At the Board meeting of 6th June, 2000 members were circulated with a letter and report regarding Recommendations on Social Inclusion Measures under the National Development Plan from the Task Force on the Integration of Local Government and Local Development. The essential point made is that the County Development Board is to be the appropriate co-ordinating mechanism for social inclusion measures at local level.
The Board agreed on 6th June, 2000 that proposals to give effect to this should be considered at the next meeting.
Please find attached copy of implementation protocol as agreed with the Task Force Secretariat.
It is recommended that this be approved by the Board.
Subject to this approval, it is further recommended that the Board establish a Social Inclusion Working Group. The role of this Working Group would be two-fold:
- to co-ordinate National Development Plan Social Inclusion Measures at county level as per the attached protocol.
- to undertake the brief outlined for Westmeath County Development Board Working Groups generally (in the Report on key concerns and issues adopted by the Board on 5th September, 2000) in respect of the strategic concern "Ensuring Social Inclusion".
Working Group Members:
Having regard to the information in the tables appended to the Task Force Recommendations on Social Inclusion Measures and its applicability to Co. Westmeath it is recommended that a member of the Working Group be drawn from each of the following organisations:
- Community and Voluntary Forum
- Co. Westmeath VEC
- Local Authorities: 1 elected member and 1 staff member
- Westmeath Community Development
- Athlone Community Taskforce
- Midland Health Board
- FAS
- Department of Social, Community and Family Affair
- Territorial Employment Pact
- Midland Regional Support Agency
- Probation and Welfare Service/Gardai
- Department of Education and non-VEC schools: given the diversity of this grouping, it is recommended that the Education Co-ordinator from the Partnership and the visiting teacher for Travellers should be members of the Working Group.
(b) Proposal for a Sustainable Environment Working Group
It is proposed that this be composed of:
- Chairperson of Environment SPC
- Sectoral Representatives {Farming, Business, Community & Voluntary (2)}
- Local Authority Environment Engineer
- Fisheries Board
- County Veterinary Officer
- Local Agenda 21/Environmental Education Officer
- Teagasc
(c) Proposal for a Community Development and Leadership Working Group
It is proposed that the following would be invited to nominate representatives:
- Westmeath Community Development
- Athlone Community Taskforce
- Midland Regional Support Agency/DSCFA
- Co. Westmeath VEC
- Local Authority
- Community & Voluntary Forum (2)
- Churches
- FAS
(d) Proposal for a Cultural Working Group
It is proposed that the following would be invited to nominate representatives:
- Dúchas
- Community & Voluntary Forum (2)
- Belvedere
- Local Authority
- Co. Library Service
- Westmeath Community Development
- Tourism Interests
- Arts Interests
(e) Proposal for a Transport & Access Working Group
It is proposed that this would be composed of:
- Chairperson of Transport & Infrastructure SPC
- Bus Eireann
- Community & Voluntary Forum (2)
- Local Authority
- Access Officer
- Westmeath Community Development
- Iarnrod Eireann
- Territorial Employment Pact
(f) Proposals to invite associated bodies to undertake work on behalf of the Board
These are as outlined on the attached diagram as follows:
- Planning and Land Use – Planning SPC
- Housing Strategy – Housing SPC
- Developing the Non-Agricultural Economy – Westmeath County Enterprise Board
- Ensuring a Vibrant Rural Development and Agriculture Sector – Westmeath Community Development Ltd.
(g) Proposals to explore other areas requiring development
These are outlined in the attached diagram by way of fora/focus groups as follows:
- Educational Planning and Infrastructure
- Youth Work
- Sports
Further details on these will be brought to the Board at its next meeting.
3.2 Report on Audit of Services
The Audit of Services as per the "Shared Vision" Guidelines is proceeding. Initial responses to the Questionnaire have been received. Mr. Maurice Stenson will update members on progress to date. The Audit is to be completed by the end of this year, so continued co-operation of members in response to requests for clarification or further information will be appreciated.
3.3 Data Analysis Requirements
The Board, its working groups, and bodies to whom it has referred work, will require a considerable amount of data analysis to inform their work and underpin the strategy (cf. Chapters 3, 4 and Appendix 2 in the "Shared Vision" Guidelines). Arrangements are being currently examined with the assistance of the County Manager to meet these data analysis requirements.
Strategic Concerns MAP
