Meeting Report
Meeting held: 3.00 p.m on the 5th September 2000
Members present: 23 (of 27)
Chair: Cllr Tom Cowley
Summary:
- Key Concerns and Issues for the County Development Strategy - Report adopted by Members
- Submissions on Consultation Paper No 1 "What are the Issues"
- Minister Noel Dempsey, T.D. addresses Westmeath County Development Board
- Launch of Westmeath Community & Voluntary Forum by Minister Noel Dempsey T.D.
Key Concerns and Issues
The Report of the Director of Community & Enterprise on the Key Concerns and Issues for the County Development Strategy was presented to and adopted by the Members of the Board.
In May/June 2000, Westmeath County Development Board identified and set out its initial outline of the key strategic concerns and issues facing the County. These were published in the Board's Consultation No1 Paper "What are the Issues", and a Public Consultation Process was then undertaken.
The outline of strategic concerns and issues facing County Westmeath has been revised in the light of the responses received through the public consultation.
Westmeath County Development Board will now focus on these areas of strategic concern in preparing the County Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development.
Submissions on Consultation Paper No1
A total of 35 submissions were received as a result of the Public Consultation Process. In the preparation of the County Strategy, Westmeath County Development Board will continue to consult with and encourage participation by stakeholders, client groups, the wider public and Westmeath Community and Voluntary Forum.
Ministers Address to County Development Board
Welcomed to the meeting by the Chairperson Mr Tom Cowley, Minister Dempsey addressed the Members of the Board, and paid tribute to the commitment of individual Board Members and the Director of Community and Enterprise on their achievements to date. He spoke of the next real challenge of drawing up their strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development, and advised that what the Government wants to see the CDB's achieve, is greater coherence in the delivery of public and local development services at local level.He assured the Members of the Governments continued drive and commitment in this regard.
Launch of Westmeath Community and Voluntary Forum
Following his address to the Westmeath County Development Board, The Minister and Members of the Board proceeded to The Arts Centre Mullingar for the official launch of the Westmeath Community and Voluntary Forum.
Over 60 Community & Voluntary Organisations were represented at the Launch, which began with an Address of Welcome by Cllr P.J.O'Shaughnessy, Cathaoirleach, Westmeath County Council, to Minister Dempsey.
Other speakers included Mr Tom Cowley Chairperson, Westmeath County Development Board, Mr Ciaran McGrath, Deputy County Manager, Mr Pat Gallagher, Director of Community & Enterprise, Ms Jacqueline Healy, Commuity & Voluntary Representative (Mullingar Citizens Information Centre/Westmeath Citizens Information Service) and Mr Noel Dempsey T.D. Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
In his address, the Minister stated that from the outset he was determined that all sectors would become fully involved in the County and City Development process, and was very impressed with the effort put into setting up Westmeath's new Community and Voluntary Forum. He stated that the Fora are fundamental to the success of the CDB process, and have the potential to facilitate a real dialogue with a wide range of State bodies at local level. He concluded by saying that all local communities now have a chance to contribute in a meaningful way, through their own Forum, to the future development of the County, and he wished the Westmeath Community and Voluntary Forum al the very best in its endeavours.
