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Apologies for non-attendance were received from Cllr. Lorcan Allen, Cllr.
Larry O’Brien, Cllr. Padge Reck, Supt. Michael Murphy,
Michael McGuire, Sean Mythen, Eleanor White, John O'Sullivan, Joe Phelan, Con
Pierce, Tom Power, Emer Lovett, Gary Breen, Margaret Doyle and Murt Flynn.
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Minutes:
On the proposal of Sean Mythen, seconded by Joe Thomas, the
Minutes of the Meeting of the County Development Board held on 3rd December,
2003 were adopted.
Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
The chairman formally welcomed Cllr. Josephine Doyle as a new member to the
board of Wexford CDB. He also thanked Murt Flynn who is retiring from the
CDB for his contribution and service on the board over the last number of
years.
Correspondence:
Dept. of The Environment, Heritage and Local Government: Circular LG
04/04 Re: Improving Local and Community Development Structures and
Programmes.
South East Regional Airport: Letter Re: New Route from Waterford to
Manchester.
National Children’s Office: Letter Re: Ireland’s First National Play
Policy.
Dept. of Education and Science: Letter from DES Re: National
Consultation Process on the Irish Education System.
Directors Report:
The Director of Community and Enterprise presented a detailed report on the
following items:
| (i) |
Implementation of the Strategy
As was agreed at the December meeting of the County Development Board,
the director reported that the CDB strategy had been streamlined to a
reduced number of key objectives within the original framework of
economic, social and cultural development and had been circulated to the
members.
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| (ii) |
Improving local and
community development structures and programmes
The director reported that the above initiative has approved a range of
measures aimed at improving local and community services on the ground,
and he outlined a number of proposals on this issue to be examined by
the board as a full agenda item later at this meeting.
In relation to the Endorsement Process, it was noted that the SIM Group
had recommended a number of agencies/organisations plans for endorsement
by the County Development Board.
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| (iii) |
RAPID Programme
He reported that the work of the two RAPID areas in New Ross and Wexford
Town was proceeding and that a progress report on the implementation of
the local area action plans in both RAPID areas would be presented at
this meeting.
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| (iv) |
SIM Group
He reported that the SIM group met on the 25th of February last. The
group approved the revised format for the social section of the County
Development Board Strategy. They endorsed all of the project
applications submitted under RAPID. Reports were submitted from the
following local development agencies:
- Templeshannon CDP
- WORD
- South West Wexford CDP (SWWCDP)
- Wexford Area Partnership
- WolfeTone Women’s Group
- WAP
- Access 2000
All of these plans were endorsed by the SIM and recommended for approval
by the CDB. It was noted that a short progress report on the endorsement
process in Wexford has been forwarded to the DEHLG as requested by them.
It was noted that in line with the above review of local structures
outlined above, the SIM have agreed to select travellers as the priority
target group for 2004. The work will focus on implementing the actions
in the Traveller Paper, which has been approved by the CDB. An
introductory meeting of relevant personnel has taken place and a further
meeting is scheduled for the 11th of March next.
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| (v) |
Suicide Prevention
Action Plan
It was noted that the Suicide Prevention Taskgroup established under the
auspices of the CDB and chaired by the South Eastern Health Board had
produced a Suicide Prevention Action Plan which will be launched on the
19th of April, next.
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| (vi) |
Local Sports
Partnership
The County Development Board submitted an application to the Irish
Sports Council seeking the approval of a local sports partnership for
the County. It was noted that while scoring highly, this application was
not short-listed for approval.
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| (vii) |
I.T. Tracking
System
The director reported that the LGCSB have developed an I.T. System to
facilitate the tracking of the CDB strategy. Initial training on the
system is being delivered. A regional training programme will be
developed and agencies will be asked to nominate in due course.
It was noted that the revised CDB strategy when approved will be
inputted onto this system.
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| (viii) |
Comhairle na n-Óg
He reported that the third Wexford Comhairle na n-Óg will take place in
Wexford in the Autumn. He stated that it presents an ideal vehicle for
each agency to conduct consultation with young Wexford people in
relation to the development of service plans or other needs, and that a
letter will issue to each agency shortly with further details.
It was noted that the percentage of local schools involved in the local
Youth Council/ Comhairle na n-Óg scheme has now been listed as one of 42
local authority service indicators by the Department of The Environment,
Heritage & Local Government.
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(ix) |
Co. Wexford
Childcare Committee
He reported that the Co. Wexford Childcare Committee has recently held
their first AGM, and copies of the report were circulated. He stated
that the 2004 childcare census is currently underway in the county and
that the report will be published in June. It was noted that
collaboration and cooperation at local level continue to function well.
At national level the EOCP funding programme for capital and staffing
grant applications is currently under review, large-scale County Wexford
applications are still on hold.
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(x) |
Education in Co. Wexford (Census 2002)
Community & Enterprise Section have updated their research paper on
Education in County Wexford, incorporating data now available from the
Census 2002. The director reported that while returns have improved
since the 1996 Census, Co. Wexford is still recording figures that are
below the national average, and that therefore much work still remains
to be done in this area. The education paper was circulated.
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Endorsement of Local Development Agency Action Plans by
CDB:
The following reports from local development agencies were submitted and
were recommended for endorsement approval by the SIM Group;
- Templeshannon CDP
- WORD
- South West Wexford CDP (SWWCDP)
- Wexford Area Partnership
- WolfeTone Women’s Group
- WAP
- Access 2000
On the proposal of Bernard O’Brien, seconded by Pat Leacy, the plans were
formally approved and endorsed by the CDB.
On the proposal of Bernard O’Brien, seconded by Pat Leacy, it was agreed
that the two outstanding reports could be deemed approved by the CDB if
recommended so by the SIM Group.
Inter-Departmental Initiative
Improving Local & Community Development Structures & Programmes:
It was noted that the CDB has been asked to co-ordinate the process at local
level to bring forward measures for improved alignment of structures in
their area by mid year, 2004. It was agreed to hold a series of bi-lateral
meetings between Community and Enterprise Section and all of the
organisations and agencies involved in this initiative, in order to
establish potential areas whereby specific measures can be developed and
progressed.
It was noted that a Review of the role and membership of the CDBs’ SIM Group
will be carried out by the Department in consultation with the Directors of
Community and Enterprise.
It was further noted that the Waterford “Model” initiative in tracking
social inclusion expenditure across Departments and agencies would be
applied in so far as possible in a Co. Wexford context.
The Department has requested that each CDB now take preliminary steps to
prepare an Integrated Target Group Action Plan for one priority target group
identified under the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS). It was noted
that this issue was discussed at the last meeting of the SIM Group which
recommended that travellers would be the priority target group for 2004.
This recommendation was approved by the board.
CDB Strategy Implementation
Prioritising of Goals, Strategic Objectives & Actions:
The board approved the revised draft strategy as the Economic, Social and
Cultural Development Strategy of Co. Wexford 2002-2012.
It was agreed that the three Implementation Sub-groups will meet to monitor
progress in relation to the implementation of the CDB strategy, and will
report at the next meeting of the CDB.
Energy Saving Considerations for Public Bodies
Presentation from Wexford Energy Management Agency Ltd.:
Mr. Neil Foley, Wexford Energy Agency, gave a presentation “Energy Saving
Considerations for Public Bodies”.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Foley for his informative presentation which he was
assured would be of value to most of the member organisations of the CDB,
and wished WEMAL well with their programme of work.
Suicide Prevention Action Plan
Report from Suicide Prevention Taskgroup:
Mr. Sean McCarthy, Suicide Resource Officer, SEHB outlined the Suicide
Prevention Action Plan which was developed by the Inter-agency Suicide
Prevention Taskgroup, chaired by the South Eastern Health Board. He stated
that the report was currently being published and would be publicly launched
shortly.
The Chairman thanked Mr. McCarthy for his presentation and the Taskgroup for
their work, and looked forward to the launch of this report and the
successful implementation of its strategy.
RAPID Programme
Progress Report on Implementation of the Wexford & New Ross Local Area
Action Plans:
Ms. Liz Hore and Ms. Margaret Nolan, RAPID Co-ordinators, presented a
detailed progress report on the Implementation of the Wexford & New Ross
Local Area Action Plans of the RAPID Programme.
The board Ms. Hore and Ms. Nolan on their work and wished the RAPID Area
Implementation Teams well with their work. It was noted that both Local Area
Action Plans would be formally launched shortly.
Any Other Business:
There was no other business.
Next Meeting:
As previously agreed, it was noted that the next meeting was as follows:
Wednesday, 19th May, 2004 Council Chamber, Wexford.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
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