Local Economic and Community Plan Guidelines 2021

Local Economic and Community Plans Guidelines 2021

Department of Rural and Community Development gov.ie Prepared by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage gov.ie

The purpose of the LECP, as provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014, is to set out, for a six-year period, the objectives and actions needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the relevant Local Authority area, both by itself directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders.

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Contents

Acronyms and Glossary of Terms

Acronyms

Glossary of Terms

Foreword

Introduction

Guidelines

Guideline Consultation

Aim of the Guidelines

New Approach to the LECP process

Structure of the Guidelines

Overall Context

Policy and purpose of the LECP

Socio-economic Context

Climate Change/Action

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty

Section A: Framework LECP Strategic Outline

Part 1: General Guidelines for the formulation of Framework (LECPs)

Overview

An Integrated process

LECP Development Stages

Stage 1 - Preparation

Socio-economic Analysis/Shared Information Base

Statement of High-Level Goals

Socio-economic Statement

Mutually supporting Economic and Community Aspects

Stage 2 - Consultation

Report on Public Consultation Process

Stage 3 - Development of Objectives and Outcomes

Linking High-Level Goals to Economic and Community Elements

Stage 4 - Finalisation of Framework LECP

Stage 5 - Implementation

Stage 6 - Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Responsibilities

LECP Framework

Implementation Plans

Advisory Steering Group

Structure

LECP Framework Role

Implementation Plan Role

Spatial Planning Dimension

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment and LCDCs

Duration of the LECP

31 31 31

Part 2: Economic Elements of the LECP

Economic Development Role of Local Government

Purpose and Nature of the Local Authority Economic Development Role

Main Categories of Economic Action

Local Authority Economic Development Role in a Regional-Agency Context

Other Economic Actors

Economic Element of the LECP

Content of Economic Elements

Sustainable Economic Development Objectives (SEDOs)

Actions

General Principles to Guide Formulation of the LECP

Areas Relevant to the Economic Elements of the Plan

Assessment of Sustainable Economic Development Objectives (SEDOs)

39 40 40

Part 3: Community Elements of the LECP

Role of LCDCs and Local Authorities in Local and Community Development

Local Authorities and Local and Community Development

Role of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in Local and Community Development

Community Elements of the LECP

Nature and purpose of the Community Elements of the LECP

Content of Community Element

Identifying Sustainable Community Objectives (SCOs)

LCDCs and LECPs

Consultation

Consideration of cross cutting priorities

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Section B: Implementation Plan Process

46 46

Introduction

Policy and contextual developments

General

Project Ireland 2040 – National Planning Framework & National Development Plan

Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies

SICAP

Rural Development and LEADER

Healthy Ireland/Healthy Cities and Counties

Climate Action

Relevant National Policies and Strategies

Implementation Plans

SMART Actions

Collaborative Actions

Economic Actions

Information and Input

Implementation

Community

Collaborative Actions

Community Actions

Implementation

Monitoring Evaluation, and Review

Integrated and Ongoing Initiatives

Implementation Arrangements

Section C: Appendices

57 58 59 60 61 62

Appendix 1: Appendix 2: Appendix 3: Appendix 4: Appendix 5: Appendix 6:

Membership of LECP Advisory Group Illustrative Outline of Framework LECP

Illustrative Outline of Implementation Plan Illustrative Outline of Socio-economic Statement

Values and Principles

Indicative List of Relevant Policies & Strategies to inform the development of the LECPs

Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: Figure 4: Figure 5: Figure 6: Figure 7: Figure 8: Figure 9: Figure 10:

Development terms and Definitions Overall National Planning Framework UN Sustainable Development Goals Stakeholder Interaction in LECP process

14 15 17 19 20 22 43 43 49 53

Overall outline of LECP

Summary of LECP Development Phases

Identifying Sustainable Objectives - Sample Logic Model

LECP Process Key Outline

Economic Goal Matrix - Sample Outline Community Goal Matrix - Sample Outline

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Acronyms and Glossary of Terms

Acronyms AA – Appropriate Assessment

ED – Electoral Division

EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment

CARO – Climate Action Regional Office

EIS – Environmental Impact Statement

CDP – City/County Development Plan

ERDF – European Regional Development Fund

CEP – Community Enhancement Programme

ESA – Environmentally Sensitive Area

CSO – Central Statistics Office

ESRI – Economic and Social Research Institute

CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility

ETB – Education and Training Board

CVS – Community and Voluntary Sector

EU – European Union

CYPSC – Children and Young People’s Services Committee DECC – Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications D/Children – Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

FDI – Foreign Direct Investment

FRC – Family Resource Centre

GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation

GHG – Greenhouse Gas

D/Education – Department of Education

HI – Healthy Ireland

D/Justice – Department of Justice

HNDA – Housing Needs Demand Assessment

DETE – Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment DHLGH – Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

HSE – Health Service Executive

IBEC – Irish Business and Employers Confederation ICT – Information and communications technology

DSP – Department of Social Protection

DFA – Department of Foreign Affairs

IDA – Industrial Development Agency

DPER – Department of Public Expenditure and Reform DRCD – Department of Rural and Community Development

INTERREG – European Territorial Co-operation European Territorial Cooperation IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

DSP – Department of Social Protection

ISIF – Irish Strategic Investment Fund

DTF – Drugs Task Force

KPI – Key Performance Indicator

DTIF – Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

RA – Regional Assembly

LA – Local Authority

REP – Regional Enterprise Plan

LAP – Local Area Plan

RRDF – Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

LCDC – Local Community Development Committee

RSES – Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy

LDC – Local Development Company

SAC – Special Area of Conservation

LDS – Local Development Strategy

SBCI – Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

LEADER – Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économie Rurale – meaning Links between actions for the development of the rural economy

SCO – The Sustainable Community Objective

SEA – Strategic Environmental Assessment

LECP – Local Economic and Community Plan

SEDO – Sustainable Economic Development Objective

LEO – Local Enterprise Office

SDG – Sustainable Development Goal

MD – Municipal District

SFI – Science Foundation Ireland

NDP – National Development Plan

SICAP – Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely

NECP – National Energy and Climate Plan

NERP – National Economic Recovery Plan

NRRP – National Recovery and Resilience Plan

SME – Small-to-Medium Enterprise

NHA – Natural Heritage Area

SPA – Special Protection Area

NPF – National Planning Framework

SPC – Strategic Policy Committee

NUTS – Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics

SWOT – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

NYCI – National Youth Council of Ireland

TIG – Traveller Interagency Group

OECD – Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development

UN – United Nations

OPW – Office of Public Works

URDF – Urban Regeneration and Development Fund

PPN – Public Participation Network

PSRF – Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Glossary of Terms Appropriate Assessment: (AA) an assessment of the potential adverse effects of a plan or project (in combination with other plans or projects) on Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. These sites are protected by National and European Law. “Bottom-up” approach: This emphasises the participation of the local community in development initiatives so that they can select their own goals and the means of achieving them. It also ensures community ownership, commitment and accountability to the development project as it seeks development from below. Circular Economy: A model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible, thus extending the life cycle of products. Climate change: Includes both the global warming driven by human emissions of greenhouse gases, and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Climate Neutral Economy: An economy with net- zero greenhouse gas emissions. Ecosystem: A community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment. Evaluation: The structured interpretation and giving of meaning to predicted or actual impacts of proposals or results. It looks at original objectives, and at what is either predicted or what was accomplished and how it was accomplished. Framework plan: A document that provides a methodology for directing change in the community over time. This type of plan is to be differentiated from a traditional comprehensive plan that attempts to address in depth and in detail all of the elements required to govern the long-range growth of the area. While providing a powerful long-term vision, it does not attempt to define each and every policy and detail necessary to achieve that vision.

Implementation Plan: A document that entails the steps required to facilitate the execution and implementation of a plan, idea, model, or policy by presenting clear implementation steps that need to follow. Indicator: A measurable and quantitative statistic which, when grouped over a time period, shows a trend. Labour Force: Those at work, looking for first regular job and unemployed. LEADER Programme: A European Union initiative to support rural development projects initiated at the local level in order to revitalise rural areas and create jobs. Low Carbon Economy: An economy that causes low levels of (Greenhouse Gas) GHG emissions compared with today’s carbon-intensive economy. Mitigation: An action that helps to lessen the impacts of a process or development on the receiving environment (most often in association with measures that would seek to reduce negative impacts of a process or development). Monitoring: The systematic process of collecting, analysing and using information to track a programme’s progress toward reaching its objectives and to guide management decisions. Successful monitoring delivers timely and relevant information that allows you to track progress towards outcomes and make adjustments to implementation arrangements as necessary. Public Consultation: a regulatory process by which the public’s input on matters affecting them is sought. Its main goals are in improving the efficiency, transparency and public involvement in large-scale projects or laws and policies. It usually involves notification (to publicise the matter to be consulted on), consultation (a two-way flow of information and opinion exchange) as well as participation (involving interest groups in the drafting of policy or legislation).

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Public Realm: The external places in our towns and cities that are accessible to all. The everyday spaces that we move through and linger within, the places where we live, work and play. Reserved Function: A reserved function of a Local Authority is one which can only be performed by the elected members. Review: A part of the planning process to assess the progress of implementation. They are a ‘snapshot’ in the life of an initiative and tend to focus on operational issues, effectiveness of governance and project management structures, and may also include policy outcomes. Findings and recommendations from reviews should be used to improve implementation. Smarter Travel: Short for the Department of Transport’s Sustainable Transport policy document ‘Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future 2009 –2020’. Social entrepreneurship: An approach by individuals, groups, start-up companies or entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues. This concept may be applied to a wide range of organisations, which vary in size, aims, and beliefs. Socio-economic Analysis: A tool to evaluate what costs and benefits an action will create for society by comparing what will happen if this action is implemented as compared to the situation where the action is not implemented. Social Enterprise: An enterprise that trades for a social/societal purpose, where at least part of its income is earned from its trading activity, is separate from government, and where the surplus is primarily reinvested in the social objective. Social Inclusion: The process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

Social Infrastructure: A subset of the infrastructure sector and typically includes assets that accommodate social services. Examples include schools, universities, hospitals, prisons and community housing. Spatial Planning: Planning that gives geographical expression to the economic, social, cultural and ecological policies of society. It is at the same time a scientific discipline, an administrative technique and a policy developed as an interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach directed towards balanced regional development and the physical organisation of space according to an overall strategy. Stakeholder: a person such as an employee, customer, or citizen who is involved with an organisation, society, etc. and therefore has responsibilities towards it and an interest in its success. Strategic Environmental Assessment: A systematic decision support process, aiming to ensure that environmental and possibly other sustainability aspects are considered effectively in policy, plan and program making. Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Foreword Local Economic and Community Plans (LECP) support the sustainable development of our counties. First described in Putting People First: Action Plan for Effective Local Government and then formalised in the Local Government Reform Act 2014, they form the local element of the national development framework and support collaboration to increase the quality of life in our communities. This has never been more important as we look to support a sustainable recovery from the impact of the pandemic. The primary aim of the LECP is to set out, for a six-year period, the objectives and actions needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the relevant local authority area, both by the Local Authority directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders. The LECP is an important way to set out how Government and other stakeholders can work together to ensure that their initiatives, programmes and projects support an improved quality of life for people living and working in the county. These guidelines form part of the statutory responsibilities assigned to the Minister for Rural and Community Development (DRCD), under the Local Government Reform Act of 2014, to support the development and implementation of the LECP. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is charged with oversight of the Economic Elements of the LECP.

Both Departments have worked together to develop these guidelines in order to enable and support integrated planning for both community and economic elements as envisaged in the legislation. The development of these guidelines has also been supported by an advisory group that included representation from Local Authorities and Regional Assemblies, as well as the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). The process also included a broader consultation with input from other Government Departments, Local Authorities, Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and other members of the relevant Local Authority Committees, the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and the Strategic Policy Committees (SPC). These guidelines are designed to support the development and implementation of effective LECPs for the next six years, enabling Local Authorities and local communities to improve the quality of life in their counties. We encourage all Local Authorities to use the guidelines to develop effective and inclusive LECPs for their areas, ensuring full participation by anyone who wishes to engage with the process. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to support the development, through the LECPs, of strong integrated local frameworks that will provide the foundation for economic and social recovery and support sustainable development across the country over the next six-year period.

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development

Joe O Brien, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities

Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Peter Burke, Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Local Government

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Introduction The Local Government Reform Act 2014 provides a stronger and clearer role for local government in economic development and community development.

This is a key element in achieving the vision set out in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government: that “local government will be the main vehicle of governance and public service at local level, leading economic, social and community development”. For the first time, the legislation required the integration of local economic and community objectives, other relevant cross-sectoral plans and the establishment of new structures such as the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and Public Participation Networks (PPNs). The aim was to facilitate collaboration between partner agencies, business and the community and voluntary sector, to drive synergies and align with regional, national and European policy to leverage funding streams. All Local Authorities published their first Local Economic and Community Plans in 2016/2017 and the process to develop new LECPs provides the opportunity to reflect on the experiences of all stakeholders in the intervening period. The processes to support the development of a new LECP described in these guidelines should be fully informed by the learning and experiences of all relevant stakeholders through both internal and public consultation to ensure a robust LECP for the next 6-year period. The purpose of the LECP, as provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014, is to set out, for a six-year period, the objectives and actions needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the relevant Local Authority area, both by itself directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders. The development of each LECP is informed by the overall vision for Local Government as set out in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government, the need “to promote the well-being and quality of life of citizens and communities”.

As the framework for the economic development and local/community development of the Local Authority area, the LECP should also be the primary mechanism at local level to bring forward relevant actions arising from national and regional strategies and policies that have a local remit. One of the main strengths of the structures that support the roles of Local Authorities with regard to local and community development is the collaborative nature of their work. It is important that the LECP provide an enabling framework that supports collaborative working both in the structures that support the LECP and in the interventions that the LECP seek to support. Research looking at the Community Call initiative implemented as part of the national response to COVID 19 provides lessons in this regard. The research indicates that changed working practices in, and between, statutory, community and voluntary organisations delivered improved outcomes and inter-agency structures made a significant difference to the ability to coordinate and deliver rapid responses 1 . the overall vision for Local Government,

“to promote the well-being and quality of life of citizens and communities”

1 Community Call: Learning for the Future, NESC Secretariat Papers, Paper No.22, February 2021, http://files.nesc.ie/nesc_secretariat_papers/ No_22_CommunityCall.pdf

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Guidelines

These guidelines are designed to support a participative and consultative process to develop a Local Economic and Community Plan that is appropriate for each local area. The development of the guidelines was supported by an experienced advisory group and included a broad consultation process. Details of the membership of the advisory group and the consultation process can be found at Appendix 1. The guidelines provide an outline of the process to be carried out in order to develop a fully integrated LECP at a local level. The guidelines are issued under section 66B of Local Government Reform Act 2014 and are therefore statutory in nature and provided to support all aspects of the LECP process including ongoing implementation, monitoring and evaluation. While the guidelines provide the basic framework for the LECP, they also recognise that each Local Authority area is different and will require different interventions to support their development. In this context, the guidelines aim to support a more flexible approach to LECP development and implementation. This will facilitate a more agile and flexible approach to the delivery of initiatives to support the achievement of the High-Level Goals and Sustainable Objectives outlined in the LECP framework. Guideline Consultation DRCD and DHLGH established an Advisory Group that included representation from both Departments, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Local and Regional Government. The role of the advisory group was to support the guideline process and ensure that learning from the previous LECP process informed their development. Over the past six years, the implementation of the current round of LECPs has identified areas of challenge as well as areas of good practice. This learning informed the development of these guidelines through a significant consultation process. Written submissions were received from Government Departments, Local Authorities, Regional Assemblies, LCDCs and SPCs.

In addition, DRCD and DHLGH hosted 7 focus groups that included input from LCDC Chief Officers, LCDC Chairs, LCDC members including PPN members, SPC members and other relevant economic stakeholders including Enterprise Ireland, IBEC, IDA Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Chambers Ireland. This consultation identified a number of areas that could be improved including elements of LECP preparation, implementation and ultimately monitoring and evaluation. Input obtained through the focus group process has been used to inform the development of these guidelines with a view to addressing some of the challenges experienced by those involved in the development and implementation of the LECPs to date. Aim of the Guidelines The aim of the guidelines is to provide support to Local Authorities and relevant local partners to help them to develop and implement comprehensive and flexible 6-year plans that will support the sustainable development of their areas over the lifetime of the plan. The plans will form the basis for interventions at a local level that are complementary to and consistent with the RSES, the City and County Development Plans and the relevant national strategies and policies listed in Appendix 6. They envisage an LECP which provides a broader, strategic framework that guides the preparation and delivery of Implementation Plans. This will provide the agility and flexibility required to be in a position to react to emerging needs and opportunities on an ongoing basis. The guidelines aim to be comprehensive however, Local Authorities and other relevant stakeholders should also be aware of the need to be compliant with the relevant legislation particularly the specific elements of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and consistent with other national frameworks and strategies as indicated in the relevant appendices to this document.

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

New Approach to the LECP process

Consultation undertaken as part of the guideline development process indicated the need to ensure that the LECP is more agile and allows for emerging needs on an ongoing basis. In addition, the plan process needs to consider the resources available to deliver on identified actions and ensure that prioritisation of actions is realistic and achievable within available resources. The postponement of the 2021 census and the consequent delay in available up to date data to create a baseline to build the LECP was also identified as a challenge. While there is relevant data available to consider the socio-economic context for the LECP there will be a need to facilitate consideration of the more up to date and comprehensive demographic and other data that is provided by the census when the census data becomes available. This is likely to be in 2023/2024.

It was in this context that the Advisory Group established to support the LECP guideline development process considered that the LECP process should consist of two parts including; a) the development of an overall LECP framework detailing the High-Level Goals and Sustainable Community and Economic Objectives as well as consideration of outcomes and high-level indicators for the 6-year LECP period. Consideration of any potential actions should form part of the development of the High-Level Goals and Objectives in the LECP framework but the detailing of prioritised actions as well as specific performance indicators and commitment to their implementation is a function of the implementation plan. b) The development of Implementation Plans to detail the inputs, actions and resources required for that implementation plan period as well as relevant specific key performance indictors to facilitate evaluation. The initial LECP Implementation Plan should be presented for approval along with the LECP framework. This will facilitate a more agile and flexible approach to the delivery of initiatives to support the achievement of the High-Level goals and Sustainable Community Objectives outlined in the LECP framework and will allow newly- emerging programmes and policies to be taken into account in an ongoing way. Figure 1 below gives a general definition of the various relevant elements of the plan process highlighted in the text above.

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Figure 1

Development Term

Definition

Goal/High-Level Goal

An idea of the future or a desired result that an individual/ group/organisation envision, plan and commit to achieve.

Objective/Sustainable Community Objective

Development objective: Intended impact contributing to physical, financial, institutional, social, environmental, or other benefits to a society, community, or group of people via one or more development interventions. Specific steps to be taken to support the achievement of a defined goal. Actions should be time bound achievable and measurable.

Action

Outcome

The likely or achieved short-term and medium-term effects of an intervention’s outputs.

Input

The financial, human, and material resources used for the development intervention.

Output

The products, capital goods and services which result from a development intervention; may also include changes resulting from the intervention which are relevant to the achievement of outcomes. Quantitative or qualitative factor or variable that provides a simple and reliable means to measure achievement, to reflect the changes connected to an intervention, or to help assess the performance of a development actor.

Performance Indicator

Structure of the Guidelines The process has two linked phases with the framework LECP and its associated Implementation Plans representing the local economic and community plan process as a whole. The guidelines are designed to support both parts of the process. Section A supports the development of the Integrated Framework LECP , which represents the strategic part of the LECP development process. This will look at the full six-year period and determine through analysis and consultation what the High- Level Goals should be for that particular geographical area. The framework will also include a series of sustainable objectives (both economic and community) to be achieved over the 6-year period through inputs, actions and outputs outlined in the Implementation Plan process.

All actions should be designed to contribute to the achievement of the objectives and ultimately the realisation of the High-Level Goals. Section B addresses the implementation plan process , which is aimed at achieving the objectives of the framework LECP. The implementation plan process will allow for full consideration of the resources available to support the delivery of these initiatives each year. In addition, this approach will also facilitate consideration of updated census data once available with a comprehensive review process required as part of the implementation plan process in 2023/2024. This review will also fulfil the review process required as part of the regulatory framework.

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Overall Context

Policy and purpose of the LECP Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government envisaged an increased role for Local Government in Economic and Community Development. This was subsequently placed on a statutory footing with amendments to provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 through the Local Government Reform Act of 2014. Responsibilities in these areas were outlined in the Local Government Act 1991 and restated in in Local Government Act 2001 where there are references to the ability of the Local Authorities to undertake measures to promote the interests of the local community including social, economic,

Section 66 of Local Government Act 2001 details the general functions of Local Authorities as it relates to the promotion of interests of local communities. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 inserts section 44, adding to section 66, and detailing the purpose, process and responsibilities for Local Economic and Community Planning with Section 66E outlining the implementation of the Economic Elements of the LECP. In addition, Chapter 2 of the Local Government Reform Act details the role and function of the LCDCs with 128B in that section detailing the LCDC role in the design and implementation of the community elements of the LECP. These guidelines are positioned within the regulatory context. However, Local Authorities should also be mindful of their responsibilities under all relevant regulatory frameworks including but not limited to those referenced above.

environmental, recreational, cultural or community development within the area.

Figure 2

Public Consultation

Other Government Policies

Other Regional Plans

LECP

Local Government City and Country Development Plan

Regional Government Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy RSES

National Government Project Ireland 2040 NPF/NDP

Regional Enterprise Strategies

Climate Action Plan

LAP/UAP/ SDZ

Public Consultation

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Socio-economic Context The Local Economic and Community Plan is part of the overall process for national transformation set out in Project Ireland 2040 and which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the National Development Plan (NDP). The global pandemic and the measures used to control the spread of COVID-19 have affected all aspects of Irish society and will provide significant context for the next round of LECPs from both a social and economic perspective. The Central Statistics Office has been conducting ongoing research and analysis of the social impact of COVID 19 since the onset of the pandemic and the results of the February 2021 research has indicated that that overall life satisfaction score at 5.8 was the lowest since this indicator of wellbeing was first used in 2013. 2 . Almost 6 in 10 (57.8%) reported that their mental health/well-being has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic with a significantly higher proportion of those in the 18-34 age group indicating a negative impact. From an economic perspective, Ireland has moved from being one of the fastest growing economies in Europe with near full employment to a point where an unemployment rate of 22.4% was registered in April 2021. 3 The three Regional Assemblies recently published a COVID 19 Regional Economic Analysis to identify which geographical areas in Ireland are more likely to be exposed to economic disruption because of the measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID 19 4 . The analysis uses a commercial dataset and a COVID 19 exposure ratio that looks at the ratio of commercial units operating in the sectors most likely to be affected as a proportion of overall commercial stock (taken from 2019). The process then assigns a value that assesses the likelihood of exposure to significant economic disruption on regions, counties and cities of Ireland.

The Northern and Western region is determined to have the most exposure followed by the Southern Region and the Eastern and Midlands Region. The data is designed to ensure that “ policy makers at local, regional and national level are aware of the most economically impacted areas across Ireland and will therefore be better equipped to ensure supports for industry can reach these businesses”. Climate Change/Action The need to address the current climate crisis is one of the defining contexts to be addressed at all levels of government in Ireland. The process to develop a statutory basis for Climate Change intervention including the new Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the ongoing implementation of Climate Action Plans is the national framework within which Government is supporting action now to adapt to the worst effects of climate change and secure a safer future for generations to come. This process will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law and ensure the necessary structures and processes are created on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and complies with its obligations in the near and long term. The LECP is a key framework through which climate action interventions can be delivered at this level. The proposals in the Climate Action Bill support a number of work areas that will require consideration as part of the LECP process once it has been enacted. This Bill also supports the development of the national Climate Action Plan, where specific actions for each sector will be defined on an on-going basis. The National Dialogue on Climate Actions (NDCA), which will be launched later in 2021, will create an enduring process of widespread engagement and activation on climate change across all of society in support of the national, regional and local transition objectives and the coordination of climate action. Consideration of the role of the LECP in supporting the delivery of actions in Local and National Climate Action Plan should form part of the LECP with specific actions included in LECP Implementation Plans as appropriate.

2 Central Statistics Office, https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-sic19wbg/socialimpactofcovid-19surveyfebruary2021well-being/ resultsandanalysis/ 3 Central Statistics Office: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/mue/monthlyunemploymentapril2021/ 4 COVID 19 Regional Economic Analysis, https://www.southernassembly.ie/uploads/general-files/CV19-Regional-Economic-Analysis.pdf

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) As specified in article 66B 5 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, each LECP will be developed within the context of the principles of sustainable development. The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change, by 2030 6 . The SDGs are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand in-hand with strategies that lead to sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic growth and address a range of social needs, including education, health, social protection and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. The final SDG, Goal 17, calls for strengthened partnerships and collaboration to implement the goals and achieve their targets. The SDGs provide a critical framework for community development as they reflect the social justice, economic justice and environmental justice concerns of community work and community workers and designate the processes of participation, empowerment and collective action required to achieve change.

The Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) are currently conducting research and training/capacity building to support the full consideration of climate change in LECPs. The outputs of these processes will support the inclusion of Climate Actions in forthcoming LECPs. In addition, resources will become available in the coming years through community energy initiatives and the Climate Action Fund to assist projects that will help Ireland achieve its climate and energy targets. Access to this funding will be available to communities and Local Authorities to support Climate Action interventions and Local Authorities should consider this when looking at how climate change considerations impact on economic and community development. Resources to support the consideration of Climate Change and Climate Action at a local level can be found at the links below;

https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/ department-of-the-environment-climate-and- communications/

www.caro.ie

www.epa.ie

www.seai.ie

Figure 3

5 Local Government Reform Act 2014, Section 66B, http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/act/1/enacted/en/pdf 6 https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a set of 17 Sustainable to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change , by 2030” Development Goals (SDGs)

The goals are supported by a global indicator framework and a national indicator framework that should be used to inform decisions regarding the choice of KPIs for the LECPs 7 . Please see figure 3 on page 17, which sets out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ireland has made commitments in both the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018 to ensure that the SDGs are fully considered in all Government policies and planning processes and it is within this context that the LECPs should be placed. Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty The Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty (‘the Duty’) is a statutory obligation for public bodies including Local Authorities. Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 requires public bodies, in the performance of their functions, to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect human rights of staff and people availing of their services. Section 42(2) requires public bodies to assess, address and report on progress in relation to equality and human rights in their strategic plan and annual reports in a manner that is accessible to the public. It is important that Local Authorities and other relevant stakeholders engaged with the LECP process fully consider their responsibilities with regard to Public Sector Duty and ensure that the objectives and actions detailed in the LECP are designed to support these responsibilities where appropriate. Further details on organisational responsibilities in the context of Public Sector Duty can be found at the link below; https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/public-sector- duty/

https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/indicators/indicators-list/

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

Section A: Framework LECP Strategic Outline Part 1: General Guidelines for the formulation of Framework LECPS

Overview The purpose of the LECP, as provided for in the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014), is to set out, for a six-year period, the objectives and actions needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the relevant Local Authority area.

The actions identified are undertaken, both by the Local Authority itself directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders. The diagram below outlines the interactions between the various stakeholders involved in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the LECP.

Figure 4

LECP Advisory Group

Statutory Interests

Sector Interests

Community Development Groups/PPNs/Public

Local Authority Elected Members

Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) Implementation Plans

Local Authority Officials

Business and Enterprise Interests

Government Departments and State Agencies

Tourism and Hospitality Sector Bodies

Environment/Climate Action Groups

Regional Assemblies

LCDC and Partner Community Actions

Economic SPC Actions

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

National Recovery and Resilience Plan National Economic Recovery Plan Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 Healthy Ireland Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland Project Ireland 2040 Regional Enterprise Plans Making Remote Work Other relevant policies and strategies are listed in Appendix 6.

Ongoing collaboration is an important part of all stages of LECP development and is encouraged from the beginning of the process. The expansion and strengthening of Local Authority functions in economic development and local/ community development provided for in the Act advances the overarching purpose of local government, as highlighted in the Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government, “to promote the well-being and quality of life of citizens and communities” .

As the framework for the economic development and local/community

development of the Local Authority area, the LECP will also be the primary mechanism at local level to bring forward relevant actions arising from measures under other statements of Government policy including but not limited to;

Public Consultation

Figure 5

Framework LECP - High Level Goals

Economic Elements Specific Objectives and Outcomes

Economic and Community Elements Shared Objectives and Outcomes

Community Elements Specific Objectives and Outcomes

Implementation Plan Process

Economic Elements Specific Time Bound and Measurable Actions

Economic and Community Elements Time Bound and Measurable Actions

Community Elements Specific Time Bound and Measurable Actions

Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021

An Integrated process The Act requires that the economic elements of the LECP be developed by the Local Authority/ SPC for Economic Development and Enterprise (66B(5)(b)) while the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) develop the community elements of the LECP (66B(5) (c)). After completing the process outlined in the Act regarding both Economic and Community elements (66C) an integrated plan will be presented to the Council for approval (66C(4)(a)). Each LECP must be consistent with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) and the core strategy and objectives of City/County Development Plan. In addition, the LECP should also have regard to other relevant Government policy initiatives (see Appendix 6). LECPs will be developed and implemented within an evolving national, regional and local policy context and an Implementation Plan process is suggested to enable the necessary flexibility to accommodate the evolution of policy. Local Authorities, supported by the Department, should endeavour to ensure that all relevant policies are reflected in the development and ongoing implementation and review of the Framework LECP. The mains features of the overall Framework LECP will be a set of High Levels Goals for the integrated plan which will be supported by specific Sustainable Objectives under the respective economic and community streams. Each objective will in turn consider potential outcomes and high level indicators for the 6 year planning period period. Achievement of these outcomes will be supported by an Implementation Plan process that will outline the specific, time-bound and measurable actions to be delivered in that period based on evidence-based prioritisation and taking into consideration the resources available in that plan period . It is recognised that certain objectives may arise in both the economic and the community elements. However, the particular actions required to achieve these objectives should be provided for under each of the two streams, with responsibility for oversight of specific actions being assigned either to the Local Authority/SPC or to the LCDC as appropriate

Integration between economic and community elements is primarily likely to arise in relation to the overall process and shared information base, as well as for particular target areas such as jobs, skills and labour market access. Where direct integration is not appropriate, it will be necessary to ensure adequate co-ordination between the two elements and this will be the primary function of the LECP Advisory Group (see section C). LECP Development Stages The process for the development of the LECPs will initially consist of four broad phases: preparation, public consultation, development of High-Level Goals, objectives and outcomes, and finalisation of the LECP. This will be followed by a fifth phase for implementation that will include the Implementation Plan process and a sixth stage of monitoring, evaluation and review of the plan. The approach to the public consultation phase will need to take into account different stakeholder needs across both the economic and community sectors. A flow chart outlining the key steps is provided below. Where a Local Authority has commenced work on the LECP, this should be built on and aligned to the next phase of the LECP development process set out below. Particular note should be taken of the need to establish clear and evidence based objectives and outcomes in Phase 3 (development of objectives and outcomes stage) as these will form the basis for the Implementation Plan process outlined in stage 5. This will, in turn be linked to implementing actions and providing the information for the monitoring and evaluation required in stage 6 (monitoring and evaluation stage). A preliminary (pre-preparation) step is the establishment of an appropriately constituted Advisory Steering Group. (see section on Advisory Steering Group on page 28).

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