Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021
It should be noted that that success in the area of economic development contributes to the sustainability of the rates base as a source of income for Local Authorities. Commercial rates account for c €1.6bn per annum or 1/3 of all Local Authority revenue income and up to 50% in major urban Local Authorities. A non-exhaustive list of matters arising in the promotion of economic development is provided in section 66B (2) of the Local Government Act 2001 as inserted by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, section 44. Main Categories of Economic Action The main features of role in promoting and supporting economic development may be summarised under 6 main Economic Action Areas as follows: Economic Action Area 1: Formulating the economic development plan and advising on the economic components of the community elements of the LECP: Input to the Plan should be obtained from a wide a range of economic development stakeholders, including business leaders, development agencies, sectoral bodies, higher education institutions and other key influencers of economic development. Engagement with the relevant Regional Assemblies and Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee is considered critical in this regard and to ensure that the LECP takes full account of regional considerations. Economic Action Area 2: Promoting economic development through general Local Authority powers and functions: While certain Local Authority functions have a very specific economic character, the economic development role needs to be approached from the perspective that all local government activity contributes to this overarching goal. In addition, the impact of Local Authority functions on local and regional competitiveness is significant, particularly in relation to local housing markets, and also in terms of investment in and management of key infrastructure including roads, and direct impact on the cost of doing business in an area.
Economic Action Area 2 involves embedding and prioritising economic development in all relevant Local Authority functions (for example, planning, infrastructure, environment, amenity, etc.) and focusing these functions on that objective, without compromising statutory duties e.g. of a regulatory nature. This approach should also be reflected in the Local Authority’s corporate plan. By performing its mainstream functions in an efficient and business oriented manner with core services delivered efficiently and that the administrative process associated with regulatory functions is minimised Local Authorities can significantly and positively impact the competitiveness of the area. Other important issues include maximising the economic impact and effectiveness of Local Authority expenditure (e.g. in Local Authority housing) providing a strategic overview for future development, considering not only publically owned land-banks but also opportunities for private sector development. The Local Authority role in housing and related planning and infrastructural functions, are crucially relevant to the overall economy, both in supporting competitiveness and maintaining balance and sustainable development in the housing market, is critical to avoid cyclical economic instability. In particular, Local Authorities have a key role in ensuring an appropriate supply of housing relative to demand is provided, whether through public or private sector development, in the right locations, of the
right type, and at affordable price. The Urban (URDF) and Rural (RRDF)
Regeneration Funds were established in support of more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities, towns and villages, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan. This is to enable a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and towns and to ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
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