Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021
The Western Development Commission Fáilte Ireland Local Development Companies Higher Education Institutes and, in particular, the Technological Universities which have a specific regional development remit Education and Training Boards Teagasc Given the focus on climate change actions in the LECP and in all policy, it is also worth considering the role of a local energy agency if such is in existence. Other bodies may be of relevance also in particular Local Authority areas. In the preparation of the LECP and the Implementation Plans, it is important that these agencies are committed to identifying and implementation actions directed at the Goals and Objectives of the LECP. Their direct involvement in their development is likely to be fundamental to that commitment being obtained. Economic Element of the LECP Content of Economic Elements The economic elements of the LECP will guide and support the economic development role of the Local Authority within the wider regional context referred to above. The core drivers of the economic elements will be:-
as appropriate, and made more specific, having regard to local circumstances and priorities and wider regional considerations:- Attracting substantial investment and new enterprise with significant employment, income and growth potential; Sustaining/expanding existing enterprise, particularly in sectors having significant growth potential in international markets; Improving the quality and diversity of employment in the area; Identifying mechanisms for providing hubs for remote workers in accordance with an agreed strategy and encourage existing hubs to join the national hub network connectedhubs.ie; Support the use of existing assets such as lighting, traffic poles, street furniture for the deployment of telecoms equipment; Encourage the sharing and co-location of digital connectivity infrastructure (including small cells, access points, communications masts and antennae); Economic transformation/regeneration of urban centres affected by economic decline; Strengthening the economic fabric of smaller towns/villages and their capacity to advance rural economic regeneration; Economic development objectives in the local/ community development programmes and the micro-enterprise support function; Economic objectives in relevant national, regional, sub-regional and city/county level plans and strategies; Mitigating the climate-change impact of enterprises and commercial activity; Developing the green economy including a circular economy; and Developing a workforce with the skills necessary to sustain and be in demand in the emerging economy. It should also be noted that Section 15 of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019, enables Local Authorities to create a rates waiver scheme (waiving all or a portion of rates) to support policy objectives in specific plans, one of which is their LECP. Commencement of this and other sections of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 is expected in 2021 with prescribed regulations following in 2022.
Objectives - Sustainable Economic Development Objectives (SEDOs);
Actions - required to achieve the objectives identified, covering the full range of Economic Action Areas identified at paragraph 3 – the Main Categories of Economic Action. Sustainable Economic Development Objectives (SEDOs) The LECP should set out a finite set of key objectives which need to be prioritised to make a significant contribution to achieving required overall economic development outcomes. The SEDOs need to be specific, measurable and have and associated timeframe and the LECP should specify relevant outcomes in respect of each objective and appropriate metrics for measuring those outcomes. The following is and indicative “menu” of the types of objectives, in very general terms, which are likely to warrant inclusion, subject to being adapted or extended
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