Local Economic and Community Plans LECP | Guidelines 2021
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
Under Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government and the Local Government Reform Act of 2014, LCDCs are groups established in each Local Authority area and draw on the expertise and experience of public and private individuals and organisations in that area. LCDCs promote meaningful citizen and community engagement in the planning and evaluation of development programmes. Since their inception, the LCDCs have established themselves as critical structures that make a significant positive contribution to addressing the overall responsibilities conferred on Local Authorities to support economic and community development. In addition, they enable a collaborative approach between Local Authorities and other bodies in the delivery of effective and efficient programmes and services in these areas. LCDCs manage the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) at a local level with support from Local Authorities and actions are delivered by Local Development Companies (LDCs). They also support the delivery of the LEADER programme in rural areas, the Community Enhancement Programme and the Healthy Ireland Initiative. The LCDC Review, published in 2019, made recommendations aimed at strengthening the role and effectiveness of LCDCs. These recommendations were echoed in the 2019 policy document, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland . DRCD are coordinating the implementation of the strategy, with work currently focusing on a comprehensive training needs assessment of the sector and its supporting structures. The outputs of the assessment will inform the design of supports to assist the sector and its supporting structures including LCDCs and PPNs, to build capacity, and to strengthen their role – with the ultimate objective of better outcomes for communities and the individuals who live, work in and enjoy them.
Local Authorities are the key agents of government responsible for local and community development at local level and the statutory basis for this role is set out in Section 66 of the Local Government Act 2001. Local Authorities have a long history of involvement in community initiatives and service provision at local level, including libraries, leisure, recreation, arts and amenity facilities and services, as well as estate management, urban and village renewal, tidy towns, ‘pride of place’ and the operation of community employment schemes. These are important and rich interventions that help build social capital and have been a fundamental part of the role local government has played in local and community development to date. Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government significantly strengthens and expands local government’s role in local and community development, with particular focus on promoting the well-being and quality of life of citizens and communities, with LCDCs as the primary vehicle for the coordination of local and community activity within the administrative area of the Local Authority. Role of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in Local and Community Development Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) were established “ for the purposes of developing, coordinating and implementing a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development ”. The general roles and functions of LCDCs are set out in Part 6 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and have been elaborated upon in the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Local Community Development Committees
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