6-year plan to guide the economic and community development of Clare
A PUBLIC consultation process has started to guide a new 6-year plan for the economic and community development of County Clare.
The high-level goals of the new Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) 2023-2029 are informed by the Socio-Economic Statement, which is the subject of a series of public information sessions throughout the county over the coming weeks.
This plan will consider the future development of Clare from both a community perspective and an economic perspective.
The project aims to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and organisations by developing community infrastructure, programmes and services. It also aims to provide a framework to guide local economic growth and stability in specific geographical areas through retaining and attracting new business, creating employment, and supporting people to start their own businesses and social enterprises.
The development of a new LECP is overseen by the Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), which has responsibility for local development and community-related funding in County Clare.
The first of four public consultations will take place on Monday, June 12th in the Shannon Municipal District Office. Other consultations will take place on Tuesday, June 13th at the Ennis MD Office in Drumbiggle; Wednesday, June 14th at the Killaloe MD Office in Scarriff; Thursday, June 15th at the Kilrush MD offices in Kilrush and Ennistymon – all of them from 5pm to 8pm.
Additional engagement with the business community will also take place.
Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, highlighted the importance of local communities having a plan for their future development that includes strategies for promoting economic growth, creating jobs, making communities more resilient and sustainable, and improving the quality of life for residents.
He said: “The people of Clare know their respective communities best of all, so their participation is vital for decision-making as such engagement has proven to produce better policies.”
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said input from all stakeholders who have a keen interest in developing a vision for Clare and how it can be achieved will be a valuable resource in shaping the aims, objectives and principles of the LECP.
Mr Dowling added:“The previous plan contained strategic actions which have been pursued with considerable success in the intervening six years, including developing existing enterprise centres and incubation space for micro-enterprises across Clare, protecting sites of built heritage and historic importance for the benefit of communities, implementing a proactive tourism strategy, supporting sustainable transport initiatives, developing a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and supporting place-making initiatives that enhance the county’s towns, villages and rural communities,” he stated.