SOUTH KERRY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

1. SOUTH KERRY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP Overview of the work of SKDP Noel Spillane - CEO Public Meeting on Alignment Process, May 2nd 2013 - Killorglin

2. Background to SKDP Established 1990 by the Community in response to local need Localised community led response to economic & social problems in South Kerry Company Limited by Guarantee – Not for Profit Registered Charity Delivers a range of Rural Development programmes on behalf of EU and National Government

3. Current Programmes

4. Local Partnership • Communities & Voluntary Sector, statutory agencies, social partners and local government representatives working together. • Board – Four Pillars(Community & Voluntary Sector, Statutory Agencies, Social Partners & Local Government) • Sub-Committees (4) • Working Groups (8) • Over 250 community & voluntary groups

5. The Work of SKDP • Combines an economic development role, with community, cultural & social development activities • Works in partnership with other organisations, local authority, statutory agencies & Government Depts. • Focuses on building community capacity - enabling individuals & communities realise their potential • ‘Bottom up’ approach to rural development

6. A Snapshot of activity • In 2012 SKDP • Supported over 260 community projects through TUS & RSS • Provided 406 individuals with enterprise advice & guidance of which 245 progressed into self employment • Registered almost 2,500 new clients with the SKDP Local employment service and placed 1,438 into employment, self employment & further education & training • Enabled 1,239 people access the services of the South Kerry Jobs Club

7. A Snapshot activity – Cont’d • In 2012 SKDP • Allocated over €3.9 million under the RDP(LEADER) to 120 project promoters across a range of community, enterprise, tourism, training, heritage & village enhancement projects • Initiated a number of LEADER Animation projects targeting the craft sector, community festivals, On farm Diversification projects & isolated rural communities • Through LEADER established a business mentor panel which provided one to one mentoring support to almost 40 individuals from a range of enterprise backgrounds

8. A Snapshot activity – Cont’d • In 2012 SKDP • Provided enterprise led training to 152 member companies of the South Kerry Skillsnet Network - training 763 individual employees and providing 2,854 training days • Working through the Local & Community Development Programme – supported over 800 marginalised and disadvantaged individuals through a range of labour market activation, education & training measures and supports to enable an increased knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary & community services.

9. A Snapshot activity – Cont’d • In 2012 SKDP • Through the LCDP -working in conjunction with the Family Resource Centres, Pre-Schools, Primary & Secondary Schools, KDYS, KES, Kerry Life Skills supported almost 1,800 young people/children with a range of supports covering • Homework Clubs • Language, Literacy & Numeracy Supports • Counselling Supports • Life Education • After Schools support for Children with additional needs • Parenting Supports (Strengthening Families Programme)

10. A Snapshot activity – Cont’d • In 2012 SKDP Through the LCDP –The SKDP Community Development work has focused on • Men’s Sheds • Empowering Parents • Community Forum • Local Authority Housing Estates • KASI

11. A Snapshot activity – Cont’d • In 2012 SKDP • Through the Collabor8 Programme, in conjunction with the CEB – undertook a number of initiatives around developing the food sector in the county (Kerry food finder and recipe booklet, Kerry Food Week, Training & Info seminar for food producers, Kerry Food Strategy) • Through Collabor8 – Development of game angling in the county (Go Angling Kerry Website, Study identifying the development needs) • Through Collabor8 – Mobile Lab (highlighting technologies available to tourism related businesses) • Through Collabor8 – Working with cluster groups

12. A Snapshot activity – Cont’d • In 2012 SKDP • Through the Walks Scheme and the activities of the SKDP Rural Recreation Recreation – continued to develop the walking product in South Kerry • Administration of the Walks Scheme • Developed several community loope walks • Supported the production of publicity material (Map Cards & Brochures) • Mac Gillicuddy Reeks Mountain Access Scheme

13. The European View • EU – European Commission Communique ‘Over the past 20 years, the LEADER approach to community-led local development (CLLD) – designed to help rural actors consider the long-term potential of their local region, has proven an effective and efficient tool in the delivery of development policies. CLLD can mobilise and involve local communities and organisations to contribute to achieving the Europe 2020 goals of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, fostering territorial cohesion and reaching specific policy goals’

14. The European View • The view of the European Commission is consistent with the earlier findings and recommendations of the European Court of Auditors, which stated that ‘One of the key features of the LEADER approach is that decisions should be made not by public authorities but by a wider local partnership, where the local government is included’ (2010; 18)

15. Thank You

16. Alignment Proposals Overview of the Government’s Alignment Proposals and the potential impact on S.K.D.P Ltd Paul O’Raw Community Development Officer -SKDP

17. Alignment Report Department of Environment, Community and Local Government October 2012 Proposals for Reform of Local Government Proposals for Alignment of Local Government and Local Development

18. Proposals Establish Socio Economic Committee’s (SEC’s) Public Private Partnership structure • Proposed Membership of 15 • Convened by County Manager and secretariat provided by Local Authority • Responsible for Planning and Oversight of all local and community development programmes • One SEC per county • Abolish County Development Boards

19. …Proposals • National policy on local and community development to be developed • 5 year Local & Community Plan • “encompassing all State funded local and community development interventions as part of the County Development Plan” • Significant changes for Councils • Subdivisions of existing Counties based on Municipal Districts

20. Key Issues: Minister Hogan - SEC and not SKDP will be the applicant for next round of EU LEADER Funding and SEC will hold the contract Without core funding programmes, SKDP as an organisation cannot continue to function The planning and delivery of local development programmes by SKDP, a community led organisation, will come to an end.

21. Key Issues

22. Key Issues: SKDP currently leverage significant levels of funding from alternative sources which are not accessible to local authorities. The huge voluntary input and local knowledge inherent in the Board, Committees and activities of SKDP, will be lost.

23. Current Situation: ILDN (National Network Body for the LDCs) have agreed to join an Alignment Working Group consisting of Dept. Reps, C.C.M.A. Reps, Pobal Reps & ILDN Reps ILDN participation subject to conditions First meeting of this Group with ILDN held April 10th , next meeting scheduled for today May 2nd Local Authorities invited to submit expressions of interest with regard to establishing pilot SEC’s 10 Local authorities have submitted expressions of interest

24. The role of the S.E.C ? • SEC’s will be established • SKDP - No difficulty with the establishment of SECs provided their role is one of coordination and oversight only • To ensure local ownership and to protect the ‘bottom up’ approach to rural development - SKDP must be • The applicant, • contract holder • Retain responsibility for the planning, delivery & administration of rural development programmes in South Kerry

25. The role of the S.E.C Establishment of SECs should not diminish the role of communities in local development

26. Thank You