Key economic plan revealed

COUNCIL’S PLANNING POLICY SET OUT FOR NEXT SIX YEARS

A key plan to oversee the economic development of Sligo locally over the next six years has been launched by Sligo County Council.

It was billed as one of the most important publications produced by the Council according to Cathaoirleach Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady.

The Plan was formally launched last Friday by the Chair of Sligo’s Local Community Development Committee ( LCDC), Councillor Sean MacManus, and the attendance included Sligo County Council Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes, Councillors and members of the Oireachtas, and representatives of local community, enterprise and business interests.

Councillor MacManus said the plan’s launch was a key moment in the lifetime of Local Government in Sligo. “This document identifies specific, key actions across a wide range of economic and community activity; it suggests realistic goals and sets out how they can be achieved.

“The plan sets the strategic framework for all publicly funded economic, local and community development programmes in the county and for the development of Sligo as the social, cultural and economic capital of the North West region. “The overarching vision for the county through this plan is that county Sligo will be an enterprising, inclusive, resilient and environmentally sustainable place which values and celebrates its unique landscape and rich culture and heritage and where the well being of future generations is central to everything we do,” he said.

Cllr MacManus stressed that no one single agency can implement the plan working alone. He called for statutory agencies to have a meaningful input. “I am calling too on the community and voluntary sector who already make a huge contribution to the development of this county, and to the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the trade unions, Sligo Leader Partnership, tourism and business Interests and the various other pillars represented, to make your input and your mark on the aims and delivery of this Plan,” he said.

Cllr O’Grady said the plan would act as mechanism and conduit to bring forward individual and collective actions to promote economic and community development. “While the Council will assume a leadership role in the delivery of the Plan, partnership will be a key element under- pinning our activities.” Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes said the plan was consistent with the aims and policies of the Council to promote Sligo and make it an attractive and vibrant place for residents and visitors alike.