Local Economic and Community Plans – A Regional Assembly

perspective Malachy Bradley

Assistant Director

Content

Legislative backgroundWhat is an LECPStatutory functions of Regional

AssembliesProgress by Regional Assemblies to dateWorking with Local AuthoritiesIssues during processWhat next

Putting People First Action Programme for Effective Local

Government 2012Local Government - Doing More for the

Economy, Enterprise and the Local Community

Role in linking local economic development with regional and national planning – LECPs

Stronger Regional role in economic development – Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies

Role in coordination of local authorities at Regional scale

Local Government Reform Act 2014

Amends Local Government Act 2001

Statutory requirement for LECP is a central component of local authority role in economic development

Section 66B of 2001 LG Act (amended);“Each local authority shall make a 6 year local economic and community plan for the promotion of economic development in its functional area, and the promotion of local and community development in its functional area.”

What is an LECP

Implement commitments under “Putting People First” to promote “well-being and quality of life of citizens and communities”

Set out objectives and actions needed to support and promote economic and community development

Economic development and local and community development are mutually supportive

LECP’s to be developed under;Advisory Steering GroupSPC for Economic DevelopmentLocal Community Development CommitteeOther sectoral interests

What is an LECP

LECPs to align with various plans such as;Europe 2020National Reform ProgrammeNational Action Plan for JobsAction Plan for Social InclusionRegional Action Plan for JobsRegional Planning GuidelinesCEDRA reportCross border plansCounty Development Plan Local Development Strategy

Local Strategic Framework for:LEADERSICAP

LECP structure

Statutory functions of the Regional Assemblies

Section 66 C of 2001 Act the consideration of an LECP by a Regional Assembly shall relate to its consistency –

• With the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan of the local authority concerned,

• With any regional spatial and economic strategy or, as appropriate, regional planning guidelines that may apply, and

• Between the economic and community elements of the Plan.

Circulars and Guidance Notes expands Regional Assemblies role to assist in development of LECPs and play a significant monitoring role

Progress to date by Regional Assemblies

Engaged with all Local Authority StakeholdersLiaised with DECLG on processProvided shared services and adviceEngaged with Regional Action Plan for Jobs

processesAgreed process with Local Authorities Issued comments to Local Authorities on

Statements and High Level Goals and Draft LECP’s

Issued formal statement on consistency

Working with Local Authorities Engaged with chief officers and other LA staffSought consistency and commonality with

Local Authorities on:Information sharing Baseline dataConsultation processPreparation process

Provided comments on SES and High Level Goals

Provided comments on Draft LECPs during formulation

Issues during process

Contrasting sources, baseline data and SWOT analysis

Thread from SES-HLGs-Objectives-ActionsDifference between HLGs Objectives and Actions Consistency between individual LECPs and regionally Evolving guidance informing the structure and

development of LECPsEngagement and commitment of stakeholders to

process and implementationImplementation of Actions Measurable monitoring of LECPs, are objectives being

achieved

What next for Regional Assemblies

Continue coordination of Local AuthoritiesPrepare and adopt statement on Draft LECPs Continue comments and consultations with Local

AuthoritiesDefine monitoring role in LECPsIdentify regional collaborative actions as part of RSES

processAssist in pursuit of funding proposals Establish structure for LECPs to inform RSESReview process to inform next iteration of LECPs

Thank youMalachy Bradley

Assistant Director