Plenary Meeting – Update

The members of Leitrim Public Participation Network voted to work with third level researchers and other counties on providing solutions to one-off housing waste water requirements at their Plenary Meetings last Wednesday night in Drumshanbo.  This was one item in a packed agenda.

A small but engaged crowd heard Mr Ian Pudney , Rhatigan Architects, outline the requirements of Planning in the context of County Leitrim. His positive brief identified the fact that 87% of rural Leitrim is not suitable for the approved method of waste water treatment. After discussion on related topics, Plenary approved Leitrim PPN to move forward with third level researchers and other counties facing similar difficulties to try and find a solution to this issue.

In a busy evening the members heard feedback from the PPN via Facilitator, Philip Rooney and resource worker, Tracy Ferguson. She will be visiting groups through outreach offices at Ballinamore and Rossinver in the coming weeks  and she urged members to watch the website, emails and social media for updates on news and funding. Leitrim PPN has representatives on many committees that influence policy and decision-making and some of these roles were vacant for nominations and elections. The members were addressed by PPN Rep, Ita Flynn on how this works on the Local Community Development Committee and Sean O’Connor and Donal Fox outlined the responsibilities of representatives on the North West Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force (NWRDATF) and the Board of Management of Leitrim Development Company respectively.

Nominations ratified:

• Leslie O’Hora, Director of Good Energies Alliance, will take a place on the Secretariat for the Environmental Pillar.
• Damien Hamill – Ballinamore Municipal District, Peadar Flynn & Teresa O’Callghan – Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, all join the Board of Management of Leitrim Development Company.
• Tommy Flynn – Social Inclusion Pillar, joins the Joint Policing Committee.
• Mary McKiernan & Francie Gilmartin – Social Inclusion, were ratified to remain on the North West Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force.

Two vacancies for Community Representation from Leitrim PPN to the NWRDATF remain unfilled.

Thanks to everyone who attended and especially the nominees for roles.

€ 5 Million CLÁR Funding announced.

CLÁR provides funding for small scale capital projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme supports investments such as play areas for children; traffic calming measures around schools; and support for emergency responders.

There are 3 funding measures under CLÁR:

• Measure 1:   Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures;
• Measure 2:   Schools/Community Play Areas (including Multiple Use Games Areas);
• Measure 3:   First Response Support Measure.

Maximum and minimum amounts depend on what you are applying and your group needs to be able to provide at least 5% and up to 10% of match funding.

WHERE and WHEN?

Funding for Measures 1 and 2 is operated by via the relevant Local Authority – Leitrim County Council. Applications must be received by April 19th 2018.

Measure 3 is operated directly by the Dept of Rural and Community Development. Applications must be received by April 30th 2018

In total, a maximum of 15 applications can be submitted to the department from Leitrim County Council.

for more details and downloads of forms.

Current Consultations:

• Loneliness Task Force
• The Role of Voluntary Organisations in Health and Social Care.