PPN Community Representative: Louise Lovett

Public Participation Network Feedback Form: Economic Development & Enterprise SPC Meeting PPN Community Representative: Louise Lovett

Date: 15.05.2017

Meeting Agenda

1. Confirmation of Minutes of Economic Development and Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 13th February 2017 – copy attached Matters Arising from Minutes 3. Review of LECP Implementation Strategy 4. Creative and Innovative Hub – Update 5. Northern Quarter – Update 6. Town & Village Renewal Scheme 7. Promotion of Longford events - A Discussion on Retail Excellence 8. Update on Economic Advisory Forum 9. A.O.B.

Present: Seamus Butler, Ray Hogan, Louise Lovett, Peggy Nolan, Pat O’Toole, Pauric Loughrey,

Apologies: Colm Murray

Absent: Mona Considine, Fintan McGill

In Attendance: Barbara Heslin, Michael Nevin, Terry Rooney, Anne Lee

Presentations: Yes / No (details if Yes)

1 Agenda item Member Discussion Actions / Who 1. Confirmation of Minutes Proposed -Pat of Economic Development O’Toole and Enterprise Strategic Seconded – Peggy Policy Committee Meeting Nolan held on 13th February 2017

2. Matters Arising from  S. Butler  N4/N5 Chambers Group met with Oireachtas Transport committee 2 weeks ago Minutes with a delegation including Dr. B. McCann, & Abbott Site Mgr. At the meeting Senator John O’Mahony proposed and Deputy Robert Troy seconded a request to bring forward for Capital Consideration works from N4 Mullingar to Leitrim Border  B. Heslin  Local Authority came across by chance a request from Deeper to make a submission under the national Capital Plan with a very tight deadline. The Local Authority pulled together any already identified Infrastructural Requirements and also highlighted Broad Band, Gas Network and N4/N5 issues  R. Hogan  Asked if the 20/40 submission agreed at the last Economic SPC had been submitted. B. Heslin said that again in a very tight timeframe a submission had been made which incorporated submissions to the Authority from other groups and which is currently available of the Local Authority website. Ray asked how many submissions had been received from the community and noted that the PPN had not been invited to contribute to this submission and therefore had made a submission themselves. B. Heslin explained that there was no oblation on this occasion to look for submissions from parties other than Elected Representatives and specific SPC members. B. Heslin pointed out that In this case the Economic SPC of which R. Hogan is a member had been invited to submit. B. Heslin noted R. Hogan’s comments and said she was delighted that the PPN had made their own submission

3. Review of LECP Michael Nevin First Review completed earlier this year where each action Lead Agencies had been asked Implementation Strategy to report back on progress against planned actions. This had been done in two separate tranches Community and Economic.

For the next review the Community and Economic sections will join together to request one set of actions to cover both 2017 and 2018 and only one combined Community & Economic feedback will be requested from Lead Agencies. A revised plan will be

2 produced in September 2017 and 2017 actions will be reviewed in February 2018

L. Lovett pointed out that community groups who are Lead Agencies can only project activity subject to funding, as it is usually mid-year before funding levels are agreed

4. Creative and Innovative Michael Nevin Local Authority is actively working on a proposal to create a significant Innovative Hub Hub – Update which will make a bold statement for Longford Town.

Negotiations are currently underway to purchase a significant building 20k feet to locate the HUB. It is likely that these will be concluded within the next week.

P. Nolan said she was delighted with this progress and asked  Had an Architectural overview of what the Hub would look like been carried out. Yes Jane Meade had prepared drawings/plans etc. and Angela Crossan had completed the bill of quantities in relation to costs  How hopeful is the Authority of securing funding to progress the project. Very hopeful of receiving €200k via the Village Renewal Scheme.  As the idea came from this committee can we make sure that if there is a Good News story, that it comes from this committee

P. Loughhrey asked if there had been any expressions of interest in in occupying the space. Yes a number of businesses have expressed interest in individual units. No Anchor Tenant at present but outlook is to sustain 40 to 60 jobs

5. Northern Quarter – Terry Rooney Tenders have gone to Sales agencies for proposals to sell the Shopping Centre and Update another building. Due to be finalised next week. Tenders will include timeline and approach to sale. Budget for Sale and Marketing is €50k. This together with Consultant outlay of €40k will be recouped as part of any sale agreement.

Title transfer of Connolly Barracks is currently with Property Registration Authority (PRA) 6. Town & Village Renewal Terry Rooney 5 to 6 expressions of interest currently submitted. Projects must have Economic Scheme component. Closing Date is May 19th – details on Local Authority Website. As opposed to last year when Longford received €380k this year it is a competitive process with all other counties.

Local Authority Reps plan to meet with groups who have already submitted expressions of interest to go through their projects in detail 3 7. Promotion of Barbara Heslin As part of Local Authorities commitment to promote Longford at every opportunity, Longford events - A locally, nationally and internationally a very successful event was held with John Brennan Discussion on Retail from Kenmare Park on the hospitality sector Excellence The next sessions will be presented by David Fitzsimons from Retail Excellence in the Longford Arms on the evening of May 30th, and will focus on

 Online Sales  Remaining Relevant  Customer Convenience  Weekend Strategies There will be 2 free follow-up training sessions in June

P. Loughrey said he was delighted to see this free event for retailers and potential retailers

L. Lovett referred to LWL’s Skills and Opportunities Retail Skills Mentoring Programme and asked if participants could attend.

S. Butler said that there were no barriers to entry and everyone was welcome 8. Update on Michael Nevin Met with 20 Longford Diaspora 2 weeks ago. Lots of energy, people want to get involved. Economic Advisory Forum Leo looking at some members to be Stakeholders in the progression of the Innovative HUB.

S. Butler said he was disappointed not to have been invited to that meeting and P. Nolan said that the Chair of the Economic SPC should be invited to all such meetings in future 11. AOB  Terry  Roadbridge Construction have been awarded the first phase Centre Parks Rooney Construction development. Recruitment Drive tomorrow evening in Cooney’s Hotel Ballymahon

 Peggy  On closure of Nertney Architectural – P. Nolan received an email from a similar Nolan company in Leitrim who would be able to take on some of the redundant skilled workers  Terry Rooney  At end of April Mary Mitchell O’Connor announced a Town Renewal initiative

4 with the following 3 components o Stakeholder Engagement o Town Centre Forum (Town Teams) o Development Plans  Any future funding such as Town and Village renewal will be channelled via these teams. SB. Said that forums should be set up along Municipal lines

 L.  Requested that minutes be sent out directly after or as soon as possible after the Lovett meeting concludes. She said as she had not been at the last meeting she had missed the 20/40 submission and could potentially miss other opportunities due to the lag time between meetings. S. Butler agreed to look at this Next Meeting Monday September 11th at 11:00