FINGAL LEADER PARTNERSHIP Annual Activity Report 2017 1 Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Rural Dublin LEADER (DRL) 4 3. Tús Programme 13 4. Jobs Club 21 5. Organisation Development 23 6. Board of Directors 26 7. Staff 28 2 1. Introduction 2017 has been another very successful year for Fingal Leader Partnership. The Dublin Rural LEADR programme got off to a very strong start with project targets being met and, in some cases, exceeded. The Tús Programe has seen the successful placement of over 200 participants with over 130 participating non-profit organisations, assisting them to deliver much needed services for our local communities. The Care and Repair and the new Computer Home Support services operated under the Tús programme continues to go from strength to strength. The Jobs Club ensured that over half of all clients during the year either successfully regained employment or went on to further education. 2017 also saw the very successful move to our new offices and the integration of services into our new premises at DSV House in Swords Business Park. In February 2017 we appointed our new CEO, Dr. Chris O’Malley who, over the past year, has been successfully planning, formulating and managing the change process within the company. On behalf of the board I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his guidance, direction, hard work and commitment to the company since his appointment. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Deputy CEO, Phil Moore, for her hard work and dedication to the company over the past number of years. Her knowledge and experience of the various programmes undertaken by the company during that time has been invaluable. Thanks also to the various teams that deliver the programmes and make it all happen on a day to day basis. Finally, I want to acknowledge the great work being done at board level and to thank my fellow directors for their contribution and commitment during the year. We look forward to continuing the great work that has been achieved to date and look forward to continuing to build a stronger and more dynamic company in 2018 and beyond. Chris Harmon Chairperson 3 1. Rural Dublin LEADER (DRL) The LEADER Programme in Dublin provides funding support for community-led local development projects outside the larger urban areas (see map). The 2014- 2020 Programme has funding of €6.4m and got underway from September 2016 with a schedule of events, meetings consultations. In the course of 2017, the first tranche of projects came successfully through the application and approval process. The programme is based on the Local Development Strategy, adopted by the Local Action Group (LAG) whose membership represents the operational area of Fingal, South Dublin County and Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, and was approved by the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The programme budget allocation is structured according to the priorities of the Local Development Strategy, under the following Themes and Sub- Themes: Themes % of Budget Sub-Themes 1. Economic Development, 50 % 1.1 Rural Tourism Enterprise Development & Job 1.2 Enterprise Development Creation 1.3 Revitalising Rural Towns 2. Social Inclusion 25 % 2.1 Basic Services for “hard to reach” 2.2 Rural youth 3. Rural Environment 25 % 3.1 Protection and sustainable use of water resources 3.2 Protection & Improvement of local biodiversity 3.3 Development of renewable energy Project promoters are required to go through a 15-stage approval process in order to have their projects approved by the LAG. While Fingal County Council, as Financial Partner of the programme services the LAG, the role of the FLP Rural Development Officers in Fingal Leader Partnership is to advise and support the applicants through the complex process involved, and ensure that the maximum number of eligible projects are able to receive support. Also key to the process has been the Independent Evaluation Committee composed of voluntary external experts. The Committee began its deliberations in 2017 and was critical to the projects that were approved. 4 EOIs received in 2017 - Status and County split: Total EOI's Received Rolling Targeted County Split 61 35 26 F SD DLR Breakdown 40 15 6 LEADER Projects Contracts issued Rural Tourism Millbank Theatre Marketing Plan Harry Clarke A Window into the Peninsula Dunsoghly Castle Feasibility Feasibility Study at Ardgillan Castle Fingal Food Experiences Fingal Food Provenance Programme Fingal Food Trail Redevelopment of Paws at Ardgillan Dog friendly cafe Enterprise Development Colin Harris Business Development Marketing / Leaflet drop of bus timetable in North Fingal Rural Area Upgrade of IT equipment pcs laptops and firewall Hedgestown Boarding Kennels Staropolska Business Expansion Project Social Inclusion/ Basic services Glenasmole Community Centre Men’s shed Donabate Portrane Donabate Portrane Community Stage Remember Us Upgrade Ringcommons Sports Centre Facilities Rosanna Hall Renovation Social Inclusion/Rural Youth Samhain Festival Rural Environment Ballyboughal Environmental Workshops Series The Dublin Rural LEADER team continued to promote and raise awareness of the LEADER Programme throughout 2017 with additional information events across the operational area. The team also utilised Digital Marketing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and the DRL website to increase the level of interest and encourage applications for support through the programme. A series of video interviews with programme clients, who successfully completed their projects and received funding support through the LEADER Programme was published on the DRL website. In line with the ethos of Community Led Local Development (CLLD) and the LEADER programme we forged links with other agencies/organisations providing supports for communities, enterprises, rural youth, and others. 5 Projects Approved in 2017 by Theme: • Ardgillan Castle- PAWS Dog Cafe • Fingal Tourism - Fingal Food Trail • Bleeding Pig Festival Rural Tourism • Antoinette Carroll - Dog Kennels • Staropolska Bakery • Colin Harris - Craft Furnture Rural Enterprise • Roseanna Community Hall • Remember Us - Special Needs facility • Ringcommons Community Centre Social Inclusion • Glanasmole Community Centre • Ballyboughal Hedgerow Society Environment 6 Testimonials: “We applied to Dublin Rural LEADER for a grant and in 2017 we were successful. That has made such a huge, huge difference for us. It has meant that we can complete our fit out fully.” Nora Roban- Remember Us “Without the guidance of Dublin Rural LEADER, we’d still be in existence, I am sure, but we would not have the direction going forward. I would so strongly recommend any community group to just don’t be afraid and lift the phone, even if you don’t know what you want. It’s a sin that so many communities are not availing of this, maybe not because they don’t want to, but maybe they are not fully aware of this.” Michael Maher- Retired Active Men Social “I feel that this LEADER investment in the business has made a significant step change in both the sales and marketing and the efficiency of production which were identified as key elements to improve in order to make the business sustainable. I am delighted to be now working full time in the business and I am very excited about the possibilities for growth in the future. I would sincerely like to thank Dublin Rural LEADER for all of their help and support without which I could not have achieved this significant development in my business.” Colin Harris Development Business “Definitely it will help other businesses to go for the grant. I definitely recommend it. I would say do your “homework”, don’t take shortcuts with the paperwork, make sure everything is all right and it will run smoothly.” Anthony Byrne- Calliaghstown Equestrian Centre 7 “Our committee are very pleased with the project. The parking facilities within the grounds make the community hall a much safer place for people attending clubs and functions and the improved lighting and security cameras give people ease of mind and has encouraged more people to attend community events. The new rockeries with the lovely stone work are a beautiful feature and the new spotlights highlight the beautiful oak tree and the new shrubs. We are looking forward to seeing the full benefit of the improvements.” Bernie Farrelly - Rosanna Hall Project Case Studies: (1) Upgrade of Ring Commons Sports Centre Facilities The Ring Commons Sports Centre is located on the Bog of the Ring Road of the old Balbriggan Road. As the name suggests the Ring Commons Sports Centre caters sports groups but it is also the only community facility in the area. The Ring Commons sport centre was set up in 1977 and developed from 10 acres of reclaimed wetland and consists of GAA, cricket, soccer and rugby ground and pitch and putt. The FAS Community Employment office for the area is also located on the site and Community participants have undertaken training programmes in areas such as horticulture, green- keeping, pitch marking, health and safety, first aid and computer skills. There are 25 community groups in total using the site and 17 sporting clubs using the facilities. The promoters have completed the tarmac of the area in front of the centre to enable greater access to the centre replacing the gravel surface. They further intend to erect security fencing closing off a bog river running parallel to the centre. (2) Feasibility Study for the Development of Dunsoghly Castle in St Margarets This project is about the preparation of a Development Study for Dunsoghly Castle in St Margarets, County Dublin. Dunsoghly Castle is situated on the Lyons family farm and they are keen to commission this study to investigate the tourism potential of developing the site into a rural tourism attraction. The Tower House and Chapel are part of the National Monument in the ownership of the State and the reminder of the National Monument Area is in the ownership of Lyons Family.