Press release
Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien launch ‘Local Economic and Community Plans Guidelines 2021’
From Department of Rural and Community Development
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- Updated guidelines focus on sustainable development and increased collaboration with communities
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, have today 11th November 2021 launched new guidelines on the development of Local and Economic Community Plans.
Local and Economic Community Plans (LECPs) detail how Local Authorities will support economic and community development in their areas over the next six years.
The new guidelines will assist with the development of the plans for local areas, with a key focus on sustainability, consultation and engagement with local communities and businesses.
The guidelines will require Local Authorities to consider housing needs when formulating both the economic and community elements of their LECPs in accordance with the commitment in Housing for All, the Government’s national plan for housing to 2030. With the current Local and Economic Community Plans coming to an end of their current terms in 2021/2022, these new revised guidelines build on the lessons learned from the current LECP cycle, as well as reflecting the needs of communities as we emerge from the Pandemic.
The new approach to the process will ensure LECPs are more agile and allow for emerging needs.
The new guidelines reinforce the important role of communities in determining the needs and priorities of their local area.
Launching the LECP Guidelines today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to launch the LECP Guidelines today. These guidelines have been developed to support integrated planning for both the community and economic sector at a local level - planning which is crucial to ensure we emerge from the pandemic in a strong and inclusive way. Local Authorities will use the guidelines to develop effective and inclusive LECPs for their areas, ensuring full participation by communities and business people alike. I believe the way to building strong communities is to give everyone the opportunity to engage and I encourage communities to do so through the upcoming consultation opportunities presented by the LECP planning process.
Minister O’Brien, continued:
“Today we are delivering a key commitment in “Housing for All” by publishing these new guidelines. They require Local Authorities to consider housing needs when formulating both the economic and community elements of their LECPs. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to support the development of these plans which will provide the foundation for economic and social recovery and support sustainable development across the country over the next six-year period. This has never been more important as we look to support a sustainable recovery from the impact of the pandemic. Local Authorities, and their committees, play a huge role in facilitating a thriving and sustainable local economy’’.
The Ministers were joined by their colleagues Minister of State with special responsibility for Charities and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke TD in launching the Guidelines.
Minister Joe O’Brien added:
“The LECP is an important planning document to set out how Government and other stakeholders can work together to ensure that their initiatives, programmes and projects support an improved quality of life for people living and working in the county, including local actions to combat climate change.’’
Minister Burke commented:
“These guidelines are designed to support the development and implementation of effective LECPs for the next six years. These Plans will be key enablers for Local Authorities and local communities to improve the quality of life for all in their counties.”
Government will continue to support the development of the LECPs through a series of events over the coming months, including an online Introductory Event on the 9th December. Coinciding with the launch of the guidelines, the Department of Rural and Community Development have today launched a Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Supports page on the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) Sharepoint site, which is a dedicated portal to engage fully with LCDC members.
Local Economic and Community Plans Guidelines
November 2021
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The purpose of the Local Economic and Community Plans (LECP), as provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014, is to set out, for a six-year period, the objectives and actions needed to promote and support the economic development and the local and community development of the relevant local authority area, both by the Local Authority directly and in partnership with other economic and community development stakeholders.
As the framework for the economic and community development of the local authority area, the LECP is also the primary mechanism at local level to bring forward relevant actions arising from national and regional strategies and policies that have a local remit.
Under Housing for All, the Government’s national plan for housing to 2030, the Department of Rural and Community Development committed to developing guidelines for LECPs by Quarter 2 2022. The guidelines will require Local Authorities to consider housing needs when formulating both the economic and community elements of their LECPs.
The economic elements of the plan are developed and monitored by the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic development and Enterprise while the community elements are developed and monitored by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC). The approval of the integrated plan is a reserved function of the Local Authority.
The revised LECP Guidelines for the second cycle will provide support to Local Authorities and relevant local partners to develop and implement comprehensive and flexible 6-year plans that will support the sustainable development of their areas over the lifetime of the LECP. The Local Economic and Community Plans will provide a key framework through which climate action interventions can be delivered at local level.
The Department of Rural and Community Development, working in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, convened a high-level inter-agency advisory group to oversee drafting of the revised LECP Guidelines. This advisory group included representation from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Local Authorities and the Regional Assemblies, with opportunities for other Departments to engage in the process to ensure relevant cross-Government policies were reflected.