by badminme | Sep 18, 2023 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development
Emma Karran – Economic Development SPC meeting notes – September 2023
Notes from Econ Dev SPC meeting 18/9/23
1 I asked why LECP wasn’t on the agenda. Padraic said he would talk about it in AOB
2 Marine spatial planning presentation
Slides to follow
A couple of counsellors raised that there were “lots of jurisdictions”. One questioned the ongoing involvement of ABP. Helen Quinn replied that ABP have a maritime section now and still play an important role in her opinion. I raised the concern that we place all our emphasis on the large offshore wind project (esp as it’s not a forgone conclusion that it will happen here) and the importance of having other plans for the economic well-being of Clare. Helen responded that they will be looking for opportunities for Clare County Council to have a voice about this going ahead. Johnny Flynn spoke of the importance of renewable onshore energy especially as the offshore wind project wouldn’t be happening until 2032 at the earliest. He also raised the concern of the impact of constructing turbine towers here in Clare: eg housing, mining, road structure. Helen responded that an impact study will be important and that they are considering all development proposals, including onshore wind.
3 CAP update presentation (Chris Dixon O’Mara)
Presentation to follow
There will be a six week public consultation mid-October
I raised that PPN had inputted on the draft plan and are looking forward to further inputs as the process continues. Also our delight in the arrival of the CA officers and that we would like to see them committed to emissions not just to adaptation. Johnny spoke of his concern about sufficient adaptation infrastructure in place and mentioned the Clarecastle barrage as an example of inadequacy. Carmel responded that structural assessment of the barrage is ongoing. I supported Jonny’s concerns about adaptation but said that reducing carbon emissions must still be a priority. During the meeting mention was made of a second SIFP being needed. I raised the necessity of this having representation from local elected community and environmental members. The point was acknowledged.
4 Sustainable supports for enterprise presentation (Padraic)
5 Biodiversity Officer Update Presentation
I just mentioned that I welcomed on one of the presentation slides the mention of headroom management training, as there are widespread concerns of inappropriate management of hedgerows
6 AOB
Padraic spoke about the LECP: He said that it was felt that the plan was not at the stage where it needs to come in front of this SPC so it was not put on the agenda. There are two meetings of the advisory group scheduled for next Monday and the following one – and then there will be a joint LCDC and Ec Dev SPC meeting on Oct 4th for approval of the plan so far. They will then be a public consultation for six weeks followed by formal approval. He mentioned the PPN submission and said “a number of the points are being factored in”. So we need to check on this! He will circulate to the SPC members the document of an updated socio-economic profile and the plan so far. (High level objectives and suggested action plans). He is asking for feedback by Friday if there is anything people want added especially on “actionable actions.
by badminme | Sep 13, 2022 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development
20th June 2022 Economic Development SPC report by Emma Karran
Active Land Management Measures:
- Residential Zoned Land Tax will replace vacant site levy and comes into effect in 2024. Vacant site levy until then, with legislation to bridge the gap.
- Derelict sites excluded
- Buildings with commercial rates won’t be liable to tax
- Maps (updated and reviewed each year) will be circulated – with appeal process. They will provide baseline for tax to be managed. LA responsibility to publish maps.
- Permission to request change of zoning accepted this year (and guidelines will be issued).
- Rev Commissioners will manage tax
- Any piece of land which fell into scope in Jan 22 is liable.
Q: uplift in value doesn’t go to the State.
R: Efforts will be made to secure a proportion of that value. State taking more active role for the common good to get more share of uplift in value. Working with Attorney General on this – for future funding of infrastructure.
Q: developers sometimes withhold access to infrastructure (incl zoned land within it).
R: Nothing specific in legislation if it’s within control of land owner. Land owners can be pushed to make sure land is activated and developed for housing.
Shannon Foynes Port Co presentation: (still waiting for presentation to be sent in)
CEO Keating
- “Fossil fuels no longer an alternative” he said but also “potentially Shannon LNG”.
- Cruise ship potential in the estuary
- Big plan for offshore wind project. (Memorandum signed with Norwegian Co)
- Need to reactivate Shannon Integrated Framework Plan
- Shannon Estuary Taskforce there to help
- Rosslare is not competition because it is a small harbour
- Target is for 80% of electricity produced using renewable energy by 2030. We need a national policy about harnessing wind energy: bringing together different depts.
Emma Karran: “As SFPC is a state body under AEGIS of Dept of Transport – and current Govt policy is not to support Shannon LNG, I would be grateful if you could place on record that SFPC is in opposition to LNG terminal (in line with Govt policy). And (ii) asking opinion of impact of disastrous recent LNG plans to build a floating terminal which would effectively block any other development in the estuary (when a tanker was arriving). Potential therefore to sterilise the estuary.”
Response: It is before ABP right now – “in the system” – and not going to comment on a [live] planning application. Gas is a transition fuel: cleanest recognised globally and estuary will not be clogged from a shipping point of view because it is so wide.
Climate Change and Biodiversity
This was postponed until the Sept meeting because of lack of time
Abodoo Report (Presentation was sent on separately)
Notes: 78% of businesses in Clare are microenterprises. 53% of them are in Ennis; next biggest Shannon. ICT top. Av earnings: 36K. 10% (?) self-employed (National av is 8%)
AOB
Money Point to report at a future meeting
by badminme | Jun 14, 2021 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development
Report from Emma Karran on Economic Development SPC on 8th June 2021
1) SRA on EU Funding Opps
Johnny expressed concern that Clare is always ‘firefighting’ PJ Kelly asked for confirmation that 90% of expenditure goes to L’k, Cork and Waterford (this was not contested). PJ Ryan asked how to promote Shannon Airport. Johnny raised point about an EU Hub now Heathrow out of the picture. Liam responded re this last point that this is “the start of a conversation”
2) Planning
(i) CDP review update
Helen Q gave a break down of submissions (I think you might have these already?) (renewable energy at the top at 34%). She spoke about the various volumes that would be drafted. Draft will be ready by the start of August, followed by 10 weeks of public consultation events. Johnny expressed concern about retail strategy (vulnerability of N and W Clare local retail due to development around L’k – esp after Covid and Brexit). PJ Ryan asked about the land zoning time frame. I asked about how submissions are weighted. Patrick Keogh asked about housing strategy and water infrastructure. Michael Begley asked if there would be more detailed flood risk maps. Helen replied that the flood maps are informed by the OPW and she hoped they would reflect what happens on the ground.
This seems a very salient point, given Ennis could well be largely under water in less than ten years! Has anyone taken in the urgency and implications of this yet???
(ii) LECP Guidelines (Liam)
He reflected on whether there would be an annual or biannual review in the new action plan. He spoke of the need to make sure climate action was overarching in the LECP process – and impact of climate action bill Johnny asked if the next (2022) census would be accommodated? Liam replied that next LECP update will follow the census, but can’t be immediately (need to have time lapse of a year? after census)
4) Climate Change and Biodiversity (Liam)
Liam spoke about the Intergovernmental Action Plan 2021: esp the role of enterprise in carbon emissions and the focus is on reducing the latter I made my point buttering their bread about how Clare could be in the forefront – and supporting what Liam had just said (as I mentioned in yesterday’s email). Liam then said an academic study was needed on the economic vulnerability of Clare to sea level rise. We can feed into OPW info re flood levels rising. He said work was being done on Clare’s part in creating jobs in a reduced carbon economy. There would be a presentation at CARO level before the end of the year
by badminme | Oct 14, 2019 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development
Your Economic Development SPC representatives
The following Clare PPN representatives were ratified at the Clare PPN plenary meeting on 8th October 2019. We would like to offer our congratulations to them and look forward to working together to represent the interest of the people of County Clare.
Elaine Dalton – Social Inclusion Representative
Elaine D’Alton is the Project Coordinator of the NCCWN – Clare Women’s Network. Elaine is a feminist with a strong commitment to inclusion, human rights and ensuring the voices of women are brought to the forefront of decision making and their lived experiences are included and considered when structural, political and social policy development is being determined.
Emma Karran – Environmental Representative
Emma Karran is English born and has lived in Doonbeg with her family for four years. Her engagement in topics of local concern began when she became a member of the environmental group Futureproof Clare and joined the protest against the proposed LNG terminal in the Shannon estuary.
A mother herself and with links to the communities in south west Clare through her work, she wants to commit herself to deeper active involvement in the future health and well-being of the people of Clare and its land through being on the Strategic Policy Committee for Economic Development
by badminme | Oct 7, 2019 | Current, Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development, SPC for Physical Development, SPC for Rural Development, SPC for Social Development
Introducing Clare PPN’s nominees for seats on Clare PPN’s Strategic Policy Committees 2019- 2024
Following the local elections in May 2019 Clare County Council’s Strategic Policy Committees had to be reconstituted as per the legislation. These Strategic Policy Committees or ‘SPCs’ for short advise Clare County Council on policies and decisions. By having seats available to outside interests they help to bring in expertise and experience from the community and voluntary, farming, trade union and business sectors. Clare PPN member groups have the role of nominating and electing all the representatives from the Community and Voluntary, Environmental and Social Inclusion sector in Clare who will sit on these committees.
On September 17th following the adoption of the ‘Draft Scheme for Strategic Policy Committees’ by Clare County Council, Clare PPN circulated a call for nominations to all its member groups for the seats we had been allocated on all four strategic policy committees. We received in total 11 nominations for the 11 available seats accross our three colleges. Although this was excellent – the nominations were not exactly aligned with the seats available; in two cases we had two nominees for one seat and none for another. Following discussions with those nominated for those particular seats we were able to reallocate the nominees to ensure that each seat had the proper number of nominees from each college. Following that we are able to announce that the following people are Clare PPNs nominees for seats on the SPCs. They will be put before our member groups for ratification at our plenary meeting on October 9th (7pm Clare PPN offices, Clonroad Business Park, Clonroad, Ennis) and following that will be sent to Clare County Council.
Economic Development SPC
Elaine Dalton – Social Inclusion Representative
Elaine D’Alton is the Project Coordinator of the NCCWN – Clare Women’s Network. Elaine is a feminist with a strong commitment to inclusion, human rights and ensuring the voices of women are brought to the forefront of decision making and their lived experiences are included and considered when structural, political and social policy development is being determined.
Emma Karran – Environmental Representative
Emma Karran is English born and has lived in Doonbeg with her family for four years. Her engagement in topics of local concern began when she became a member of the environmental group Futureproof Clare and joined the protest against the proposed LNG terminal in the Shannon estuary.
A mother herself and with links to the communities in south west Clare through her work, she wants to commit herself to deeper active involvement in the future health and well-being of the people of Clare and its land through being on the Strategic Policy Committee for Economic Development
Rural Development SPC
Annie Wise – Environment College Representative
Anny Wise is nominated by An Taisce Clare branch and was born in Antwerp Belgium in 1942. She moved to Northern Ireland in 1985 and then to Shannon in 1990. She has three degrees and studied in Sussex, Antwerp and NUIGalway. Her latest master is in Rural Development which she completed in 2006. She was first nominated to an SPC in 2006 by the Environmental Pillar and served since having been elected to represent the environment by the PPN. The SPCs she served on were were involved in transport, planning and land use.
Eugene Crimmins – Community and Voluntary Representative
Eugene is a founding member of Newmarket Village Centre Text Alert. He is a committee member and former Chair of Newmarket on Fergus Tidy Towns. A former County Arts Officer, Eugene has a long established record of community development, including having served as a board member of Obair Environmental Development Association and Clare PPN Secretariat.
Jean O’Keefe – Social Inclusion College
Jean is a Youth Work Manager with Clare Youth Service and manages The Junction Youth and Community Building. Clare Youth Service had its beginnings in 1969 when it was established as the Clare Regional Youth Council. Over the years it has changed and developed to become a leader in the field of Youth Services. It is affiliated to Youth Work Ireland (t/a NYF). The aim of Clare Youth Service is to assist the holistic development of young people and those who work with them so that they are enabled to participate fully in society in a way which respects the equal worth of all.
Physical Development SPC
Padraic Hayes – Social Inclusion Representative
Padraic graduated with a Masters in Marketing from Limerick Institute of Technology and has worked since then in the area of administration and finance. His real passion however lies in advocacy and he is the current Chairperson of the Clare Leader Forum, which is an independent group of people with disabilities who work to create a voice on disability issues in Clare. Padraic has helped the Forum grow from strength to strength and with his support the Clare Leader Forum has now become one of the key cross-disability representative groups in Clare. At a national level Padraic has also continued to promote the rights of people with disabilities through his work with the Center for Independent Living and more specifically through his role on the Value for Money (Transforming Lives) committee
Aishling Wheeler – Environmental Representative
Aisling is a teacher, perma-culturist, parent and climate activist. She is chairperson of Kilfenora Tidy Towns Committee. She has been involved in many environmental campaigns over the years and is currently working voluntarily with Futureproof Clare and Extinction Rebellion Ireland to raise awareness of the Climate Crisis and prepare our communities for the future.
James Giller – Environmental Representative
James Giller is a First Class Honours graduate of Computer Science from UCC and holds a Master of Engineering from Osaka University, Japan, specialising in robotics. He applies his knowledge of information technology, especially in autonomous systems, to research and engage with relevant environmental and socioeconomic issues such as industrial automation; autonomous, connected and electric vehicles; and data centres and other IT infrastructure. James has excellent communication skills as well as experience as a representative in the UCC Student Council, where he was awarded Best New Speaker. He has hosted a number of public talks on the climate and biodiversity crisis in Ennis and given interviews on the occasion of a number of rallies and other events to both local and national media. He has also contributed to submissions on past Draft Litter Management and Climate Change Adaptation Plans from Clare County Council. James is involved in a campaign to help Ennis businesses achieve low/zero-waste.
Damon Matthew Wise Âû – Community and Voluntary Representative
The CEO/National Secretary of NCPD. He has represented people with disabilities and environmental issues at local, county, national and international levels, including to the United Nations. Damon also serves as a secretariat member for Clare PPN and as part of Federation Trust worked with community and voluntary groups to assit them with incorporation.
Social Development SPC
Trudy Leyden – Community and Voluntary Representative
Trudy has a long interest in Social and Cultural policy. She has a Masters of Arts in Politics and has qualifications in Cultural Studies and Literature and has trained with the Clare Adult Basic Education Services and worked as an After School Homework Tutor with the Clare Local Development Company. Trudy is involved in volunteering with many organisations. She has been a Brownie Leader with the reformed Ennis Brownie Branch. She was a volunteer with the Fleadh Committee in both 2016 and 2017. She is the current Secretary with the Quin Community Text Alert Service
Noel Kearney – Social Inclusion Representative
Noel is currently serving as secretary for Clare Leader Forum. He is active in a variety of community groups and is involved with mental health organisation Shine and with Clare Local Mental Health Forum. He organises discos and social events for people with disabilities and in his spare time he loves collecting records, reading, music, and is a big fan of films.
by badminme | Sep 17, 2019 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Economic Development, SPC for Physical Development, SPC for Rural Development, SPC for Social Development
Tuesday 17th September 2019
Call for nominations for Social Inclusion College representatives. Closing date 30th September 2019 5pm.
As some of you will be aware Clare PPN has a number of representative seats on Clare County Council’s Strategic Policy Committees. (SPCS) Following the local elections held in May 2019, it is now necessary for us to hold elections to select representatives to hold these seats. This page deals only with the seats available to our Social Inclusion College member groups of Clare PPN.
What is a Strategic Policy Committee?
The task of each SPC is to assist and advise the Council in the formulation, development and review of policy in a certain thematic area. Each SPC consists of a elected Councillors as well as Business, Farming, Trade Union and Community Interests. Clare PPN is responsible for the nominations and support of all the Community and Voluntary Sector seats. There are currently four separate SPCs organised in Clare County Council. They are as follows:
- Physical Development SPC – with responsibility for Climate Change, Transportation, Water and Waste Water, Fire and Major Emergency Management.
- Economic Development SPC – responsible for Economic Development, Planning and Enterprise, Biodiversity
- Rural Development SPC – responsible for Rural development, Community, Tourism, Broadband, Digital Information and Communications Strategy
- Social Development SPC – with responsibility for Housing, Arts and Culture, Sports and Recreation.
We are seeking nominations for one Social Inclusion representative for each of the above SPCS (4 x vacancies)
Who can make Nominations?
Every current Social Inclusion College member group of Clare PPN can nominate one person for each of the three representative positions. Once all nominees have been received on September 30th Clare PPN will circulate their details and hold online elections in which all environmental member groups will be invited to vote.
Who can be Nominated?
Any person who is in a Social Inclusion College member group of Clare PPN can be nominated for these positions with the following exceptions
- Currently serving elected representatives may not be nominated.
- Anyone who has contested elections in the last year may not be nominated.
- Those who have declared their intention to stand for general or local election can not be nominated.
- If someone is nominated and later decides to contest an election they will have to vacate their seat.
- Any individual can only hold one SPC seat.
What’s involved in being a representative on an SPC for Clare PPN?
The successful candidates will be required attend four SPC meetings per year on behalf of all the Social Inclusion member groups in Clare PPN (plus a brief pre-meeting on the same day at Clare PPN), four Clare PPN plenary meetings per year and the occasional pillar group meeting and or training event. Feedback after each SPC meeting will also be required. Clare PPN will provide support for anyone who decides to take on these positions and travel expenses will be covered by Clare County Council and Clare PPN.
How do you Nominate Candidates?
NB: Please ensure that your group has re-registered in 2019 (you will have received emails to assist this process in the last few weeks). If you have any queries or need further assistance please email admin@clareppn.ie
• Member groups from the Social Inclusion College of Clare PPN can nominate one candidate per representative position. If you are not sure which pillar your group belongs to please contact: admin@clareppn.ie
• A candidate can only be the nominee for ONE representative position on ONE SPC – in the case that a person is nominated for more than one SPC we will contact them to ask them to select one which they wish to stand for.
• The candidate’s permission must be secured before they are nominated
• A fully completed form (see link below) with a clear photo and a short biography of the nominees (up to 200 words) must be submitted to admin@clareppn.ie
Nomination Form Social Inclusion Pillar
• Nominations must be received by 5pm, Monday 30th September 2019 after this date we will contact all members with the full list of candidates and ask for their votes.
Please make sure you do nominate and then vote in these elections- we want to be sure our member groups are fully involved in selecting who they want to represent them on these three SPCs. Please get in touch if any of the above confuses you or if you need any help. You can get us on 087-1617375 or admin@clareppn,ie
