NWRA - Crafting a Vision for Regional Development

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Framework for Dialogue on new Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies

CONTENTS 2

WHY THINK AND PLAN REGIONALLY

3 4 6

CONNECTED REGION

WHY REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

THE ASSEMBLY AND OUR FUNCTIONS 8

SO… WHAT DO WE DO? 9

OUR PRINCIPLES

PROJECT INVOLVEMENT

10

12

STAKEHOLDERS MAKING IT HAPPEN

13

14 16

MEMBERS

MEET THE TEAM

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1

WHAT IF WE LIVED IN THE MOST REGION IN EUROPE? A location where rural communities were embraced and that rural living was promoted as the way forward.

This Framework aims to commence a dialogue on our regions future. The Framework also sets out our approach and underlying principles. Although not equipped with all the answers yet the Assembly is committed to crafting a future that encapsulates existing best practice whilst also challenging the consensus and committing to innovation.

The time to show we were smart enough to shape that future, when we had the chance, is now. Our region boasts some incredible place-based initiatives.

The Assembly simply aims to Connect these and be a platform for positive but transformative change.

Our approach needs to consider:

[[ Our comparative advantages and business competitiveness [[ Methods for attracting increased human capital [[ Maintain existing and attract new capital flows [[ Maintain and grow investment in infrastructure [[ Future settlement patterns What if we lived in the most CONNECTED region in Europe? A region where rural and urban areas were interconnected and both grew from each other.

Our vibrant education system was the most responsive to local and international trends, our economic sectors could optimise their natural strengths, our people were creating wealth from any rural location and multinationals were competing for fully resourced sites and facilities.

2

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

A place where entrepreneurs were encouraged as children and networked internationally as they grew.

What if our region CONNECTED? What if our region was the Adventure Capital of Europe and our natural energy resources powered our communities? We were a European leader in Circular living and we adopted a low carbon approach to development. Our Creative Economy continued to thrive powered by our people and their commitment to innovation.

Why Not? Times are changing in Ireland. Regional Government has changed and the Regional Assembly is now responsible for delivering Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES).

We want to start the conversation and we want you to be part of it. The conversation will inform your regions future - where people will live, where jobs will be created and how we can determine it?

Our vision is that our Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies has the capability to CONNECT us.

DONEGAL

C L U

MAYO

LEITRIM Ballaghaderreen

ROSCOMMON

UNIT M M I

MONAGHAN

ES

SLIGO

CO

E R S T S CAVAN

LOUTH

A

T C E H M

T S E C

O

N

C

T S

Galway City

R S

GALWAY

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

3

WHY THINK & PLAN REGIONALLY The new Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for our region will be based on a partnership, focusing on place-based regional economic development and effective regional planning The Strategy will be responsive to international trends, population trends and cognisant of our community needs. Most importantly it will reflect the ambition of our people.

The conversation is only commencing but we are committed to engaging as widely and effectively as possible. The Strategy will promote timely, evidence-based and coordinated delivery of regional economic development. Our intention is to promote existing best practice, foster innovation and ultimately connect it. The Assembly’s commitment to this process is set out below. We would value any feedback on our approach:

Create a shared understanding about regional economic development across all levels of government sectors and our citizens.

Establish an agreed process for regional economic development activities, particularly where activities are place-based.

Facilitate cooperation and collaboration between Local & Regional Government structures, communities and sectors.

Integrate and align National Planning Policy with Local Economic & Community Plans and Local Development Plans.

Promote an innovative, competitive and productive region that enhances our GVA and contributes significantly more to national competitiveness.

Manage shifts in population trends, population movements and employment locations.

4

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

WHY REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

SHARED RESOURCES

REDUCE DUPLICATION

INNOVATION

BEST PRACTICE

ENHANCED RESILIENCE

COMPETITIVENESS LONG-TERM PLANNING

Global economic conditions and national trends in population and employment changes are impacting our regions and communities in different ways.

The challenge for central Government and our region is to build long-term competitiveness so that all regions can contribute and share in the benefit of growth.

Place-based strategies recognise that geographic context, including economic, social, cultural and institutional dimensions affect economic and social behaviour, and therefore strategies for growth should be tailored to the particular attributes of a region.

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

5

THE ASSEMBLY AND OUR FUNCTIONS

Interpreting Our Role

The central purpose of the Regional Assembly is to ‘Create Better Places and a more Competitive Region’. Your Region.

The Assembly has a vision to be the most Connected Region in Europe – achieving competitiveness through Innovation, Investment and Infrastructure.

Our task is to align and connect these duties in a manner that delivers optimum results across our region.

[[ Promoting coordinated action to promote effectiveness in Local Government and public services [[ A new role in linking local economic development with regional and national planning through oversight of Local Economic and Community Plans.

6

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

ON

R

The Regional Assembly has a vision to enhance our competitiveness through ‘CONNECTING’ and building on our strengths.

TU

[[ National contact point for EU- funded programmes; and regional contact point on all EU funding

E

[[ Developing, implementing and promoting regional development policy and activities;

B L O W CAR

[[ Management of European Regional Development Funding (€320 million Regional Operation Programme)

NA

[[ Regional economic development and spatial planning;

AC

RANT PL B I V

Our Core responsibilities now include:

PLACE

DONEGAL

SLIGO

MONAGHAN LEITRIM

PL

L

A

Our Region is already internationally recognized for being a Vibrant Place… a Low Carbon Place… a Natural Place… an Innovative Place… a Skilled Place

SK

I

LL

CAVAN

ROSCOMMON

GALWAY Galway City

D PLACE

RA

CE

INTEGR

Ballaghaderreen

TE

A

MAYO

E C ED PLA

Who and Where We Are Based in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon the Regional Assembly was established in 2015.

Membership of the Assembly is drawn from elected members across our Local Authorities (Galway City & County, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo and Cavan).

For more information please log onto www.nwra.ie #nwassembly

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

7

SO… WHAT DO WE DO? Create Better Places and a more Competitive Region. Your Region.

1

Create BETTER PLACES by ensuring our region adopts effective planning and economic development policies centered on sustainable and resilient growth.

2

Enhance our COMPETITIVENESS by optimizing all exchequer and EU funding (with local & regional partners) to ensure appropriate levels of investment and infrastructure are secured for our region.

3

Act as a PLATFORM for collaboration, knowledge transfer and ultimately regional economic development.

…and how will we do it?

8

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

OUR PRINCIPLES Use evidence based decision making and international best practice in Regional Planning Responsibly manage all ERDF and other EU programmes and funding Engage with regional stakeholders to inform best practice Explore the value of place based initiatives and economic catchments across the region.

Be responsive to emerging regional economic clusters and connect our thriving clusters.

Coordinate between Government, Local Authorities, Community and Industry to build better places Integrate National, Regional and Local Planning

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

9

PROJECT INVOLVEMENT €320 million ERDF

10

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

11

STAKEHOLDERS

Comhairle Chontae An Cabhรกin Cavan County Council

Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe Galway City Council

Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo Mayo County Council

Comhairle Chontae Liatroma Leitrim County Council

Comhairle Contae Mhuineachรกin Monaghan County Council

12

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

Comhairle Chontae Shligigh Sligo County Council

MAKING IT HAPPEN

2017

will see the commencement of Regional Engagement for the new Spatial and Economic Strategies.

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

13

MEMBERSHIP OF THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY Membership of the Regional Assembly is comprised of designated elected representatives from each county in the region.

2

Cllr. Paddy Smith Cllr. Sean Smith

3

Cllr. Seamus O’Domhnaill Cllr. Jack Murray Cllr. Frank McBrearty

3

Cllr. Jimmy McClearn Cllr. Martina Kinane Cllr. Tomás Ó Curraoin

3

Cllr. Pearce Flannery Cllr. Declan McDonnell Cllr. Niall McNelis (CoR)

3

Cllr. Frank Dolan Cllr. Justin Warnock Cllr. Enda Stenson (CoR)

MAYO

4

Cllr. John Caulfield Cllr. Patsy O’Brien Cllr. Christy Hyland Cllr Rose Conway Walsh (CoR)

MONAGHAN

2

Cllr. Jackie Crowe Cllr. Séamus Coyle

ROSCOMMON

2

Cllr. Nigel Dineen Cllr. Eugene Murphy

3

Cllr Keith Henry Cllr Seamus Kilgallon Cllr. Jerry Lundy (CoR)

CAVAN DONEGAL GALWAY GALWAY CITY LEITRIM

SLIGO

CoR* Committee of the Regions Member

14

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

DONEGAL

SLIGO

MONAGHAN

LEITRIM

MAYO

CAVAN

Ballaghaderreen

LOUTH

ROSCOMMON LONGFORD

MEATH

GALWAY Galway City

WESTMEATH OFFALY

DUBLIN

KILDARE

LAOIS

LIMERICK

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

WICKLOW

CLARE Limerick City

Dublin City

CARLOW TIPPERARY

KILKENNY WEXFORD Waterford City

KERRY

CORK

WATERFORD

Cork City

CRAFTING A VISION FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

15

MEET THE TEAM

Mr. David Minton Director dminton@nwra.ie

16

Mr. Denis Kelly Assistant Director/ Senior Planner dkelly@nwra.ie

Mr. Gerry Lavelle Programme Executive glavelle@nwra.ie

Ms. Eiméar Dowd Staff Officer edowd@nwra.ie

Mr. Frank Flanagan Senior Executive Planner fflanagan@nwra.ie

Mr. Barry Guckian Programme Executive bguckian@nwra.ie

Ms. Gerardine Lafferty Assistant Staff Officer glafferty@nwra.ie

Mr. Conall McGettigan Senior Executive Planner cmcgettigan@nwra.ie

Ms Pauline Grennan Clerical Officer pgrennan@nwra.ie

Mr. Michael O’Brien Programme Liaison Officer mobrien@nwra.ie

Ms. Catherine Burke Assistant Staff Officer cburke@nwra.ie

Mr. Brendan Mooney Auditor bmooney@nwra.ie

Ms. Marie Moriarty Clerical Officer mmoriarty@nwra.ie

NORTHERN & WESTERN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

Northern & Western Regional Assembly The Square, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon +353 (0)94 9862970 +353 (0)94 9862973 info@nwra.ie

The Border Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 (ERDF) is a â‚Ź320 million Programme managed by the Regional Assembly concentrating on Innovation, Sustainable Urban Development, SME support and the low carbon economy.

www.nwra.ie