Waterford City & County Council : Local Community Development Committee

Local Community Development Committee

Background to the Establishment of Local Community Development Committees (LCDC)
In 2012, the policy document ‘Putting People First’ was published and this sets out reforms to improve the delivery of services for the citizen, deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness and give local government a more central role in local and community development.

The Local Government Reform Act 2014 gives legislative effect to the commitments in ‘Putting People First’ including:

The establishment of a Local Community Development Committee, as a sub-committee of the City and County Council

The preparation of a six year Local Economic & Community Plan by Waterford City & County Council

Purpose of the Local Community Development Committee

Have primary responsibility for co-ordinating, planning and overseeing local, community and rural development funding

Bring a more joined up approach to the implementation of local and community development programmes and interventions

Drive meaningful citizen and community engagement in local and community development programmes

Pursue a more cost efficient administration of local and community development programmes and delivery structures, the matching of resources to priorities and better value for money

Focus on learning and feedback, enhancing the links between service delivery and policy development. Pursue opportunities for additional funding for the area

Functions of the Local Community Development Committee

To prepare, adopt, implement, monitor and review the community elements of the Local Economic & Community Plan

To consider and adopt a statement in respect of the economic elements of the Local Economic & Community Plan

To improve the co-ordination of publicly funded programmes including the Local Community Development Programme, Rural Development Programme and Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme and reduce duplication

To prepare an annual report on the performance of its duties

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2022 provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

Administered by Pobal and funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development, it also receives funding from the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020

SICAP addresses high and persistent levels of deprivation through targeted and innovative, locally-led approaches. It supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups.

The programme is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities, and actions are delivered by Programme Implementers which in Waterford’s case is Waterford Area Partnership Ltd. CLG.

PIs work with marginalised communities and service providers using a community development approach to improve people’s lives. For example, helping people to find work or to up skill, providing CV training or a personal development course or helping them onto a work placement programme e.g. CE or Tύs.

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

Minister Humphries announces €1 million in Capital Funding for Social Enterprises

See link to Press Release issued by Department of Rural and Community Development on 6-12-21.