Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)

Introduction

The report on local government - Putting People First – An Action Programme for Effective Local Government – Oct 2012, - envisaged a range of reforms including an enhanced role for local government in community development.  This enhanced role for the Council in community development was provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014 which was enacted on 1^st June 2014 and included for the establishment of Local Community Development Committees in each Local Authority Area. Regulations and Guidance have also being issued by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government (DHPCLG) in respect of these LCDC’s.  The Longford LCDC was formally established on 30^th June 2014.

Membership of the LCDC

The membership of the LCDC and the mechanism for selecting these members is prescribed in the legislation and guidance.  This membership comprise a range of statutory and non-statutory socio-economic partners drawn from the Councils administrative area.  The LCDC membership is constituted so as to ensure an appropriate representational balance between public and private interests, while also facilitating an appropriate mix across the broad range of sectors across the county. 

LCDC Membership 2023

Contact for the LCDC

Longford LCDC is supported by a team of Council staff, led by a Chief Officer.

Chief Officer: Mr Ciaran Murphy

Senior Executive Officer , Community Development, Longford County Council, Aras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford.

Email: lcdc@longfordcoco.ie

Tel: (043) 334 3506

General Queries: Laura McPhillips/Michelle Shanley

Email: lcdc@longfordcoco.ie

Tel: (043) 334 3307

Role

The LCDC is a committee of the Council and its primary role is to develop, co-ordinate and implement a coherent and integrated approach to local and community development.  The primary work of the LCDC to date has been in advancing the following initiatives:

• Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)
• Community Support Fund (CSF) 
• Community Activities Fund (CAF)
• Healthy Ireland (HI)
• Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme (SECGS)
• Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)
• Rural Development Programme (LEADER)
• Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP)

LCDC Meetings

In general the LCDC meets every 2 months and the business of the meeting is transacted in accordance with adopted Standing Orders.

Equality & Human Rights- The Public Sector Duty

Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 places a positive duty on public sector bodies to have regard to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect human rights in their daily work. As a public body, Longford LCDC has a commitment to:

• Undertake an assessment of human rights and equality issues that are relevant to its functions, to the services it provides, or regulates or oversees, and to its employees.  An initial assessment may inform a strategic statement to guide the next phase of the strategic planning process. 
• Integrate human rights and equality initial assessments in the strategic planning process.  If working with an already commenced strategic planning cycle, ensure that links between human rights and/or equality statements and related to action plans are incorporated into current work activities. 
• Consult broadly with employees, managers, trade unions, individuals and communities accessing and using the services, and other key stakeholders, which may be affected by inequalities and human rights issues.
• Provide training or information to key staff and managers on human rights and equality.  Include these issues within the organisations communication strategy.  Support initiatives to promote awareness on human rights and equality, such as staff briefings, thematic events/days for staff and service users (UN Days, Mental Health awareness, etc.) and/or organise events celebrating diversity and human rights.
• Monitor and evaluate policies and programmes from a human rights and equality perspective, identifying which existing policies and practices are particularly relevant.
• Develop action plans on human rights and equality with defined actions and responsibilities.
• The collection of data, clearly defined targets, indicators and responsibilities will ensure effective monitoring and reporting on human rights and equality.  Provide evidence-based information on these initiatives and achievements in your annual reports.

To this extent, Longford LCDC has devised and adopted an Equality & Human Rights Statement.

This Equality and Human Rights Statement serves as a means to address our obligations under the Irish Human Rights Equality and Commission Act 2014 to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and protect human rights in carrying out our functions.

The Statement  reflects our shared commitment to equality and human  rights. This encompasses the grounds covered in the equality legislation of gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion and membership of the Traveller community, as well as socio-economic status.

Our commitment to equality and human rights is motivated by a set of shared values:

Download our EQHR Statement below:

LCDC Equality & Human Rights Statement.pdf (size 141.9 KB)