Conn Murray 3/11/2010

“See the WindTurn the rudder”

Introduction

• Challenges

• Context

• Organisation Response

• Providing Leadership

• Cross Border opportunities

• Cutting costs not Services

The Challenges

• How to respond to the need for reduce costs while the expectations and demands of the public and politicians remain to date unaltered.

• How to balance managing our performance within the Local Government sector with an ever present pressing need to deliver, against a backdrop of an economic crisis and yet, the need for long term sustainability remains.

• How to re-enforce links across transport, education, health, economic development and community safety when service delivery mechanisms and budgets remain compartmentalised and jealously guarded.

• How to achieve inclusive and cohesive communities while the economic and social forces reinforce separation.

Context

• Financial Uncertainty

• Income base collapsing

• Public anger directed at public sector

• Staff Moral – numbers reducing and wages

• Inexperienced elected Councils

• Public Service Reports

• The need for Organisations to adapt quickly

Local Authorities Today• Structure – Town and County• Importance of Local Democracy and Local Accountability• The Local Authority leading through partnership• Role of the County Development Board• OECD Review - TPS Agenda

• Citizen centred services• Network approach to provision across

organisations• A greater focus on performance• A more integrated public service will

depend on changing behaviour rather than changing structures

Louth Local Authorities Corporate Structure

Louth Economic Forum Structure

Establishment of County Development Board 2002 – 2012

Louth County Economic Development Strategy (2009-2015) – Indecon

Economic Consultants

Membership – Louth Economic Forum

Padraic White, (Chairman) Conn Murray, County Manager

Patricia Rooney, Drogheda Chamber Graham O’Rourke, Drogheda Chamber

Graham Hughes, Drogheda Chamber Ray Carroll, Tourism & Heritage Forum Chairman Paddy Malone, Dundalk Chamber Bill Tosh, Dundalk Chamber

Ronan Dennedy, Enterprise Board Denis Cummins, DkIT

Michael Curran, Louth County Council Michael McCabe, Louth County Council

Edel O’Mahony, Louth County Council Conor Fahy, Enterprise Ireland

Pat Doherty, IDA Ireland Ray Kelly, FÁS

Declan Mealy, SEAI Niall O’Lamhna, Teagasc

John Kieran, Ardee Business Community Malachy McCloskey, Age Friendly Business

Kevin Kidney, Fáilte Ireland Forum Chairman

Gerard McGivern, Newry & Mourne

Louth Economic Forum ‘Ten Point Action Plan’

Louth Value Proposition

• At the heart of Dublin & Belfast Corridor• No Cities but Huge Catchments from Drogheda & Dundalk• 80,000 Student Cohort• 6 Universities• Research Oriented Local Institute• Robust Infrastructure• Gateway Possibility DDNG

Population within 60km Catchment

N

CAVANLOUTH

MONAGHAN

Drogheda

Dublin

Belfast

Dundalk

Galway

Athlone

Letterkenny Derry

Cavan

MonaghanSligo

International Pharma / Life Sciences Companies

Ten Point Action Plan

1. Foreign Direct Investment (Published 19th Feb 2010)

2. Sustainable Energy (Published 26th May 2010)

3. Indigenous Industry (Published 7th July 2010)

4. Tourism & Heritage (To be published Jan 2011)

5. Education & Training (Task Group being est’d)

6. Agriculture and Fisheries (To be progressed in 2011)

7. Broadband (Task Group in operation)

8. Age Friendly Business (Task Group being est’d)

9. Drogheda Dundalk Newry Economic Corridor (To be progressed 2011)

10. Making Louth the Best County to do Business (Draft Plan-Nov 2010)

Achievements Sustainable Energy Action Plan

Ardee 2020

Drogheda 2020

Louth Energy Saving Intern Programme

Low Carbon Business Application

Foreign Direct Investment Action Plan

Warner Chilcott

Satir

Dundalk Science and Technology Park

Indigenous Action Plan

Funding Opportunities

Business Support Unit

Cross Border Realities• The need to drive and manage the development of

the primary urban structures while still protecting the importance of the rural character of our counties.

• Realising the potential of Drogheda/ Dundalk/Newry as the regional gateway of the North East within the context of the M1/A1 corridor.

• Harnessing the potential of the Dublin/Belfast economic corridor for the benefit of the Region,

• The need to maintain competitive edge in the regional and national economy while addressing the overdependence on the traditional manufacturing industry prevalent throughout the area

• Understanding and preparing for the consequences of the economic circumstance facing both jurisdictions.

• The need to address issues of crime, law and order, access to health, education and affordable housing.

• The need to find a forum to speak with one voice on issues of mutual concern and interest.

Newry-Mourne / Louth Platform for Co-operation

• Economic competitiveness

• Sustainable development

• Natural and cultural heritage

• Managing the resource

• Social cohesion

• Infrastructural investment

• Up-skilling

Newry-Dundalk Sub-Region

Delivering in Partnership

• Strategic Alliance

• M.O.U.

• Cooperation on Infrastructure– Narrow Water Bridge

• Shared Services– Challenge of Change– Geo Tourism– Emergency Services

• Funding Opportunities

Cutting Costs not Services• Shared Services

• Economic Studies• Planning Services• Water Services• Fire Services• Library Services• Planning• Tourism

Energy

• Collaboration with SEI andDKIT• Transportation• Public Lighting

• Structured approach to energy management• €1M in energy costs within energy zone• €500,000 saved in energy costs by Louth Local Authorities

Benefits to Business

• Rate reductions

• Water charge reduction

• Development Levy reduction

• BIDS Company

• Business incentive scheme

Thank You