Closure of bank and post office branches, and public transport raised at LECP workshop

The Castle Varagh Hotel hosted an upbeat Local Economic Community Plan Workshop on Tuesday evening, June 7.

Proceedings were overseen by Mary Goldsberry, administrative officer at Westmeath County Council.

David Jones, director of services at the council, spoke on environmental matters. The attendees then split into discussion groups, each facilitated by council staff members.

A number of proposals and suggestions were put forward by each group.

The closure of bank and post office branches, and more regular public transport to larger towns were among a number of topics advanced by the discussion groups.

From the Westmeath County Council website:

The Local Economic & Community Plan 2023 - 2029 for County Westmeath

Background

The LECP is provided for by the Local Government Reform Act, 2014. The purpose of the LECP is to set out objectives and actions that promote and support the economic and community development of Westmeath over the six year period of the LECP.

The first LECP published was LECP 2016-2021 and the new LECP will provide an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of the last LECP and incorporate these learnings into the new LECP, thereby ensuring a robust plan for the next six years.

The LECP 2023-2029 will consist of two components:

- The Economic element – to be developed by the Economic Development Enterprise and Tourism Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

- The Community Element – to be developed by the Westmeath Local Community Development Committee LCDC).

Members of Westmeath County Council’s Climate Action team will also be present at all workshops to update members of the public on the development of Westmeath County Council’s Climate Action Plan.

Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, all local authorities are required to prepare a Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) for their respective area.

The Climate Action Plan will be developed over the coming months and aims to promote and deliver climate action at local level.

The views expressed at the workshops on the theme of climate will help to inform the development of the LECP in relation to this topic but will also inform the drafting of the Climate Action Plan.

HAVE YOUR SAY

The Westmeath Local Community Development Committee want you to tell us about the opportunities and challenges you face, across the county that affect your lives.

We want you to share with us your vision for Westmeath, to inform the next Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) based on the Socio-Economic Statement.

There are a number of ways to get involved.

LECP Questionnaire - You can complete the LECP Questionnaire on or before 4pm on Friday 30th June, 2023 or you can attend one of the workshops as per the schedule below.

WORKSHOPS/ PUBLIC CONSULTATION - To register for the workshops please complete Workshop Registration Form.