First meeting held of new body replacing JPC

The new body that is replacing the former Joint Policing Committee for Westmeath, held its first meeting on Tuesday 25 November, when Geraldine Lacey was elected as chairperson and Cllr Denis Leonard as vice-chairperson.

The establishment of the Westmeath Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) is seen as an important step forward in implementing the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 and introduces a fresh, partnership-based approach to community safety, according to Westmeath County Council.

In this new model, elected representatives, statutory agencies, and community stakeholders are tasked with creating locally-focused strategies that promote safety and wellbeing throughout Westmeath.

Members agreed to formally adopt terms of reference and standing orders at their next meeting, taking place in January 2026.

Preliminary discussions took place regarding the development of the Westmeath Community Safety Plan (2026-2028), including plans for a comprehensive community consultation process.

The partnership also scheduled six meetings for 2026, including a public meeting in September.

LCSP Coordinator Brigid Geoghegan opened proceedings by welcoming members and outlining the partnership's role in fostering community participation and empowerment.

A video message from Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, TD, was played to mark the occasion. He said: "This marks another significant step in rolling out these partnerships nationwide. Bringing together local representatives, community groups, and state agencies allows each partnership to identify and address safety needs in their own area."

Newly elected chairperson Geraldine Lacey, stating she was honoured to be appointed to the role, told the meeting she looked forward to working collaboratively with residents, community organisations, and statutory agencies to strengthen safety, build trust, and ensure every voice is heard.

Closing the meeting, Barry Kehoe, chief executive of Westmeath County Council, stated: "The establishment of this partnership represents a genuine opportunity to place community voices at the heart of how we approach safety in Westmeath. By working together across agencies and with our communities, we can build a safer, more connected county where people feel secure and supported."

The WLCSP will now focus on developing its community safety plan, with support from the National Office for Community Safety. A subcommittee has been established to develop a framework for the design and drafting of the plan, along with the associated consultation methodology. Minutes of the meeting will be published within two weeks on westmeathcoco.ie.