Conn Murray 3/11/2010

 Introduction
• Challenges
• Context
• Organisation Response
• Providing Leadership
• Cross Border opportunities
• Cutting costs not Services


• 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.


• 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


• 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

 Establishment of County Development Board 2002
– 2012
 Louth County Economic Development Strategy (2009-2015) – Indecon
Economic Consultants
 Membership – Louth Economic Forum

Padraic White, (Chairman)
Patricia Rooney, Drogheda Chamber
Graham Hughes, Drogheda Chamber
Malone, Dundalk Chamber
Ronan Dennedy, Enterprise Board
Michael Curran, Louth County Council
Edel O ’ Mahony, Louth County Council
Pat Doherty, IDA Ireland
Declan Mealy, SEAI
Conn Murray, County Manager
Graham O ’ Rourke, Drogheda Chamber
Ray Carroll, Tourism & Heritage Forum Chairman Paddy
Bill Tosh, Dundalk Chamber
Denis Cummins, DkIT
Michael McCabe, Louth County Council
Conor Fahy, Enterprise Ireland
Ray Kelly, FÁS
Niall O ’ Lamhna, Teagasc
John Kieran, Ardee Business Community
Kevin Kidney, Fáilte Ireland
Gerard McGivern, Newry & Mourne
Louth Economic Forum
‘ Ten Point
Action Plan’
Malachy McCloskey, Age Friendly Business
Forum Chairman


• 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

N
International Pharma / Life Sciences Companies
Letterkenny
Derry
Sligo
Belfast
Monaghan
MONAGHAN
Cavan
CAVAN
Dundalk
LOUTH
Drogheda
Athlone
Dublin
Galway

1 . Foreign Direct Investment
2. Sustainable Energy
3. Indigenous Industry
4. Tourism & Heritage
(Published 19 th Feb 2010)
(Published 26 th May 2010)
(Published 7 th July 2010)
(To be published Jan 2011)
(Task Group being est’d)
5. Education & Training
6. Agriculture and Fisheries
7. Broadband
8. Age Friendly Business
(To be progressed in 2011)
(Task Group in operation)
(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)

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


• 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
Newry-
Dundalk
Sub-
Region
• Economic competitiveness
• Sustainable development
• Natural and cultural heritage
• Managing the resource
• Social cohesion
• Infrastructural investment
• Up-skilling

 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

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


•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


• Rate reductions
• Water charge reduction
• Development Levy reduction
• BIDS Company
• Business incentive scheme