Kildare Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)
What is the LECP?
Kildare Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) is a statutory plan provided for in the Local Government Act 2014. The purpose of the LECP is to outline the priorities to promote and support economic and community development in Kildare. The LECP doesn’t replace other plans but complements them. It informs resource allocation and aims to maximise priorities. While Local Authorities are responsible for developing the LECP, it is not solely a council plan. It is a plan for the county, where local people, community groups, business and farming representative bodies, state agencies and elected representatives agree on priorities and work together to progress action.
Kildare LCDC is responsible for developing and overseeing the implementation of the community aspects of the plan. The Economic Development, Enterprise and Planning Strategic Policy Committee is responsible for the economic aspects.
The first LECP 2016-2021
All counties developed their first LECP 2016-2021. Kildare LECP identified twelve priority high level goals with supporting actions. This plan was approved in December 2015, and was based on extensive analysis, consultation and agreement. A copy of the plan can be downloaded Kildare LECP 2016-2021
Our second LECP 2023-2029
Work commenced in February 2023 to develop our second LECP. It is expected that the LECP will be available in April 2024. The plan follows six stages outlined in National Guidelines:
The LECP is approved by the elected members of Kildare County Council on the recommendation of the Economic Development, Enterprise and Planning SPC (Economic Element) and Local Community Development Committee (Community Element). The finalisation of the plan is underway.
Stage One- Preparation
The Preparation Stage focussed on gathering data, reviewing key policy documents, the first LECP and liaising with key groups. This resulted in the following documents:
1) Kildare Data Profile June 2023_ AIRO
2) Kildare LECP 2016-2021 Review
3) Co Kildare LECP Policy Review
4) Co Kildare LECP Socio Economic Statement
Stage Two- Consultation
Consultation with local communities, local businesses, voluntary sector organisations, statutory bodies, elected representatives and other key bodies took place from July – November 2023. We also reviewed consultations held recently as part of other planning processes to ensure that the views and ideas that you expressed are captured.
Over 1,300 people were directly involved in the consultation for the LECP 2024-2029.
A full report on the consultation progress can be found here:
5) LECP Consultation Report April 2024
The Final LECP Vision and four High-Level Goals are as follows:
Final LECP Vision
County Kildare; working together as a sustainable, inclusive, economically vibrant, healthy community for all.
Final LECP High Level Goal 1
County Kildare, is a PLACE with resilient communities where all people live full, healthy and inclusive lives.
Final LECP High Level Goal 2
County Kildare, nurtures its PEOPLE to reach their full potential and to enjoy a high quality of life at all stages.
Final LECP High Level Goal 3
County Kildare, promotes and prioritises CLIMATE ACTION, CLIMATE JUSTICE and SUSTAINABILITY.
Final LECP High Level Goal 4
County Kildare, attracts the RESOURCES and INVESTMENT to be a sustainable, inclusive, economically vibrant community for all.
Stages Three & Four - Developing Objectives and Outcomes and Finalising the Plan
Work is underway to complete the LECP. The February meetings of the LCDC and Economic Development, Enterprise and Planning SPC approved the draft plan. The Eastern Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) and Kildare elected members reviewed the draft plan. The final stage is to present the LECP to the full council for approval at their April meeting. The EMRA review is available below:
A) EMRA Submission on Kildare LECP 2024
As part of the finalisation of the LECP; Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening took place. It was determined that the LECP will not give rise to likely significant effects on the environment. The SEA and AA reports and letters of determination can be found below:
C) Letters of Determination: SEA LECP Determination Letter, AA LECP Determination Letter
Kildare County Council works on an ongoing basis with the All Island Research Observatory (AIRO) in Maynooth University. They are currently updating the profile of Kildare using Census 2022 datasets. A snapshot of the current profile is available below and more detailed reports will be available shortly.
6)
Contact Us
For further information please contact:
Susan Bookle, LECP Co-ordinator, Community Section, Level 7, Aras Chill Dara, Devoy Park, Naas, Co Kildare W91 X77F
Tel: 087 6687808 Email: sbookle@kildarecoco.ie