The report ‘Supporting Enterprise, Local Development and Economic Growth-Analysis of Local Authority Activities for 2012’ was published today by the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA). The report which was welcomed by Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., highlights over 2,300 separate actions, projects and promotional activities undertaken by local authorities in 2012 to support job creation and economic development. These actions include organising and supporting festivals which bring tourism into our cities and towns (465 events); developing infrastructure (330 projects) to enable investment; supporting entrepreneurship through provision of financial incentives, facilities and training; and promotion of networking and marketing.
The County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) findings are based on research assessing the extent of existing local authority activities in support of enterprise, economic growth and employment. The report findings confirm the very important role which Local Authorities currently play in supporting enterprise, local development and economic growth throughout the country.
Mr. Michael Malone, Chair of the CCMA said “I believe the results show the range of experience and unique capability of local authorities and I am confident that the report will assist in sharing best practice and in the preparation of local action plans for jobs throughout the country”.
The report also confirms the growing importance of local authorities fostering local innovation and entrepreneurship through a range of networking events, workshops and schemes that are tailored to suit local opportunities and circumstance.
As part of the Action Plan for Jobs, launched by Minister Hogan in September 2012, the County & City Enterprise Boards are being replaced by Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), to act as one-stop shops to deliver enterprise supports through the local government system. Local Authorities are fully committed to establishing the LEOs in the coming months and to substantially broadening their role in the area of enterprise support and job creation at community level.
Local authority input is essential across the full spectrum of actions outlined in the national “Action Plan for Jobs”. The Action Plan complements the broader government plan, and highlights the ongoing work by local authorities to support jobs and enterprise in their area. The research findings in this report conclusively demonstrates that local authorities collaborate effectively on a daily basis with the business community and a network of national / local agencies, providing a key enabling role in a myriad of activities which ultimately yield valuable and significant job dividends
Mr. Malone, said today that “Local Authorities also offer a range of supports to businesses at a local level including supporting businesses by not increasing commercial rates in recent years and continued the recent trend of freezing / reducing commercial rate charges this year. In addition, all local authorities are taking other actions to assist rate payers including reducing or freezing water chargers and working with businesses to agree flexible payment plans.”
The CCMA’s research confirms the vast majority of actions flowing from the National Action Plan for Jobs can be linked to specific investments by local authorities on the ground. Analysis of the 2012 National Database which accompanies this report confirms that that the exemplars of what “works on the ground”, works well precisely because these projects are designed with local strengths and assets in mind. The research can be used to guide local public representatives on how to implement the national Action Plan for Jobs at local level.
The full report and database of activities and outputs by each local authority can be found at CCMA Report or see below.
For more information contact olam@lgma.ie 01-6332200
