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Policy Information

Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs)

Published: 28 November 2018
From: Department of Rural and Community Development

Introduction

LCDCs are groups established in each local authority area.

An LCDC is made up of:

  • members of the local authority
  • local authority staff
  • people from public bodies who provide funding to the area
  • people from the local community interests
  • people from the local community
  • people from publicly funded/supported local development groups

LCDCs draw on the expertise and experience of public and private people and organisations in each local authority area.

Purpose of LCDCs

LCDCs are responsible for:

  • co-ordinating, planning and overseeing local and community development funding
  • bringing a more joined-up approach to the running of local and community development programmes and interventions
  • pursuing an integrated approach to local community based services across providers and delivery structures
  • promoting meaningful citizen and community engagement in the planning and evaluation of development programmes
  • pursuing a more cost-efficient administration of local and community development programmes and delivery structures
  • matching resources to priorities
  • ensuring better value for money in the management and delivery of programmes
  • focusing on learning and feedback, enhancing the links between services delivery and policy development
  • pursuing opportunities for additional funding for the area, whether exchequer, EU, private or other sources

Further information is available on the relevant Local Community Development Committees List.

How LCDCs came about

The Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government was published in October 2012. It recommended the introduction of LCDCs in each local authority area as a way of improving community development and giving local government a more central role in local and community development.

Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs)

A key function of the LCDCs is to prepare the community elements of 6-year Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs).

The purpose of the plan is to promote the local and community development of each local authority area. This is done through a coordinated approach to planning and service delivery.

The plan focuses on measures which will:

  • enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of communities, including measures aimed at tackling poverty, disadvantage and social inclusion
  • support training, upskilling and jobs creation
  • enable the provision of infrastructure and community facilities
  • support the capacity of local communities to improve their quality of life
  • develop sustainable solutions that make the best use of existing local assets, strengths and opportunities
  • support social enterprise, social capital, volunteering and active citizenship, and
  • foster community involvement in policy development and decision-making processes relating to planning, development and delivery of services

Published local economic and community plans can be viewed on the relevant local community development committees list. The Revised Guidelines for the Operation of LCDCs - December 2016 contain complete guidelines for LCDCs.

Review of Local Community Development Committees (LCDC)

As part of the Guidelines on Local Economic and Community Plans the Department of Rural and Community Development is currently reviewing the LCDCs. The aim of the review is to build and inform the ongoing development of LCDCs. It is intended to have this work completed in early 2019.

Review of LCDCs

Contacts

Community Policy Unit
Address: Community Division, Department of Rural and Community Development, Government Offices, Ballina, Mayo,
Telephone numbers: 0761006929, 
Email: lcdev@drcd.gov.ie, 

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