Wicklow County Council and County Wicklow Public Participation Network (PPN) want to hear the public’s views about the economic and community development and wellbeing of the county.
There are two plans being developed at present – both interlinked. These are the Co Wicklow Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) and the Co Wicklow PPN Vision for Community Wellbeing Statement.
The LECP will drive a series of goals and actions to lead an interagency approach to economic development and supporting community resilience in the county. The plan covers areas such as the regeneration of towns and villages, the promotion and mainstreaming of equality, building on our strengths and natural resources for economic development, supporting enterprise and innovation.
The second plan, the Co Wicklow PPN Vision for Community Wellbeing Statement, reflects the views and priorities of communities and is seen as a good measure of how well we as communities are doing. The consultation will help the PPN to monitor and identify actions that can lead to stronger and more resilient communities. It will also help the PPN to participate in decision making in the county.
The first step is to seek the public’s views. These will feed into both plans where relevant. Therefore we need people to tell us what they consider to be important priorities based on, but not exclusive to:
- Economy and Resources – Economic Development, Enterprise and Job Creation
- Social and Community Development
- Environment and Sustainability
- Health (Physical and Mental)
- Values Culture & Meaning
- Participation Democracy and Good Governance
Mr Brian Gleeson, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, is hoping that people and community groups become involved in the process: “We are delighted to be working with the PPN on the consultation for these two very ambitious and extensive plans that will ultimately make the county a better place to live, work and visit”.
Helen Howes, Resource Worker for Co Wicklow PPN, explained: “Although we sometimes think about ‘wellbeing’ in terms of good physical and mental health, it can also describe the wider conditions we need to have a better quality of life. Some of these are things that we can easily measure, like the number of school places, jobs, or the speed with which an ambulance can get to a sick person. Others are less easily measured, such as our pride of place, our heritage, and the way in which we all look after each other.”
There are two ways to participate in the consultation: an online survey is now open to feed into both the LECP and the Vision for the PPN Community Wellbeing Statement. Access the survey online on www.countywicklowppn.ie/news or www.wicklow.ie/living/consultationhub
Or, alternatively, pick up a hard copy in any local library or Municipal District Office. Written submissions can be made to: Office of Community, Culture & Social Development, Wicklow County Council, County buildings, Wicklow or emailed to: lecp@wicklowcoco.ie
Closing date for written submissions is 5pm Thursday 21st April 2022
