Planning is now underway for the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme (RDP ) 2014-2020. It is expected that by January 2016, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will decide on who will deliver the new LEADER programme in Mayo.
The Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC ), comprising Mayo County Council, South West Mayo Development Company, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company, and Comhar na nOileán Teo, are coming together to draw up a county wide plan, a Local Development Strategy for the new LEADER programme. They are now seeking the input of communities for the community aspect of the plan. In this community-led process, a series of consultation meetings are being organised throughout the county. These give every area and community an opportunity to have its needs and ideas for local projects included in the community element of the County Mayo Local Development Strategy. This strategy will lay out how LEADER funds for the whole county will be used over the duration of the programme, until 2020.
Community organisations are encouraged to attend the community consultation meetings in their local areas or, if the date is not suitable, another meeting convenient to them. All are welcome to attend.
The upcoming schedule of meetings is as follows, all meetings are at 7.30pm: Monday, September 21 in the Inishturk Community Centre, Tuesday, September 22 in the Parochial Hall in Ballyhaunis and the Clare Island Community Centre. On Wednesday, September 23 in the Quay Community Centre in Westport. Thursday, September 24 in the Killala Community Centre. On Monday, September 28 in the Gateway Hotel, Swinford and on Wednesday, September 30 in the Town Hall in Crossmolina. The meetings will continue in October starting off on Thursday, October 1 in the Parochial Centre in Charlestown, Friday, October 2 in Rosmoney in Mayo Sailing Club. They will continue the next week starting off on Monday, October 5 in the Town Hall in Claremorris, before moving to the Newman Institute in Ballina on Tuesday, October 6. On Wednesday, October 7 the meeting will move to the Kiltimagh Theatre on the Kilkelly Road, before moving to the Mayfly Hotel in Foxford on Thursday, October 8. On Monday, October 12 there will be a meeting in the Welcome Inn Hotel in Castlebar before the final of the first batch of meetings will take place on Wednesday, October 14 in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel in Belmullet.
