Theminutes of thelast meetingheld on 21^st June 2023 were proposedby Councillor T. Murphy and secondedby Councillor D. Butler.

The minutesof the meetingsof the 21^st June 2023,were AGREED.

It was AGREED by the members to begin the meeting with Item No 4 and Item No 5 on the agenda.

Mr Lorcan Blake, Grant Thornton Consultants gave an overview presentation on the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) 2023-2028 and the Economic Development Strategy with a focus on approach and timelines. It was proposed that the draft Economic Development Strategy will be presented at an additional meeting of the SPC to be scheduled for October with a view to agreement and submission to the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) and full Council at the November meetings.

It was also agreed that the Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP), subject to approval by the Eastern Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA), would be brought to the SPC for recommendation to the CPG and Council meetings in December.

The presentation was well received by the SPC Members.

Mr Daragh McGreal, KPMG gave a presentation on the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC) partnership and concept development timelines, outlining the strategic objectives, key enablers, sectors and ways of working with a focus on the short and long-term priorities/actions. Cllr. D Butler thanked Mr. D McGreal on the progress made to-date in the development of the DBEC plan. The presentation was well received by the SPC members.

Mr Declan Power, Senior Executive Officer gave an update on the Fingal Tourism Strategy which is approaching completion and will be presented at an additional meeting of the SPC to be scheduled for October with a view to agreement and submission to the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) and full Council at the November meetings.

This was agreed by SPC members present.

Mr Declan Power, Senior Executive Officer reported that the Fingal Food Policy is approaching completion and will be presented at an additional meeting of the SPC to be scheduled for October with a view to agreement and submission to the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) and full Council at the November meetings.

This was agreed by SPC members present.

Mr John Quinlivan, Director of Services outlined that three elected member nominations were required for the DBEC Political Advisory Board.  The nominees are the Mayor, the Chair of the SPC plus an additional elected member from the SPC.  Following discussion, the Chair of the SPC advised he would be standing aside due to work commitments which allowed two elected members from the SPC to take nominations.  The nominees are Mayor Councillor Adrian Henchy, Councillor Howard Mahony and Councillor Tony Murphy.  This was agreed and accepted by the SPC members. 

Mr John Quinlivan, Director of Services outlined that one elected member nomination was required on the Fingal Skills Strategy Implementation Group.  Following discussion, the nominee is Councillor Tony Murphy.  This was agreed and accepted by the SPC members.

Ms Aine Donlon Kavanagh, Administrative Office gave an update on the Interreg Europe SKYLA Project focusing on the project objective to refresh the Fingal Skills Strategy within the four-year project timeline and upcoming project partner visit in November.

An update on the “Xplore Your Future - TY Expo” scheduled to take place in the Helix on the 3^rd October 2023 was provided.  This educational showcase initiative by Fingal County Council, as part of the Fingal Skills Strategy, is supported by DCU, Interreg Europe, Dublin Regional Skills Forum, City of Dublin Educational Training Board, Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board, Solas, public and private employers. The event will feature live and virtual reality demonstrations with practical hands-on learning experiences for TY students by a variety of exhibitors to showcase the educational and training possibilities and potential career paths available for students. 

The members thanked Ms Aine Donlon Kavanagh and her team on all the preparation work carried out in respect of these projects.