“ See the Wind Turn the rudder ”

1. “See the WindTurn the rudder” Conn Murray 3/11/2010

2. Challenges • Context • Organisation Response • Providing Leadership • Cross Border opportunities • Cutting costs not Services Introduction

3. The Challenges • How to respond to the need for reduce costs while the expectations and demands of the public and politicians remain to date unaltered. • How to balance managing our performance within the Local Government sector with an ever present pressing need to deliver, against a backdrop of an economic crisis and yet, the need for long term sustainability remains. • How to re-enforce links across transport, education, health, economic development and community safety when service delivery mechanisms and budgets remain compartmentalised and jealously guarded. • How to achieve inclusive and cohesive communities while the economic and social forces reinforce separation.

4. Financial Uncertainty • Income base collapsing • Public anger directed at public sector • Staff Moral – numbers reducing and wages • Inexperienced elected Councils • Public Service Reports • The need for Organisations to adapt quickly Context

5. Local Authorities Today • Structure – Town and County • Importance of Local Democracy and Local Accountability • The Local Authority leading through partnership • Role of the County Development Board • OECD Review - TPS Agenda • Citizen centred services • Network approach to provision across organisations • A greater focus on performance • A more integrated public service will depend on changing behaviour rather than changing structures

6. Louth Local Authorities Corporate Structure

7. Louth Economic Forum Structure

8. Establishment of County Development Board 2002 – 2012 • Louth County Economic Development Strategy (2009-2015) – Indecon Economic Consultants • Membership – Louth Economic Forum Padraic White, (Chairman) Conn Murray, County Manager Patricia Rooney, Drogheda ChamberGraham O’Rourke, Drogheda Chamber Graham Hughes, Drogheda Chamber Ray Carroll, Tourism & Heritage Forum Chairman Paddy Malone, Dundalk Chamber Bill Tosh, Dundalk Chamber Ronan Dennedy, Enterprise BoardDenis Cummins, DkIT Michael Curran, Louth County Council Michael McCabe, Louth County Council Edel O’Mahony, Louth County CouncilConor Fahy, Enterprise Ireland Pat Doherty, IDA IrelandRay Kelly, FÁS Declan Mealy, SEAINiall O’Lamhna, Teagasc John Kieran, Ardee Business Community Malachy McCloskey, Age Friendly Business Kevin Kidney, Fáilte Ireland Forum Chairman Gerard McGivern, Newry & Mourne • Louth Economic Forum ‘Ten Point Action Plan’

9. Louth Value Proposition • At the heart of Dublin & Belfast Corridor • No Cities but Huge Catchments from Drogheda & Dundalk • 80,000 Student Cohort • 6 Universities • Research Oriented Local Institute • Robust Infrastructure • Gateway Possibility DDNG

10. Population within 60km Catchment

11. N International Pharma / Life Sciences Companies Derry Letterkenny Belfast Monaghan Sligo MONAGHAN Dundalk Cavan CAVAN LOUTH Drogheda Athlone Dublin Galway

12. Ten Point Action Plan 1. Foreign Direct Investment (Published 19th Feb 2010) 2. Sustainable Energy (Published 26th May 2010) 3. Indigenous Industry (Published 7th July 2010) 4. Tourism & Heritage (To be published Jan 2011) 5. Education & Training (Task Group being est’d) 6. Agriculture and Fisheries (To be progressed in 2011) 7. Broadband (Task Group in operation) 8. Age Friendly Business (Task Group being est’d) 9. Drogheda Dundalk Newry Economic Corridor (To be progressed 2011) 10. Making Louth the Best County to do Business (Draft Plan-Nov 2010)

13.  Achievements  Sustainable Energy Action Plan Ardee 2020 Drogheda 2020 Louth Energy Saving Intern Programme Low Carbon Business Application  Foreign Direct Investment Action Plan Warner Chilcott Satir Dundalk Science and Technology Park  Indigenous Action Plan Funding Opportunities Business Support Unit

15. Cross Border Realities • The need to drive and manage the development of the primary urban structures while still protecting the importance of the rural character of our counties. • Realising the potential of Drogheda/ Dundalk/Newry as the regional gateway of the North East within the context of the M1/A1 corridor. • Harnessing the potential of the Dublin/Belfast economic corridor for the benefit of the Region, • The need to maintain competitive edge in the regional and national economy while addressing the overdependence on the traditional manufacturing industry prevalent throughout the area • Understanding and preparing for the consequences of the economic circumstance facing both jurisdictions. • The need to address issues of crime, law and order, access to health, education and affordablehousing. • The need to find a forum to speak with one voice on issues of mutual concern and interest.

16. Newry-Mourne / Louth Platform for Co-operation • Economic competitiveness • Sustainable development • Natural and cultural heritage • Managing the resource • Social cohesion • Infrastructural investment • Up-skilling Newry-Dundalk Sub-Region

17. Delivering in Partnership • Strategic Alliance • M.O.U. • Cooperation on Infrastructure • Narrow Water Bridge • Shared Services • Challenge of Change • Geo Tourism • Emergency Services • Funding Opportunities

18. Cutting Costs not Services • Shared Services • Economic Studies • Planning Services • Water Services • Fire Services • Library Services • Planning • Tourism

19. Energy • Collaboration with SEI andDKIT • Transportation • Public Lighting • Structured approach to energy management • €1M in energy costs within energy zone • €500,000 saved in energy costs by Louth Local Authorities

20. Benefits to Business • Rate reductions • Water charge reduction • Development Levy reduction • BIDS Company • Business incentive scheme

21. Thank You