Kildare 2012 - An Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy
What Principles Govern This Strategy?
In July 2000, KCDB drew up a set of principles to govern this Strategy and their own work. This set of principles has been used in designing the consultation process and in drafting the vision, goals and objectives included.
These principles are:
- Co-operation between all interests as part of the overall solution
- Collective responsibility for developing and implementing the Strategy
- A clear focus on social inclusion and specific attention to the views of
excluded groups - Flexibility in the processes needed to achieve the aims of the KCDB Strategy
- Community and stakeholder involvement in policies and projects
- Commitment to dialogue between different sectoral interests and between those with opposing views
- A focus on expectations for the future development of the county rather than on the detail of current difficulties
- A recognition of the legitimacy and mandate of local Elected Members and the importance of voluntary effort in community and local development
- Recognition of the importance of value for money issues
- An openness and commitment to change.
- These principles are reflected throughout this Strategy, in its vision, goals, objectives and actions. These principles will also be used in reviewing and evaluating our progress.
How was the Strategy Made?
KCDB believes that establishing the views of as broad a range of interests as possible, through consultation, is the key to a successful strategy.
Because of this belief, consultation has formed the cornerstone of the design of this Strategy. Since March 2000 a range of consultation and research was undertaken.
KCDB met 14 times over this period to review progress and input into the various steps in the Strategy as it was drawn up.
Throughout the consultation process KCDB has made sure that all interests have had the chance to put forward their views.
| When? | What Happened? |
|---|---|
| January 2000 |
A series of public meetings were held to inform people of the Integration of Local Government and Local Development process, the CDB and the Community & Voluntary Forum |
| March 2000 | KCDB was established. |
| July 2000 |
KCDB agreed the principles to govern the Board itself and the KCDB Strategy. |
| October 2000 |
Kildare Community & Voluntary Forum was formally established, building on the work of an interim steering group, to act as the representative body for community organisations in the county. |
| November 2000 | KCDB drew up an initial set of key issues it considered to be facing Kildare. |
| December 2000 |
An Audit of Services was undertaken to find out what public services are available, where and to whom. The ‘Governance in the 21st Century’ Conference teleconferenced between Kildare, Meath and Dublin, was held to discuss the CDB Strategy. |
| January 2001 |
KCDB, in co-operation with Kildare Community & Voluntary Forum, undertook a Community Audit to find out the needs and obstacles facing community organisations in the county. |
| February 2001 |
Public consultation inviting the views of over 2,000 groups and individuals on the key issues facing the county over the next 10 years took place. Kildare Youth Conference & Survey was held bringing over 75 15-18 year olds and their teachers together to discuss their views on the future development of the county. A Cultural Focus Group was convened to discuss aspects of Kildare’s unique identity and culture. |
| March 2001 |
Research on the Kildare County Profile began in order to draw up an analysis of current trends in the economic, social and cultural development of the county. |
| May - December 2001 |
Eight Working Groups, involving over 130 individuals and organisations were set up to examine, in detail, each of the Key Themes of the Strategy. These Working Groups continued to meet until December 2001 and put forward the vision, goals, objectives and actions for each of the Key Themes. |
| June 2001 | ‘Shaping the Future of Kildare’ Conference brought a wide range of stakeholders together to work on defining a Shared Vision for Kildare. |
| October 2001 | Area consultation meetings were held in each of the six Local Electoral Areas to ensure that local issues were considered in the Strategy. |
| October - November 2001 |
Discussions were held with each of Kildare County Council six Local Electoral Area Committees regarding local issues in the Strategy. |
| November 2001 |
‘Kids Count’, a consultation day with the children of the county, brought over 100 children, aged between 8 and 14, together to let the County Development Board know what they want for the future. |
| January 2002 |
Consultation with Town Councils took place to ensure the needs of urban areas were included in the Strategy. Consultation took place with relevant agencies regarding commitment to, and implementation of, actions in the Strategy. |
| February 200 | KCDB signed off on Strategy. Kildare County Council endorsed the Strategy. |
| Ongoing throughout the consultation process |
Various presentations to meetings, together attended by over 1,000 people, were given by the Director of Community & Enterprise to promote KCDB and its Strategy Cross-border relationships to discuss best practice and share experience were built with South Lanarkshire Council, Scotland and Isle of Anglesey County Council, Wales, areas which were also under going a Community Planning process |
