The Cork County Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) was launched on Tuesday by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Seamus McGrath who said the LECP is a document that proves what can be achieved when we work as a collective, through both public and private sectors.
“It sets out our successes to date together with a framework for future success and productivity,” he said.
The Cork County LECP describes how different strands of local economic, social and community development will be brought together in order to best serve local areas. The Cork County LECP is the first step in this process and sets out to develop a Future Cork, a Cork which is reflective of an ambitious, inclusive and modern society.
Senior Executive Planner with Cork County Council Pio Condon, also highlighted the significant input across the Cork community with over 2000 engagements made throughout the creation of the Cork County LECP.
“These engagements, through all the various stakeholders, provided fantastic direction which were key to the plan we have today. However, the LECP is a conversation and one which will continue to evolve and develop as required by the people of Cork County,” he said.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey, said it is the people of Cork who will ensure the future success of Cork. He said the Cork metropolitan area has been proven to be ‘the most productive region in this country, ahead of Dublin and even London’.
“This is due to the quality of life, people and assets we hold. Cork County Council is evolving as an organisation and is taking a greater role in economic and community development, all of which are reflected in this plan,” he stressed.
The LECP is an ambitious document but is ultimately simple in its core aim. It sets out to fulfil the ambitions of Cork County through the creation of positive opportunities and places.
Mayor McGrath stated that the Cork County LECP is the result of more than 12 months of work and shows both ‘the power and strength of a partnership approach’.
The County Mayor went on: “The LECP is aimed at everyone and seeks to provide opportunity to all communities by harnessing our key community, social and economic raw material. The LECP creates a vision for Cork. The Plan identifies 30 key assets, assets already in our communities, around which personal, social and economic opportunities can be encouraged, and through management, will enhance the quality of life and community well being for all.”
