Young people in County Louth are to have a say in the running of the county following the adoption of the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) Scheme 2024-2029 at the council’s monthly meeting on Monday of this week.
In a first for Louth, the new scheme will allow the voice of young people from across the county to be heard at Strategic Policy Committee level, with seats available on the Climate Action and Sustainability SPC for representatives from Louth Comhairle na nÓg and Macra na Feirme.
Strategic Policy Committees have a vital role. They are committees of the council, providing important advice and assistance to the local authority in the formulation, development and review of policy.
There are five SPCs in Louth, responsible for: Economic Development and Enterprise Supports, Strategic Planning, Community and Placemaking, Social Development, Climate Action and Sustainability.
Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) are structured around the main functions of a Local Authority. While their remit is based on the main local government services, they operate in the context of the wider local picture, considering related public services and agencies and of local needs and circumstances.
SPC members will be drawn from a range of agreed sectors such as Agriculture/Farming, Development/Construction, Business/Commercial, Trade Union, Community/Voluntary, Social Inclusion, and Environmental/Conservation.
Following adoption of the SPC Scheme, nominations for membership of the committees are being sought from these sectors to ensure vital knowledge and experience supports decision making. These nominations will be brought before the next meeting of Louth County Council for consideration and approval.
The first meetings of the new Strategic Policy Committees are set to take place in December 2024, and meetings will then be held four times per year during the lifespan of the current council.
Louth County Council will provide ongoing training and support for members of the SPCs to support them in their work.
