Co. Wicklow Local Development Committee (LCDC)
The LCDC was set up in compliance with the Local Government Act 2014. It has a number of statutory functions which include:
- Co-ordinate, in a general way, local and community development activity within Co Wicklow for the purposes of reducing overlap, avoiding duplication and improving the targeting of resources.
- Prepare, implement and monitor the community elements of the six-year local economic and community plan (the plan). It must consider the economic elements of the plan in order to enhance co-ordination with the community elements and ultimately integrate the two elements but it does not have a role in deciding on the economic elements.
- Co-ordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of local and community development programmes as part of implementing the plan. This includes the following:
- Be responsible for national funding programmes at local level. In 2015-2017 the implementation of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) will support local strategies for communities and individuals. It will identify and address social inclusions issues, promote access to life-long learning, employment and social enterprise.
- Facilitate the LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme (2015-2020) to support sustainable economic development projects for rural communities ranging from tourism, agri-food and other business activities.
- Any other funding streams that become available.
Our PPN Representatives (LCDC)
Jim Ruttle
Community & Voluntary College Representative to the LCDC
Hollywood Community Forum was founded in 2016 with Jim Ruttle as the first chairman.
Jim is a retired public representative serving the people of West Wicklow and county.
Married with two adult children, a farmer and former Dept of Agriculture official.
Jim has served on several county and local committees over the years; he has built up a broad understanding of local and county issues along with a high level of expertise to enable him to bring an informed, mature and understanding voice to the LCDC .
Philip W Beck
Social Inclusion College Representative to the LCDC
Philip is a Volunteer Information Provider with Bray Citizens Information Centre since November 2018 where he provides an information, advice and advocacy service to the public on a range of their civil and social rights and entitlements with a strong focus on social inclusion and combatting marginalisation. Philip worked for decades in senior roles in the sustainability, telecommunications and software engineering industries. Lifelong interest in all aspects of sustainability, both environmental and community development.
MSc degrees in sustainable development (DIT) & computer science (TCD). Member of Engineers Ireland, Irish Green Building Council, Institute of International and European Affairs, Biodiversity Bray. Project manager for establishment of a community native-species woodland in Co Meath. Facilitating corporate sponsorship of native woodland establishment in Co Wicklow as a Forest Service approved Natural Capital Facilitator.
Frank Quaid
Social Inclusion College Representative to the LCDC
Frank has been a member of the PPN for a number of years and has represented the organisation as a director of Ring A Link the Local bus operators. He has also served on the Committee of the Wicklow Older Peoples Alliance and as a director of Active Retirement Network Ireland and worked on behalf of the local Baltinglass Community Forum of which he is currently Chairperson. He has attended the National Conventions of the Older Peoplesâ Council for the last number of years.
Jason Mulhall
Environmental College Representative to the LCDC
Jason has been volunteering and getting involved in the local community sector for the last 15 years and is a current member of the West Wicklow Environmental Network (WWEN), the Blessington and District Forum (Secretary), Blessington Tidy Towns (Chairperson), the Blessington Sustainable Energy Community (SEC)Â Group and the Blessington Access Group (a partnership with DFI). In 2019 Jason was recognised nationally for his involvement in Tidy Towns when he was named Overall Winner of the National Tidy Towns Community Hero Award for Ireland. Jason has worked in the IT Sector since 1998 and currently lives in Blessington but originally hails from the village of Coolboy in South Wicklow.
Tom Byrne
Tom Byrne is a farmer from Kilpipe Co Wicklow. He is a very active member of a large number of organisations and believes that local people must have the opportunities to participate in various local and national decision-making processes. Tom is currently the Chairman of Wicklow Uplands Council, which serves as the collective voice for the Wicklow Uplands. He also represents the uplands Council and is the treasurer on the Irish Uplands Forum, the national representative body for uplands areas. He is also the current Vice Chairman of Wicklow County IFA.