b'LCEPKildare County CouncilLocal Community DevelopmentCommittee (LCDC) The purpose of the LCDC is to drive positive Economicdevelopment of our community and integrate key stakeholders, whilst ensuring effectiveness,Element Communiy consistency, co-ordination and avoidance of (SPC for EconomicElementduplication between the various elements of localEnterprise and (LCDC)authority activities in the community. In this Planning)regard the LCDC has oversight andresponsibility for local development andcommunity related funding in the County.The LCDC sets out its objectives and goals ina 6-year plan called the Local Economic andCommunity Plan (LECP). The LECP is considered by the Municipal District Elected Members and approved by the Full Council and while it informsa range of planning policies in the CountyDevelopment Plan, it is not a spatial plan. The LECP must be consistent with regional spatial andLocal Enterprise Office (LEO)economic strategies.The Local Enterprise Office a one stop shop for business support within Kildare County Council. The community element of the plan is prepared byThere are 31 LEOs across the country1 in each the LCDC, with the economic element preparedCouncil Area. The LEO offers expertise, know-how by the Strategic Policy Committee for Economicand financial support to businesses whether they Development, Enterprise and Planning. Both are starting out or expanding a business.elements are prepared concurrently. Customers range from people interested inThe membership of the LCDC includes: starting up a new business or those already in business. The LEO helps to increase the jobpotential of new and existing micro and smallElected Members of the local authority, businesses and to increase the number ofinnovative businesses with potential to export. Local authority staff, Operationally the LEO is also a key driver behind Representatives of public bodies whichmany of the actions of the LECP. More information provide services in the area; is here.Representatives of local community interests;Local community representatives from the PPN; andRepresentatives of publicly funded or supported local development bodies.Public Participation Network (PPN) Our democracy is made stronger by allowingEstablished in 2014, Kildares 19-person diverse views and interests to be consideredmembership includes nine statutory and tenin the decision-making processes of localnon-statutory members who meet bi-monthly.government. PPNs give citizens a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities. PPNs exist in each county tofacilitate public consultation and publicparticipation in policy and decision making. 8'