County Mayor column: Jump headfirst into initiatives for your area this springtime

SPRING is here! I hope everyone is feeling fresh and revitalised after the winter months and we begin the countdown to Easter.

Spring is a time to look forward to brighter days, warmer weather, new growth on the land, and the birth of farm animals.

I would like to talk about several exciting initiatives that I am encouraging the people of Cork to take advantage of in this week’s column.

The first initiative I would like to discuss is the Creative Startup Scheme 2024.

The scheme supports artists, designers, and craftspeople in establishing retail spaces and reinforcing the council’s work in revitalising commercial centres in towns and villages.

This fund will provide a welcome boost for successful projects and will help to stimulate creative activity throughout the county.

Over the past four years, the scheme has supported the establishment of several creative retail spaces, including Blackwater Vally Makers, in Fermoy; Owenabue Artist Collective, in Carrigaline; Le Chéile Arts, in Dunmanway, and Orla O’Visual, in Mallow.

Creative businesses have the potential to breathe new life into our towns and villages, establishing them as destinations, and setting them apart with individuality.

This scheme makes it financially viable for aspiring creative entrepreneurs to start up.

Local enhancement programme

Another great initiative to get involved in is the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024.

Community and voluntary groups can apply for funding under this programme and the Women’s Groups Fund for 2024.

Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the €254,559 LEP capital-only fund will help groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with funding for small-scale capital projects — such as improvements to their facilities and purchase of equipment.

Community and voluntary groups have an incredibly positive impact in every corner of our county.

Funding such as this will help to bolster these efforts, shaping the future of our towns and villages with impactful projects.

I am encouraging groups to consider making an application to avail of this opportunity, and to those long-awaited plans into a reality.

Seven contracts signed 

I am also excited to announce that seven contracts for the county of Cork have been signed under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, providing €13.9m in funding to aid deprived and marginalised communities.

Sicap (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) 2024-2028 will provide national funding for local actions that tackle social exclusion.

Through our three Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and six Local Development Companies, this programme will support those who are most disadvantaged and excluded in society — using a community development approach to create more sustainable communities.

The council is reminding householders this year to consider air quality and use only approved fuels.

Did you know that solid fuel use is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in our homes?

With one in 10 householders in Cork burning solid fuel as their main source of heating, Cork County Council is reminding householders that only approved fuels should be used and to always check the labelling on all solid fuel that they buy.

Approved fuel packaging should state “Contents comply with the Air Pollution Act regulations” and display the producer’s EPA registration number.

Lastly, the council is inviting the public to have their say on early-stage plans for two new greenway projects in Cork.

Public consultations for both the Skibbereen sections of the West Cork greenway and the Cork to Kinsale greenway are now open for submissions.

Both projects are at the concept and feasibility stage, which involves the development of the study area, investigating the constraints within the study area to examine the feasibility of the project, and optioneering of the proposed route.

The projects are funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Greenway Programme, and will follow the code of best practice.