Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) provide the elected members with an opportunity for an early and more in-depth input into the Councils policy development process in partnership with various sectoral, local development and community interests.
Donegal County Council has established five SPCs reflecting the key functional areas of the Council:
- Housing
- Roads and Transportation
- Planning and Economic Development
- Water, Environment and Emergency
- Community, Culture and Corporate
Each elected member serves on at least one SPC. Two thirds of the membership of SPCs is made up of elected members (County Council or Town Council), with the remainder consisting of representatives of ‘sectoral interests’ - comprising community, business, trade union, farming, development and environmental interests.
The SPCs provide members (elected and sectoral) with the opportunity to develop a greater role in the strategic development of the Council, however, the final decision remains with the full elected Council.
The Corporate Policy Group
The chairpersons of each SPC and the Cathaoirleach of the County Council make up the Corporate Policy Group (CPG). The County Manager also participates and supports the work of the CPG.
The role of the CPG is a strategic one. It is intended to link and co-ordinate the work of the different SPCs; and to provide a forum where policy positions affecting the whole council can be discussed and agreed for submission to the full council. The CPG gives an increased focus to the policy role of councillors and enhances the democratic overview of council affairs. The manager in the preparation of both the Corporate Plan and the draft local authority budget must consult the CPG. Its members represent the Elected Council on the County Development Board.