Funding of €250k is to be provided for a new pilot community safety partnership scheme in Longford
County Councillors were given more details about the scheme by officials from the Department of Justice at the January meeting of the local authority
The partnership in Longford is one of three launched by the government in an effort to develop more co-ordination and co-operation between various state agencies, communities and local authorities around policing and social issues.
It's expected the membership of the pilot will be set at 30 people across areas such as business, community activists and elected Councillors, and will also include state agencies such as gardai, Tusla, the HSE, and the County Council executive.
However, this may be smaller depending on the necessary bodies which require representation.
The government is to provide funding of 250k over the two-year lifespan of the pilot - which will also include the employment of a partnership co-ordinator as well as providing money for some social projects and a local needs assessment.
Councillors expressed concern that the prosed chair of the body will be independent but this was clarified that this will only be for the duration of the pilot and they will take on a CEO role - with the position being filled through an election from the membership once the body becomes permanent.
The pilot is only like to take shape this year with outreach and engagement the first task when a chair is appointed.
