Review & Monitoring Role

Reviewing and Monitoring the general welfare and development of the region including:

The physical, economic, social, demographic, infrastructural and environmental situation of the region, its development potential and the protection or improvement of its environmental, heritage, amenity and cultural resources (including arts facilities),
The programme, plans, policies, proposals and objectives of the Government and of Local Authorities, County Development Boards and other relevant public authorities,
The resources that are available, or are likely to be available, for the provision of public services and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective, and efficient use of such resources, and
The implications for other regions of the services of public authorities in or relation to its region. The ongoing review and monitoring tasks are undertaken effectively in a number of processes. The Authority has a Formal Review and Monitoring role in relation to:
1. National Development Plan
2. National Strategic Reference Framework
3. Inter-regional (National) Operational Programmes.
4. Border, Midlands and West Regional Operational Programme.

The Authority is assisted in this process through its EU Operational Committee. The EU Operational Committee meets quarterly, at least, to monitor all expenditure (both co-financed and non co-financed) under the NSRF and NDP. A formal Mid-Term Review is also required under the Structural Funds regulations. The Authority is represented on the Inter-Regional Operational Programme, Monitoring Committees at national level and the Cathaoirleach and Director also represent the Authority on the BMW Operational Programme Monitoring Committee. Tasks involved in the formal review and monitoring process include:

Preparation of agendas, minutes of meetings, documentation including annual reports, progress reports, discussions and policy papers, press releases, etc.
Engagement of consultancy (Mid-Term Review).
Holding seminars, workshops, joint-meetings on important issues of concern in the region.
Arranging consultations, presentations at meetings.
Liaising and providing input and feedback to and from National Operational Programme Monitoring Committees and the Monitoring Committee of BMW Operational Programme
Co-Ordination and Co-Operation with the BMW Regional Assembly.

The Authority is also involved in the Review and Monitoring of activity of relevance to the Authority and the Midland Region, which encompasses examination of activity outside the scope of the National Strategic Reference Framework and the National Development Plan. These include:

National Spatial Strategy and Regional Planning Guidelines
Directives, plans, programmes, policy papers, (Green & White Papers), Communications from the Commission etc., of the European Union.
Legislative proposals, plans, programmes, policies (Green & White Papers) discussions and consultative documents of Government.
Reports, statistics, research, etc., by national boards e.g., ESRI, NESC, Forfas, CPA, EPA, etc.
Plans, programmes of regional and local authorities and agencies.

Tasks involved in this regard include examination of the above activities:

To establish likely impact on region;
Formulate policy response if desired;
Further research of findings;
Liaise and communicate with local authorities and other agencies;
Ensure compatibility and consistency of local authority County Development Plans with the National Spatial Strategy; and
Regular progress reports to Operational Committees.

The Authority also reviews and monitors actions and activities internally. This involves the ongoing review and correction if necessary of the Authority\'s own plans and initiatives. Tasks involved include:

Regular progress reports to the Operational Committees;
Regular progress reports to the Authority;
Liaison with designated county manager and other county managers and chief executive officers; and
Assessment of the regional economic, social and environmental situation.