Strategic Policy Committees

Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) are structured around the main functions of council. They are made up of elected councillors and other representatives of the social partners and other sectoral interests. Each SPC will be chaired by an elected councillor and will be supported by a director of service. The task of the SPC is to assist and advise the council in the formulation, development and review of policy. The SPCs will not be concerned with individual representational or operational issues. Final policy decisions, however, will ultimately rest with the full council acting as a body. There are currently four SPCs in Clare County Council.

Rural Development SPC
Economic Development SPC
Physical Development SPC
Social Development SPC

Rural Development SPC

This SPC will be responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council's town and village enhancement, community, information and communications technology functions.

The Acting Director of Service for Rural Development is Mr. Leonard Cleary and the members of the SPC are as follows:-

Cllr. Pat Hayes, Chaiperson
Cllr. Bill Chambers
Cllr. Pat Daly
Cllr. Michael Begley
Cllr. Mike McKee
Cllr. Mary Howard
Cllr. John Crowe
Patrick Kwara, Business/Commercial
Liam Williams, Agriculture/Farming
Anny Wise, Environment/Conservation
Eric Shaw, Community/Voluntary (Clarecastle)
Jean Tierney, Social Inclusion (Clare Youth Service)

Economic Development SPC

This SPC will be responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council's employment, tourism and planning functions.

The A/Director of Service for Economic Development is Mr. Brian McCarthy and the members of the SPC are as follows:-

Cllr. Richard Nagle, Chairperson
Cllr. Pat McMahon
Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy
Cllr. PJ Ryan
Cllr. Ian Lynch
Cllr. Johnny Flynn
Cllr. Gabriel Keating
William Hanrahan, Agriculture/Farming
Theresa O'Donohue, Environment/Conservation
Pat Morris, Development/Construction
Dympna O'Callaghan, Business/Commercial
Seamus Ryan, Trade Unions

Physical Development SPC

This SPC will be responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council's roads, water, environment, fire and major emergency management functions.

The Director of Service for Physical Development is Ms. Anne Haugh and the members of the SPC are as follows:-

Cllr. Joe Cooney, Chairperson
Cllr. Cathal Crowe
Cllr. Michael Hillery
Cllr. Alan O'Callaghan
Cllr. Bill Slattery
Cllr. James Breen
Cllr. Christy Curtin
Martin McMahon, Agriculture/Farming
Andrew St. Ledger, Environment/Conservation
Joe Corbett, Development/Construction
John Higgins, Community/Voluntary
Damon Wise, Social Inclusion

Social Development SPC

This SPC will be responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council's housing, estate management, culture and sport functions.

The Director of Service for Social Development is Mr. Liam Conneally and the members of the SPC are as follows:-

Cllr. Gerry Flynn, Chairperson
Cllr. PJ Kelly
Cllr. Tom McNamara
Cllr. Tony O'Brien
Cllr. Paul Murphy
Cllr. Pat Burke
Cllr. Ann Norton
Richard Woods, Development/Construction
Patrick Keogh, Business/Commercial
Thomas Guilfoyle, Trade Unions
Geraldine Hetherton, Community/Voluntary
Dermot Hayes, Social Inclusion