Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) holds inaugural meeting
On Monday, November 3rd, Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) held its inaugural meeting under the Policing, Security & Community Safety Act 2024.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD said, “I am extremely pleased that the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership has been established, and its first meeting has taken place. This marks another significant step on this government’s new approach to community safety. The next step for this Partnership is to review the implementation of its tailored community safety plan, developed during the Pilot phase.
“The National Office of Community Safety based in my department, will be on-hand to support the Partnership as it begins its important work. Bringing together local representatives, community groups and state agencies allows Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership to review that the plan has identified community safety needs in Waterford.”
The Waterford meeting was the second in the country under the Act, as Local Community Safety Partnerships are rolled out nationwide. Sean Aylward was elected Chairperson and Cllr. Lola O’Sullivan was elected Vice-Chairperson.
In addition to electing a Chairperson, facilitated by Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, the partnership adapted its Terms of Reference and Standing Orders by consensus after discussions.
The new members received updates on several ongoing projects including the Community Safety Wardens, Consent Matters Project, the Getting Kilcohan back on Track Projects, Safehubs Waterford and the Dungarvan Community Garden Project.
An update was also provided on the Waterford Community Safety Plan 2023 to 2028, and a working group was established to review it.
Incoming Chair, Sean Aylward stated in his address to the newly appointed Partnership that alongside “working with Vice Chair Cllr. O’ Sullivan, I have a deeply felt ambition to build up a really strong consensus driven Waterford Partnership, building on the strengths of local communities, the State agencies and local Government, who all work to make our city and county a safer, happier place to live and work.”
The next meeting was agreed for early January 2026, as part of a schedule that will see members meet a minimum of six times, including a public meeting scheduled for September.
