2015-2019 CORPORATE PLAN CONTENTS 1. WELCOME Foreword by Cathaoirleach - Michael FitzGerald 4 Foreword by Chief Executive - Joe MacGrath 5 2. ABOUT THE CORPORATE PLAN 2.1 What is the Corporate Plan? 7 2.2 Context of the Plan 8 2.3 Vision Statement 10 2.4 How Do We Work 12 3. VISION FOR TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL 3.1 Strong Economy 16 3.2 Quality of Life 18 3.3 Quality Environment 20 4. MONITORING & IMPLEMENTATION 22 APPENDICES Appendix 1: List of Elected Councillors by Municipal District 24 Appendix 2: List of Strategic Policy Committees & members 28 Appendix 3: Political & Management Organisational Structure 30 Appendix 4: Achievements 32 Page 4 Tipperary County Council • Corporate Plan 2015-2019 Foreword - Cathaoirleach Foreword - Chief Executive A significant The downturn in the economy This Corporate Plan The objectives of the Corporate Plan presented us with significant will be delivered by the Cathaoirleach milestone in the challenges, and the new council has serves as Tipperary and Councillors in conjunction with the adapted accordingly by reducing our Council’s staff and we will utilise all our history of Local cost base, becoming more efficient County Council’s resources to develop Tipperary as an Government in County and positioning Tipperary as ‘open for Strategic framework excellent place to live, work and invest. business’ as we return to economic Tipperary was marked vitality. There is therefore, a new for action during the We seek to produce a written in June 2014 when challenge to identify and support lifetime of this Council statement on what objectives we ideas and opportunities, to remain aim to achieve over the period of 10 local authorities as an outward looking county while and will act as the the plan, the supporting strategies maintaining our ability to be responsive adopted to achieve these aims and in Tipperary were to the needs of the people we serve. driver for economic the mechanisms for implementing, merged into one The Plan identifies how important it is development, social monitoring, review and adjustment. that staff, elected members, and our unified organisation citizens work to a common purpose inclusiveness and I am mindful of the unprecedented as Tipperary County and a shared vision; to generate a environmental challenging time for our County, strong economy, to provide quality therefore it is important for our Council. of life and to maintain an attractive sustainability objectives to be realistic, achievable environment for our communities. and focused on the needs of our within the County of customers. This Corporate Plan, covering the I am pleased to present this first Tipperary. period 2015 to 2019, provides a Corporate Plan for Tipperary County Joe MacGrath, framework for the delivery of services Council which provides a roadmap Chief Executive by Tipperary County Council over towards a positive future for Tipperary. We have all experienced significant the next five years. Tipperary, with a The success of the Plan will be change during 2014 with the population of nearly 160,000 has a enhanced and measured by the establishment of a unified Tipperary proud tradition with a strong national contribution that all stakeholders County Council and it is important that and international brand. The Plan make towards its delivery. we work together as a team to achieve seeks to build on our reputation the vision set out in this plan. This as one county, one council and one Cllr. Michael FitzGerald vision is based around 4 central cogs team working in collaboration with Cathaoirleach that underpin all our work, (namely all stakeholders to generate shared Tipperary as a brand; The Citizen; The solutions. Elected Member and Our Staff) and will act in unison to implement sustainable The Plan highlights what is important programs that improve the quality of to the people of Tipperary. The life for all people in Tipperary. challenge over the life of the Plan will be to achieve the aims and objectives As a Council, we are committed to an set out in the Corporate Plan while interagency approach to maximise continually monitoring outcomes to the effective delivery of services. This ensure that the vision is being achieved Council will support the business and remains relevant to the needs of community by working with other the people we serve. agencies to reduce the cost of doing business, encourage inward investment and facilitate employment through the newly established LEO’s. Tipperary County Council • Corporate Plan 2015-2019 2.1 What is the Corporate Plan? The purpose of our Corporate Plan will have separate plans that support is to describe the main priorities for the achievement of the aims of the Tipperary County Council during the Corporate Plan. The Corporate Plan 2. next five years, and to explain what that identifies the main priorities for the will mean in terms of benefits to our council as a whole during the next five communities. This Plan sets out a clear years. This means that these areas will vision for the kind of Tipperary we want receive additional focus and resources to see in the future and what we will do in order to ensure they are delivered as the County Council, together with all successfully. They have been identified stakeholders, to deliver that vision. as priorities for the council because ABOUT THE our research and engagement work It is important to note that our tells us that they are important to Corporate Plan does not cover our communities, and that we need CORPORATE everything that the council will do. We to do more in these areas to meet provide a wide range of services for the needs and expectations of those PLAN our communities, and each of these communities. Page 8 Tipperary County Council • Corporate Plan 2015-2019 2.2 Context of the Plan In July 2011 the government announced the establishment of a Economy unified county council in Tipperary. In June 2014 the unification of The ‘Premier County’, as Tipperary is known has a diverse economy North and South Tipperary, including the Borough/town council’s that includes: of Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel, Nenagh, Templemore, Thurles, Tipperary and the joint library committee came into effect following the local government elections. Geography With a geographical area of 4,282sq. • The superb fertile land provides • Tourism plays a significant role in km, and a population of 158,754 an ideal environment for food County Tipperary including; Lough Tipperary is the sixth largest of the production and a growing reputation Derg, Upland areas, Rock of Cashel, 32 counties by area and the eleventh around artisan foods; Cahir Castle and Swiss Cottage, and largest by population. The region is • The area around Clonmel is a venues such as Bru Boru Heritage part of the central plain of Ireland, but medi-pharma hub that includes Centre Cashel and Source Theatre in the diversified terrain contains several Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, Thurles; mountain ranges: the Knockmealdown, Suir Pharma, MSD, and Pinewood the Galtee, the Arra Hills and the Laboratories; • Existence of 3rd level Education Silvermine Mountains. The southern Facilities in Clonmel and Thurles portion of the county is drained by the • Manufacturing such as Bulmers, with proximate linkages to other River Suir; the northern by tributaries of Medite Ireland, Procter and Gamble, Colleges. the Shannon which widens into Lough Carey’s Glass and Lisheen mine, Derg. No part of the county touches Tipperary Natural Mineral Water; the coast. The centre is known as ‘the For example Golden Vale’, a rich pastoral stretch of • Small and medium size enterprises land in the Suir basin which extends are a key aspect of the counties The Plan, while recognising the into counties Limerick and Cork. diverse economy; • Tipperary is famous for its horse key role all these sectors play, breeding industry and is the home will seek to support all sources of many well know yards such as of sustainable employment. GEOGRAPHICAL AREA Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle For example, the Council, 4,282 sq.km training yard; in partnership with LIT, has POPULATION recently developed ‘Questum’ an adaptable space building to 158,754 support start up enterprises located at Tipperary Science and Business Park, Clonmel. The county is traversed by key national arterial routes such as M7, M8, N24, • Town centres play a significant as well as train lines from Dublin to role in providing retail and Cork and Limerick, and Waterford to financial services, recreation and Limerick. employment; Page 10 Tipperary County Council • Corporate Plan 2015-2019 The plan provides a vision for how we propose to deliver our services. 2.3 Vision Statement It includes the following symbiotic elements that work in unison: Tipperary Together - Ambitious for Citizen Elected Members Our staff We are ambitious for our residents and Working with elected members to give As a new and progressive local our communities, demanding of communities and we are demanding a stronger voice and civic leadership authority, staff will work to provide of ourselves as an organisation. The to the people of Tipperary on the a dynamic, flexible, quality-driven ourselves and working to a shared Council will seek to encourage residents issues that matter to them, not just organisation committed to achieving purpose to deliver prosperity to make a more active contribution to those issues we have a statutory excellent customer services. We their local areas, working with elected responsibility to deliver. will endeavour to work with all local across