PUBLICATIONS OF LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC

Annual Financial Statement:

Laois County Council must publish an Annual Financial Statement within twelve weeks of the end of the calendar year. Prior to an audit of accounts by the Local Government Auditor, a notice is published advising the public of opportunities to examine the accounts of Laois County Council within a specified period. Copies of the Annual Financial Statement are available at a nominal fee.

Estimate of expenses:

There is a requirement that all Local Authorities must hold an Annual Budget Meeting each year. Notice of the intention to hold the meeting to consider the Budget is published in the press not less than seven days before the meeting is held. Copies of the Budget may be inspected or purchased by any member of the public.

Annual Report:

Not later than 30th June each year, Laois County Council is required to publish and adopt an Annual Report. This report lists the activities of the Council in the previous year. The publication is available in both Irish and English and on request from the Corporate Services Department.

Rate Books:

The Rate Books for County Laois are open for inspection for a 14 day period prior to the making of the Rate each year.

• These books show the Rateable Valuations of properties, the Rate in the Pound and the proposed changes in the Rate Books.

• The books may be inspected at Áras an Chontae during the specified period.

• Details of the availability of this information for public inspection and the relevant dates are published in the press.

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The Freedom of Information Acts are designed to allow Public access to information which is NOT routinely available through other sources. Access to information under the Freedom of Information Acts is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedure and time limits.

THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL

The County of Laois is very strategically located in Ireland. It has a population of 53,000. Portlaoise is the principal town and is the administrative centre of Co. Laois. It is home to several major enterprises including the regional headquarters of Telecom Eireann, the E.S.B. and it’s international training school.

The County boasts a diversity of attractions and activities, from the ancient Round Tower of Timahoe, to the elegant magnificence of Emo Court and the wild and lovely isolation of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

Laois County Council was established under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 and held it’s first meeting in Portlaoise Courthouse in April, 1899. It celebrated it’s centenary in 1999. The Council consists of twenty five elected members representing the five Local Electoral areas of Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Luggacurran, Borris-in-Ossory and Emo.

Laois County Council, as the Local Authority for County Laois, provides an extensive range of infrastructural and administrative services and plays an active role in the development of the county’s industrial, business, social, arts, heritage and cultural affairs. It also functions as the regulatory body for a range of matters at local level.

Local Authorities perform both a representational and an operational role. This is a reflection of the fact that the Irish system of Local Government encompasses both democratic representation and public administration.

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REPRESENTATIONAL ROLE

The representational role is performed directly by the elected members of the Council. Members of the Council are elected according to the system of proportional representation for a period of five years. The elected members are the governing body of the County Council.

The Chairperson known as The Cathaoirleach is elected from the membership of the Council, at the statutory Annual General Meeting of the Council, which is held in either May or June of each year.

The wide range of functions performed by the elected representatives are called “Reserved Functions”. The elected representatives and lay down the framework of policy under which the County Manager operates.

The “Reserved Functions” include:

• The adoption of the Annual Budget. • The making or varying of the County Development Plan (6 yearly). • The adoption of a Scheme of Letting Priorities for Local Authority Housing. • The making, amending and revoking of Bye-Laws. • The approving of the borrowing of money by the Local Authority.

The Council makes its decisions by “Resolution” at its meetings, which are usually held on the last Monday of the month.

OPERATIONAL ROLE

The operational role of Laois County Council is performed by the County Manager and the employees of the Council. They are responsible for the day to day administration of the Council, in accordance with the law and the policies determined by the elected members. The functions carried out by the County Manager are called “Executive Functions”.

These functions include:

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• The letting of houses. • The granting or refusing of applications seeking Planning Permissions. • Matters relating to the employees of the Local Authority.

The County Manager makes his decisions by written “Managers Order”. A Register of the Manager’s Orders is maintained by the Council as required by law. Managers Orders made in the previous month are available for inspection by the Elected Members prior to the monthly Council Meeting.

The County Manager in making his decisions, must act in a way that is consistent with the policy which has been established by the elected members.

Services are provided by Laois County Council under the following broad range of activities which are standard to all Local Authorities.

¾ HOUSING INCLUDING HOUSE BUILDING & ESTATE MANAGEMENT

¾ ROADS ,TRANSPORTATION & SAFETY

¾ WATER SUPPLY & SEWERAGE

¾ PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

¾ ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

¾ RECREATION & AMENITY

¾ AGRICULTURE , EDUCATION, HEALTH & WELFARE

¾ MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

FUNDING FOR SERVICES

The Expenditure of Laois County Council on the provision of its services can be classified under two headings.

4 Revenue (or Current) Expenditure - i.e. the day to day provision of services e.g. housing maintenance, roads maintenance etc.

The main sources of funding for this expenditure are:

• Government Grants and Subsidies.

• Commercial Rates.

• Goods and Services (e.g. Housing Rents, Housing Loan repayments, fees and charges for services etc.).

Capital Expenditure - i.e. expenditure on creating assets e.g. house building, major road improvement works etc.

The main sources of funding for this expenditure are:

• Capital Grants from Central Government.

• Borrowing.

• Other Capital Receipts e.g. Sale of Lands or other assets.

HOW THE OPERATIONS OF THE COUNCIL ARE REGULATED

The operations of Local Authorities are regulated by

• EU Directives.

• National Legislation.

• Local Legislation i.e. Bye-Laws.

• Adopted Policies of the Council.

In addition a range of rules, procedures, and guidelines are used by the Local Authority in making its decisions, determinations and recommendations under the many schemes operated by it.

A full list of these items is produced in accordance with Section 16 of The Freedom of Information Act, 1997.

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All of the Council’s activities are subject to the law. Rights of Appeal are specifically identified in relation to many of the Council’s powers and duties and in relation to many of the services provided by it. Decisions of the Council in relation to the Freedom of Information Act are subject to internal review and also to review by the Information Commissioner.

Format of records held :

Laois County Council holds a wide variety of records in various formats.

These include:

• Computerised Data - held in a variety of formats. • Computer print-out. • Paper records. This includes all types of forms, reports, maps, drawings etc., • Ledgers and Registers. • Microfilm - Some data is archived on microfilm, particularly where large volumes of paper cause storage problems. • Microfiche.

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LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Borris-in-Ossory Electoral Area

LALOR Michael, Cardtown, Camross. F.G. DELANEY Bill, Knockbrack, Pike of Rushall. F.F. FENNELLY John Joe, Ballymullen, Abbeyleix. F.F. PHELAN Brendan, Glebe House, Donaghmore F.F. PHELAN Martin, Farren Eglish, Ballacolla F.G. KAVANAGH Larry, Rushin, Mountrath Labour BONHAM John, The Courtyard, Dunmore, Durrow. F.G.

Emo Electoral Area

CRIBBIN Raymond, Main Street, Portarlington F.F. DEEGAN James, Dysart, Stradbally F.G. TURLEY John D., Vicarstown, Stradbally. Non-Party MITCHELL Paul, Lea Road, Portarlington. P.D.

Luggagurren Electoral Area

RICE Michael, Monavea, Mayo, Crettyard. F.F. DALY James, Garryglass, Timahoe F.G. MORAN John, Ballinagar, Ballylinan, Athy F.G. MILLER Dick, Raheenduff, Timahoe F.F.

Portlaoise Electoral Area

AIRD William, Nutgrove, Portlaoise F.G. STANLEY Brian, 53 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise Sinn Fein JACOB Thomas, Ard na Greine, Glenside, Portlaoise. Non-Party SWEENEY Mary, Ballyroan, Portlaoise F.G. FITZGERALD Catherine, 44, Cherrygarth, Portlaoise. F.F. LODGE Jeremiah, Ridge Road, Portlaoise F.F.

Mountmellick Electoral Area

MOLONEY Michael, Cappakeel, Emo. F.F. GOODWIN David, Tineel, Rosenallis F.G. Mc DONALD Seamus, Drummond, Rosenallis F.F. BRACKEN Patrick, Garoon, Mountmellick F.F.

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Election to the Council

The conduct of elections is governed by the Electoral Acts, the Local Government Act, 2001 and the Local Elections Regulations.

The most recent Local Election for membership of local authorities took place in June 2004. The next Local Elections are scheduled to be held in 2009. Polling in Local Elections takes place throughout the country on the same day. The exact date for the holding of Local Elections is determined by Ministerial Order.

Election to the Council is by proportional representation. Casual Vacancies in membership, caused by death, resignation etc., are filled by the Co-option of a new member onto the Council by the remaining members.

Laois County Council is divided into five Local Electoral Areas as follows, Borris-in-Ossory, Emo, Luggacurren, Portlaoise and Mountmellick.

Who is entitled to vote in a Local Election?

All persons over the age of 18 whether or not they are Irish citizens are entitled to vote at Local Elections, so long as they are registered to vote. The Council is responsible for the compilation of the Register of Electors.

Nomination of candidates:

Any person who is eligible to vote may contest a Local Election. A candidate for a Local Election may nominate him/herself for election. Nominations may also be made by any elector, who is on the Register of Electors for the Electoral Area to which the nomination is made, but the candidate must give his consent to the nomination.

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The Election:

In relation to Local Elections an Official of the Council fulfills the role of the Local Returning Officer. That Official is responsible for the conduct of the election and for declaration of the results.

When nominations are completed the Returning Officer makes arrangements for the holding of the election including the appointment of the necessary staff and having the ballot papers prepared etc.

The local authority is responsible for drawing up a “Polling Scheme” for the Electoral Areas. The scheme specifies the locality in which the Polling Stations that will be used in the event of an election or a referendum being conducted will be located. Persons that wish to cast their vote in person must attend at the nominated Polling Station in order to cast their vote. The making of a Polling Scheme is a “Reserved Function” of the Council.

Meetings of the Council

Laois County Council is required by law to hold an Annual Meeting, quarterly meetings and a Budget Meeting each year. However, to efficiently conduct the business of the Council it meets on a much more regular basis than this.

• A Monthly meeting of Laois County Council generally takes place on the last Monday of every month (except in the month of August). Meetings are generally scheduled for 11.00 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise.

• The Annual Meeting, at which the election of the Chairperson takes place, is held in May or June each year.

• The Budget meeting is held to consider the Budget for the subsequent year. This meeting generally takes place in December each year.

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• Special meetings of the Council may also be held for a variety of reasons.

• The Cathhaoirleach can call a meeting of the Council at any time. Any five members of the Council may also call a meeting of the Council if the Cathaoirleach, after requisition by the five members, does not call a meeting within seven days.

A set of rules called “Standing Orders” are made by the Council to regulate the proceedings at Meetings of the Council. The Standing Orders deal with items such as the issuing of notice of the intention to hold a meeting of the Council, the order of business at Council meetings, voting procedures etc.

The Cathaoirleach chairs Council Meetings and has a casting vote, which he/she may use at his/her own discretion in the case of an equality of votes, with the exception of a vote on the election of a Cathaoirleach.

Written “Minutes” of decisions taken at meetings of the Council and the resolutions passed at such meetings are prepared. These minutes are circulated to the members of the Council in advance of the holding of the next meeting of the Council. When they have been considered and agreed as being an accurate reflection of the meeting they are signed by the Cathaoirleach and certified by the Director of Service with responsibility for Corporate Affairs.

Attendance at meetings:

The County Manager has a right to attend Council Meetings and to take part in discussions as if he/she is a member but he/she does not have a right to vote. Other Council employees attend as required.

Members of the public are permitted to attend Council meetings. The press can and do attend Council meetings.

Meetings of the Council may be held in the absence of the public and the press in certain circumstances. Such meetings are referred to as “In Committee Meetings”.

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Members Expenses:

Members of the Council are paid an annual allowance in respect of telephone, postage and other expenses associated with their role together with traveling expenses and subsistence expenses in respect of attendance at meetings. The Cathaoirleach of the Council is paid an annual allowance in recognition of the additional responsibilities that are associated with that position.

Members are also paid expenses for attendance at conferences and seminars on issues relating to their role.

RECORDS

Expense Payments

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES

The Programme for Better Local Government launched by the Minister for Environment and Local Government in 1999 required the establishment of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) mirroring the major functions of the local authorities. A formal proposal was placed before Laois County Council at their meeting held on the 29th June 1998, recommending the establishment of four Strategic Policy Committees for County Laois. That proposal was adopted and the SPCs were established subsequently. The Committees are representative of the Council and other Local Authorities in County Laois. The Strategic Policy Committees are also representative of the Social Partners, Community and Voluntary Groups and relevant interests at local level. The following list outlines the focus of interest of each SPC.

¾ Economic Development and County Promotion Policy. ¾ Environment and Water Services Policy. ¾ Planning and Transportation Policy. ¾ Housing, Social and Cultural Policy.

The following are memberships of the four SPC’s as they exist in County Laois at July 1st 2005.:-

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ECONOMIC, DEVELOPMENT AND COUNTY PROMOTION POLICY COMMITTEE

James Deegan M.C.C. Chairperson John Bonham M.C.C. Martin Phelan M.C.C. Paul Mitchell, M.C.C. Tom Jacob, M.C.C. Michael Moloney M.C.C. Brendan Phelan M.C.C. Rotimi Adebari T.C. John Finlay, (Agriculture/Farming) Eddie Phelan, (Community/Voluntary/Disadvantaged) Margaret Ryan, (Chamber of Commerce) Billy Moylan, (S.I.P.T.U.)

The Director of Service with responsibility for Economic Development and County Promotion Policy is Mr. Louis Brennan.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE

Mary Sweeney M.C.C. Chairperson James Daly M.C.C. John Moran M.C.C. Ray Cribbin M.C.C. William Delaney M.C.C. Dick Miller M.C.C. Michael Gormley T.C. Donald Scully, (Agriculture/Farming) John Cummins (Business/Commercial) Ger Lynch, (Environmental/Conservation/Cultural) Christy Mooney (Trade Union)

The Director of Service with responsibility for Environment and Community is Mr. John Daly.

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PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE

John Joe Fennelly M.C.C. Chairperson David Goodwin M.C.C. Michael Lalor M.C.C. John D. Turley M.C.C. Michael Rice M.C.C. Gerry Lodge M.C.C. Jack Nolan T.C. Martin Keane, (Agriculture/Farming) Brian Bonham (Community/Voluntary/Disadvantaged) John Keyes (Chamber of Commerce) John Kelly (Trade Union)

The Director of Service with responsibility for Planning and Transportation Policy is Mr. Gerry Gibson.

HOUSING, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL POLICY COMMITTEE

Brian Stanley M.C.C. Chairperson William Aird, M.C.C. Larry Kavanagh M.C.C. Paddy Bracken M.C.C. Seamus McDonald M.C.C. Catherine Fitzgerald M.C.C. Marc Connolly T.C. Mary Wheatley, (Community/Voluntary/Disadvantaged) Mick Dowling, (Environment/Conservation/Cultural) Pat Culleton, (Development/Construction) John Grace, (Chamber of Commerce)

The Director of Service with responsibility for Housing, Social and Cultural Policy is Mr. Declan Byrne.

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Location of Offices and Services

Laois County Council, Central Area Office, Áras an Chontae, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0502) 64000 Telephone: (0502) 64168 Fax: (0502) 22313 Fax: (0502) 60135

Western Area Office, Eastern Area Office, Courthouse, Courthouse, Borris-in-Ossory, Stradbally, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0505) 41123 Telephone: (0502) 25227 Fax: (0505) 41188 Fax: (0502) 25227

Laboratory, National Roads Project Office, Mountrath Road, Clonboyne, Portlaoise, Portlaoisee, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0502) 64164 Telephone: (0502) 64850 Fax: (0502) 63502 Fax: (0502) 64858

Machinery Yard, Housing Repairs, Clonboyne, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0502) 21148 Telephone: (0502) 22177 Fax: (0502) 21148 Fax: (0502) 60135

Dog Warden, Landfill Site, The Red House, Kyletalisha, Ballacolla, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0502) 34067 Telephone: (0502) 20653 Mobile: (086) 2556298 Fax: (0502) 60858

Civil Defence HQ Sports & Leisure Office, Áras an Chontae, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0502) 64000 Telephone: (0502) 64007 Fax: (0502) 25058 Fax: (0502) 22313

Library Headquarters, Arts Office, Block 2, Block 2, Áras an Chontae, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Co. Laois. Telephone: (0502) 74315 Telephone: (0502) 74342 Fax: (0502) 74381 Fax: (0502) 74382

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Register of Electors

Every resident of County Laois who has reached the age of 18 years of age on or before 15th February is entitled to have their name included on the Register of Electors in force for that year. A person must be ordinarily resident at the address in question on 1st September of the previous year. A person’s voting rights depend on his/her citizenship. A citizen of Ireland is entitled to be registered for all elections and referenda. A British citizen is entitled to be registered for Dail elections, European Parliament elections and local government elections. A citizen of an EU country (other than Ireland and UK) may be registered for European Parliament and local government elections and a citizen of a non-EU country may be registered for local government elections only.

The Register of Electors for County Laois is prepared each year by Laois County Council. A Draft Register of Electors, printed on pink paper, is published for 1st November each year based on information gathered from house to house inquiries and from application forms completed by householders. A copy of the part of the Draft Register of Electors for each local area is provided for examination in post offices, Garda stations, libraries and local authority offices. Any person who wishes to make a claim for a correction in the Draft Register of Electors may do so by completing an application form (Form RFA1) and sending it to the County Council offices by 25th November.

On 30th November a copy of the List of Claims for corrections that have been received is sent to each post office, Garda station, public library and local authority office. Claims in relation to entries in the Draft Register of Electors are considered and ruled upon by the County Registrar in December each year.

The Register of Electors is published on 1st February, comes into force on 15th February and is used at each election and referendum held during the following 12 months.

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Persons who are entitled to be registered to vote but whose names are not included in the Register of Electors may apply to be included in a Supplement to the Register of Electors. If their name is included in the Supplement to the Register of Electors it will enable them to vote at polls held subsequently. To be included in the Supplement to the Register of Electors, a person must be 18 years old and be ordinarily resident at the address of application for registration, and should not be registered at any other address. The arrangements in relation to the compilation of the Supplement to the Register of Electors are advertised in the newspapers and local radio when it is agreed that a poll will be held.

Electors with physical disabilities who are unable to attend a Polling Station, who are ordinarily resident in a hospital or in a home or similar institution may be entered in the Special Voters List. Electors with physical disabilities who are ordinarily resident at home may apply for entry in the Postal Voters List and may vote by post. An elector may apply to be entered in the Postal Voters List if he/she is likely to be unable to attend in person at a Polling Station because of the circumstances of occupation, service, or employment.

Records

Annual Register of Electors. Applications and determinations made in respect of them.

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