Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2001 Annual Report 2001 CONTENTS Clár 2 Cathaoirleach’s Statement Ráiteas an Chathaoirligh 4 County Manager’s Introduction Réamhrá an Bhainisteora 5 Mission Statement Ráiteas Misin 6 Council Members Comhaltaí dan Chomhairle 9 Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, Housing, Social, Cultural and Information Technology Acmhainní Daonna, Gnóthai Corparáideacha, Tithíocht, Soísialta, Culturtha agus Teicneolaíocht an eolais 49 Transportation and Infrastructure Iompar agus Infreastruchtúr 58 Environment and Community Cosaint an Chomhshaoil 68 Economic Development and Planning Forbairt agus Pleanáil Eacnamaíochta 73 Community and Enterprise An Pobal agus Fiontraiócht 80 Finance Airgeadas 88 Portlaoise Town Commission Uraras Baile Portlaoise 91 Mountmellick Town Commission Udaras Baile Mhointeach Milic 94 General Information Eolas Ginearálta 1 Laois County Council Comhairle Chontae Laoise CATHAOIRLEACH’S STATEMENT As Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council it gives me great pleasure to introduce the Annual Report for 2001. The year just gone proved more challenging and momentous, than any of us could have foreseen with the threat to our national economy from the Foot and Mouth disease epidemic in Britain, the difficult year for our Tourism and allied industries, and finally the horrific events of September 11th in New York City, where only six months earlier people of all nationalities had gathered in celebration to commemorate Ireland’s National Day. The year 2001 presented considerable challenges and opportunities for Laois County Council, with the implementation of Better Local Government “A Programme for Change”, which seeks to modernise and reform the Local Government System to meet the ever increasing demands for services being placed upon it. The County continues to develop and prosper at a remarkable rate, in line with improvements in the national economy, and many improvements in areas such as Housing, Roads, Water Supply and Infrastructure generally are detailed in this Report. Laois County Council will continue to support the objectives of the National Development Plan to ensure that our county develops in a balanced and sustainable way, and that our people continue to enjoy a secure and healthy living environment. I wish to thank the Leas Cathaoirleach, Councillor Joseph Digan for his support throughout the year and also to all my colleagues on the Council for the assistance and co-operation they have always given me. Particular thanks are due to the County Manager and Staff of the Council for their professionalism and commitment without which many of the achievements in the County during 2001 could not have occurred. Martin Rohan M.C.C. 2 Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2001 Annual Report 2001 RÁITEAS AN CHATHAOIRLIGH Mar Chathaoirleach ar Chomhairle Chontae Laoise tá an-áthas orm an Tuarascáil Bhliantúil do 2001 a chur os bhur gcomhair. Bhí an bhliain atá thart níos dúshlánaí agus níos cinniúnaí ná mar a bhíothas ag súil leis. Bhí geilleagar na tíre i mbaol ón ngalar Crúb is Béil sa Bhreatain, bliain chrua a bhí inti don Turasóireacht agus do thionscail ghaolmhara, agus ar deireadh, tharla imeachtaí uafásacha an 11ú Meán Fomhair i Nua Eabhrach, áit inar bhailigh daoine ó gach náisiún sé mhí roimhe sin chun comóradh agus cuimhneamh a dhéanamh ar Lá Náisiúnta na hÉireann. Sa bhliain 2001 bhain roinnt dúshlán le Comhairle Chontae Laoise agus bhí deiseanna freisin aici ó thaobh fheidhmiú Rialtais Áitiúil níos Fearr “Clár don Athrú”. Tá sé mar aidhm leis an gClár Córas Rialtais Áitiúil a athchóiriú agus a chur in oiriúint don saol nua-aimseartha chun freastal ar na héilimh ar sheirbhísí., éilimh atá ag méadú go síoraí. Leanann an Contae ar aghaidh ag forbairt agus ag déanamh dul chun cinn ar ráta suntasach, ag teacht leis na feabhsuithe i ngeilleagar na tíre, agus cuirtear síos sa Tuarascáil seo ar roinnt feabhsuithe i réimsí mar Thithíocht, Bóithre, Soláthar Uisce agus an tInfrastruchtúr go ginearálta. Leanfaidh Comhairle Chontae Laoise ag tabhairt tacaíochta do chuspóirí an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta chun a chinntiú go dtiocfaidh forbairt ar ár gcontae ar bhealach cothrom agus inmharthanach agus go leanfaidh na daoine ar aghaidh ag baint taitnimh as timpeallacht mhaireachtála atá sábháilte, sláintiúil. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl don Leas Chathaoirleach, an Comhairleoir Joseph Digan as a thacaíocht i rith na bliana agus do mo chomhghleacaithe ar an gComhairle as an gcabhair agus as an gcomhoibriú a thugann siad dom i gcónaí. Tá buíochas faoi leith tuillte ag Bainisteoir an Chontae agus Foireann na Comhairle as a ngairmiúlacht agus a dtiomantas – ní tharlódh roinnt den méid a baineadh amach sa Chontae i rith 2001 gan iad. Martin Rohan M.C.C. 3 Laois County Council Comhairle Chontae Laoise COUNTY MANAGERS INTRODUCTION Réamhrá an Bhainisteora Laois County Council has a pivotal role in the development of the economy of the County through the provision of a modern Roads, Housing and Services infrastructure, support for the Arts, Culture, Education, Tourism and much more. The Council fulfills its strategic role in partnership with the National and Local agencies responsible for Economic Development, Employment Creation and provision of Social Services, in the best interests of the community it serves. The year 2001 was a very busy year for the Council and this is reflected in the various activities outlined in this years’ report. The public, quite legitimately has high expectations in terms of democratic representation, input into formulation of policies which affect their lives, and in addition rightly expects a high level of customer service. This provides a major challenge for Laois County Council and indeed the entire Local Government system. The Local Government System continues to adapt and modernise, new structures are in place which enhance the role of the elected members, and provide for greater community involvement in policy formulation. Laois County Council has invested considerable effort and resources in areas such as community development and social inclusion. The Councils Corporate Plan 2001 – 2004 sets out detailed objectives, for example, improved Customer Service, to be achieved over the period of the plan and the strategies to be employed in attaining these objectives. An efficiently managed and funded Local Authority, working in partnership with its Elected Representatives, Local Organisations, State Agencies, Community Interests etc., is the key to delivering these services. I wish to thank Staff of Laois County Council at all levels throughout the organisation for their dedication and commitment over the last year. Ar deireadh ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt d’iarrachtaí an Chathaoirligh, an Comhairleoir Martin Rohan agus d’iarrachtaí na gcomhaltaí tofa nár chlis orthu ina n-am agus a bhfuinneamh a thabhairt chun gnó na Comhairle a chur chun cinn i 2001 agus ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leo as a rannpháirtíocht agus a dtacaíocht i mbliain a bhí an-dúshlánach. Michael Malone County Manager 4 Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2001 Annual Report 2001 MISSION STATEMENT Ráiteas Misin Our mission is to develop, protect and promote the County in an inclusive and sustainable manner, in partnership with the community. MANDATE Údarás Laois County Council is the Primary Democratically Elected Authority in County Laois. Laois County Council provides an extensive and diverse range of services which impact upon the County’s economic, social, environmental, infrastructural, tourism, industrial and cultural activities. These services include the provision and maintenance of housing; the provision and maintenance of roads; the provision and maintenance of water supply and sewerage schemes; planning and development services; waste management; environmental protection; recreational activities; libraries; cultural and community development including recreation and sport. The Council is serviced by a large workforce including the County Manager, professional technical, legal, administrative, financial and outdoor employees and contractors. COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS Laois County Council consists of 25 Elected Members - 4 members from the Mountmellick Electoral Area, 6 members from the Portlaoise Electoral Area, 4 members from the Emo and Luggacurren Electoral Areas and 7 members from the Borris-in-Ossory Area. Council Meetings in 2001 were held on the last Monday of each month in the Council Chamber at Áras an Chontae. There was no meeting during the month of August. CORPORATE POLICY GROUP (C.P.G.) Like the Strategic Policy Committees referred to later in this report, the Corporate Policy Group is a result of the implementation of “Better Local Government” - A Programme For Change, which including other improvements, is designed to enhance the democratic and policy formulation role of the elected members. The Corporate Policy Group is a Committee of the Council, its members are the Cathaoirleach of the Council and the Chairpersons of each of the Strategic Policy Committees and the C.P.G. is advised by the County Manager. 5 Laois County Council Comhairle Chontae Laoise COUNCIL MEMBERS Comhaltaí den Chomhairle Mountmellick David John Joe Seamus Goodwin Moloney Digan McDonald MCC MCC, TD MCC MCC Portlaoise Mary Charles Jerry William Catherine Joe Sweeney Flanagan Lodge Aird Fitzgerald Dunne MCC MCC, TD MCC MCC MCC MCC 6 Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2001 Annual Report 2001 Emo Ray Michael James Michael Cribbin Turley Deegan Costello MCC MCC MCC MCC Luggacurren Michael Mary John James Rice Wheatley Moran