Annual Report 2016.Pdf
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Foreword 2016 was a special year in the works collectively to build on the history of our state as we work being carried out by the commemorated the centenary of North West Regional Development the 1916 Rising. These Group. commemorations provided us with a once-in-a-century opportunity to The Council’s continued shape and actively engage in a commitment to supporting the diverse range of historical, cultural development of our tourism sector and artistic activities. The level of received a massive boost when interest from all parts of the County Donegal was named at the Coolest was reflected in the range and Place on the Planet to visit by the quality of projects delivered as part National Geographic Traveller of the Donegal Commemorative Magazine and as well as ‘Ireland’s Programme. Hidden Gem’ title by readers of the ‘Irish Independent Travel’ Magazine. Our commitment to improving our energy performance was reinforced A number of key strategic this year when we received ISO milestones were met in 2016 50001 accreditation for our Energy including the opening of the Management System. Achieving Mullantiboyle Bridge in Glenties, this international standard was the the completion of works on the N15 culmination of many months of Blackburn Bridge Scheme Phase 1 work by the management and staff and the completion of the N56 of the Council and we are only the Boyoughter to Kilkenny LVNS second local authority in Ireland to scheme. achieve this accreditation for all Council services. We continued to work in close partnership with Irish Water on Two years of intensive planning delivering a significant capital came to fruition in late 2016 when programme for Donegal the inaugural meeting of the North representing one of the largest West Strategic Growth Partnership capital investments by Irish Water was held. This Partnership, which is outside of Dublin. jointly led by Donegal County Council and Derry City and An ambitious Social Housing Strabane District Council, is made programme that will see the up of senior representatives from housing needs of our communities Government departments from the being addressed in an inclusive and Republic and Northern Ireland and sustainable way continued to be is the first grouping of its kind on progressed through the various the island of Ireland. stages of the development process. This Partnership provides for It is with great sadness that we joined-up planning and acknowledge the passing of Cllr. collaborative resourcing of growth Sean McEniff one of the longest for the North West region and serving members of Donegal County Council and the former staff of the Council. It is their Bundoran Town Council. His dedication, their commitment and service to Donegal and in particular their hard work that makes the his beloved Bundoran spanned six Council such a vibrant and decades and his loss will be felt by progressive organisation. all of us in Donegal County Council. We look forward to continuing to This Annual Report profiles much of work together to serve our the work of this Council and sets communities, support our out details of the many and varied businesses and welcome our activities and achievements in 2016. visitors. Much of what we do can only be achieved by working in partnership with our various stakeholders and we would like to take this Cllr. Terence Slowey opportunity to thank each of them Cathaoirleach for their on-going support and co- operation. Seamus Neely We would also like to thank the Chief Executive elected members, management and Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 3 - Table of Contents Page No. Members of Donegal County Council 5 Municipal Districts of County Donegal 8 Donegal County Council Management Structure 9 Council Meetings 2016 10 Civic Honours 2016 12 Community, Enterprise & Planning 15 Corporate, Housing & Culture 26 Finance, Information Systems & Emergency 38 Services Roads & Transportation 52 Water & Environment 62 Appendices Council Membership of Committees and Other 71 Bodies Attendance of Members at Training Events 77 2016 Foreign Travel 2016 77 Members’ Expenses 2016 78 Performance Indicators 2016 79 Members of Donegal County Council Municipal District of Donegal Municipal District of Glenties Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 5 - Municipal District of Inishowen Municipal District of Letterkenny Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 6 - Municipal District of Stranorlar Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 7 - Municipal Districts of County Donegal Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 8 - Donegal County Council Management Structure There are five directorates in Donegal County Council. Each directorate is headed by a Director of Service and provides a range of functions and services. Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 9 - Council Meetings 2016 Economic, Enterprise & Planning Policy SPC There were 9 full meetings of the Cllr. Paul Canning Council in 2016 and each Municipal Chairperson District met as follows: The Economic, Enterprise and • Donegal - 11 times Planning Policy SPC held four • Glenties - 10 times meetings and the following topics • Inishowen - 11 times were discussed: • Letterkenny - 8 times • Stranorlar - 7 times. • Presentation on Revised Structures within The Corporate Policy Group held 6 Community, Enterprise and meetings. Planning Services. • Local Enterprise Office – Strategic Policy overview of work programme with particular focus on Committees o The 3 year review of the Food Coast There are five Strategic Policy Initiative Committees (SPCs). o LEAN Micro Business Programme. Community, Social and • Time line for the Review of Cultural SPC the County Development Plan. Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher • Review of the County Chairperson Development Plan. • Review of the Development The Community, Social and Cultural Contribution Scheme. SPC met four times and reviewed • Tier 2 Local Area Plan the following policies and issues: Update. • Ministerial Direction in Cultur: Cultural Services relation to Variation no 2 Strategy (2016-2020). Donegal County A Framework for Development Plan 2012- Collaboration: an agreement 2018. • between the Arts Council and Donegal Local Economic the CCMA. Community Plan (LECP). Donegal County Archives Acquisition Policy. Donegal County Archives Environment & Emergency Preservation Policy. Services SPC Peace IV Action Plan. LEADER/RDP Update. Cllr. John O’Donnell EU Funding Unit Report. Chairperson Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 10 - The Environment and Emergency Roads & Transportation SPC Services SPC met 4 times and considered the following: Cllr John Ryan, Chairperson • Regional Waste Management Plan. The Roads and Transportation SPC • Beach management. met on 4 occasions during 2016 • Litter management. and was briefed on and considered many topics including; • Water Framework Directive. • Tidy Towns. • Road maintenance • Local Authority Water and funding. Communities Office • Road Service Indicators. (LAWCO). • N2/A5 (Dublin to Housing & Corporate Derry/Donegal). • Services SPC TEN-T Projects in Donegal. • Cllr. Frank McBrearty, Speed Limit Review & Chairperson Housing Estate Speed Limits. The Housing & Corporate Services • School Safety Measures. SPC held 2 meetings and reviewed • Rural Transport. policies and procedures in relation • to the following topics: Community Involvement Schemes and Local • Tenant (Incremental) Improvement Schemes. Purchase Scheme 2016. • Management of Invasive • Policy on New Programme of species. Specific Instance (S.I.) • Donegal/ Tipperary Dwellings. Hedge Cutting Pilot • Housing Needs Assessment. Project. • New arrangements for the Management of Road Openings. Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 11 - Civic Honours 2016 Anthony Molloy Professor William C Well known Donegal man Anthony Campbell Molloy was bestowed with the A native of Ramelton, Professor Freedom of Donegal during a civic William C Campbell was honoured reception held in his honour on 7 with a civic reception on 26 June 2016 in recognition of his September 2016 in recognition of contribution to gaelic football in his outstanding achievement in County Donegal and Ireland and his jointly winning the 2015 Nobel Prize excellent work as an ambassador in Physiology or Medicine. He was among the Donegal Diaspora. He is awarded the Nobel Prize along with the seventh person to receive the Satoshi Omura of Japan and Tu Freedom of Donegal. Youyou of China for their discoveries that have revolutionised the treatment of some of the most devastating parasitic diseases including River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis. Finn Harps Football Club On the 16 May 2016 the Finn Harps Football Club were honoured with a civic reception in recognition of the clubs promotion to the premier division of the League of Ireland and their outstanding contribution to the community through their many programmes and initiatives. Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2016 - 12 - Dr Peter Fitzgerald Cathaoirleach Cllr Ciaran Brogan hosted a reception in honour of Dr. Peter FitzGerald, founder of Randox Laboratories in recognition of his many accomplishments including his contribution to the medical diagnostics sector, and his work in the area of research and development. Randox’s decision to establish in Donegal was also acknowledged as a massive boost to the county. Sister Mary Dolores Sweeney A reception to honour Sister Mary Dolores Sweeney was held in the Dungloe Public Services centre on the 13 December 2016 in recognition of her outstanding achievements