Donegal County Council Annual Report 2015 English.Pdf
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Foreword The Council’s Annual Report for 2015 is a The Local Enterprise Office continued to great opportunity to reflect on and take stock deliver key programmes during 2015 to of activities in the context of achieving positive support businesses throughout the County outcomes for the people of Donegal. It is also including the Donegal Food Coast Initiative a great opportunity to present information so and the launch of a strategic action plan for that the work done by the Council and its Creative Entrepreneurship. partners is published and shared. The Council led the winning consortium in a During 2015 the extensive programme of bid for the Roads Management Office Shared change introduced through the local Service and a new dedicated office was set government reform agenda bedded down. up in the County in 2015. This office will lead This enabled new opportunities to enhance the way in supporting local authorities in their the role of the Council in economic, social and role as Roads Authorities responding to the community development as well as the overall priorities, policies and objectives at a introduction of new and innovative national level. approaches in how the Council delivers service. This annual report sets out details of the many and varied activities and achievements of the The Council’s Corporate Plan, which was Council in 2015. Much of what the Council adopted in 2015, sets out the organisation’s does can only be achieved by working in purpose, ambition, and priorities for the next partnership with various partner organisations five years. It outlines the Council’s and key stakeholders and we would like to commitments in terms of economic take this opportunity to thank each of them for development and job creation; infrastructural their ongoing co-operation. requirements; services and supports; arts, culture, environment, heritage & language; We would also like to take this opportunity to community development. The Corporate Plan thank the elected members and the also outlines the Council’s organisational management and staff of the Council for their capacity and in essence provides a blueprint commitment, effort, and dedication. for its activities over the next few years. The Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) for Donegal was prepared during 2015. This LECP, which is consistent with the Council’s Corporate Plan sets out the goals, objectives, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan and actions needed to promote and support Cathaoirleach economic, social and community development in the County over the next 6 years. A number of other key strategic milestones Seamus Neely were met in 2015 including the unveiling of Chief Executive the Donegal Film Office website, the launch of the Donegal Tourism brochure and app and the production and launch of the Donegal Prospectus and video promoting Donegal as a great place to live, work and do business. Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 2 - Table of Contents Page No. Members of Donegal County Council 4 Municipal Districts of County Donegal 7 Donegal County Council Management Structure 8 Council Meetings 2015 9 Civic Receptions 2015 11 Community, Enterprise & Planning 13 Corporate, Housing & Culture 21 Finance, Information Systems & Emergency Services 28 Roads & Housing Capital 37 Water & Environment 45 Appendices Council Membership of Committees and Other Bodies 51 Association of Irish and Local Government Training 2015 63 Travel Abroad 2015 64 Members’ Expenses 2015 66 Performance Indicators 2015 67 Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 3 - Members of Donegal County Council Municipal District of Donegal Municipal District of Glenties Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 4 - Municipal District of Inishowen Municipal District of Letterkenny Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 5 - Municipal District of Stranorlar Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 6 - Municipal Districts of County Donegal Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 7 - 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 2015 - 8 - Council Meetings 2015 Cllr. Paul Canning Chairperson There were 12 full meetings of the Council in The Economic, Enterprise and Planning 2015 comprising of 8 full Council Meetings Policy SPC held three meetings in 2015 and (including one budget meeting) and 4 the following topics were discussed: adjourned meetings. • Corporate Plan (2015 – 2019) There were 3 special meetings of the Council • Local Economic and Community Plan to review and confirm representation from (LECP) Donegal County Council to the Donegal ETB, • Draft Landscape Character Assessment agree Road Traffic Bye-Laws 2015 and • Review of Development Contribution discuss the severe weather event. Scheme • Proposed Variation (No. 3) to the County The Corporate Policy Group held 7 meetings. Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 (as varied) • Tourism update Each Municipal District of Donegal, Stranorlar, • Casual Trading Inishowen, Glenties & Letterkenny met 11 • Tier 2 Local Area Plan times in 2015. Environment & Emergency Strategic Policy Committees Services SPC There are five Strategic Policy Committees Cllr. John O’Donnell (SPCs). Chairperson Community, Social and Cultural The Environment and Emergency Services SPC SPC met four times in 2015 and considered the following: Cllr. Marie Therese Gallagher Chairperson • Regional Waste Management Plan • Beach management The Community, Social and Cultural SPC met • Litter management four times in 2015 and reviewed the following • Water Framework Directive policies and issues: • TidyTowns • 2016 Commemorations / Steering Committee • Walking & Trails Development Housing & Corporate Services • Corporate Plan (2015-2019) SPC • Cultural Services Strategic Plan • EU Unit Work Programme Cllr. Frank McBrearty, • Sports Bursary Fund 2015/2016 Chairperson • Strategic Development Fund – Proposed Policy Changes The Housing & Corporate Services SPC held five meetings and one workshop during 2015 and reviewed policies and procedures in relation to the following topics: Economic, Enterprise & Planning • Tenants Handbook Policy SPC • Policy on House Purchase • Tenant Purchase Scheme Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 9 - • Corporate Plan 2015 - 2019 • Review of Standard Costings under Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme for Older People and People with a Disability. • Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme Roads & Transportation SPC Cllr John Ryan, Chairperson The Roads and Transportation SPC met on 4 occasions during 2015 and agreed a 5 Year Plan of topics that the SPC would consider during its tenure. During 2015 the Roads and Transportation SPC developed and agreed a policy for the Take Over of Roads which was then referred for the consideration of the elected Council towards the end of the year. The SPC also considered the following: • Pavement Condition Ratings • Roads Funding Distribution • N2/A5 (Dublin to Derry/Donegal) • Review of School Safety Programme/Policy • Procurement Policy • LIS & CIS Funding • Road Surfacing Options • Japanese Knotweed Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 10 - Civic Receptions 2015 national successes since its formation back in 1992 including the coveted All Ireland Ladies Gaelic Football Championship title in 2014. A Donegal County Council hosted 5 civic civic reception to honour the Termon Ladies receptions in 2015 to recognise the following Football Team took place on 2 June 2015 in outstanding achievements: the County House, Lifford. Lifford Players Drama Group On 25 May 2015, the Lifford Players Drama Group were honoured at a civic reception to commemorate their 60th anniversary & their many achievements in amateur drama. Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee On 7 December 2015 the Letterkenny Tidy Towns Committee were honored for winning the Super Valu Tidy Towns Competition 2015. This was a joint reception with Letterkenny Municipal District. Letterkenny was named best of the 862 towns and villages throughout Hugh Gallagher the country that entered the 2015 competition. Multi-talented veteran athlete and former It was also declared Ireland's Tidiest Large Donegal Person of the Year Hugh Gallagher Urban Centre. was honoured for his remarkable achievements in athletics at a civic reception in the County House Lifford on 2 June 2015. Jason Quigley Described as one of Donegal’s most illustrious sporting sons, Jason Quigley was honoured Termon Ladies Football Team with a civic reception in the County House The Termon Ladies Football Team was Lifford on 7 December 2015. Jason was honoured for its incredible string of local and honoured for winning a Gold Medal in the Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 11 - European Amateur Boxing Championship (Middleweight Division) and for his achievements in Boxing. Donegal County Council | Annual Report 2015 - 12 - Community, Enterprise & Planning Fund Management A total of €740,000 under the Strategic Development Fund was allocated to 212 projects/groups across the five Municipal Districts during 2015. In addition, allocations benefitting community groups / projects throughout the county totalling €236,000 were made by the 37 Elected Members from the Members Development Fund in 2015. Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) The LCDC continued to oversee the implementation of the SICAP, the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme, which runs until December 2017 and