Chief Executive’s Monthly Management Report in relation to functions performed in the preceding
month / Tuairisc Bainistíochta Míosúala ag an Príomhfheidhmeannach maidir le feidhmeanna déanta I rith an mhí seo caite
Dated 6th November 2020 / 6 Samhain 2020
Prepared under Section 136 (2) of the Local Government Act, 2001, as inserted by Section 51 of the Local Government (Reform) Act, 2014 / Ullmhaithe faoin Alt 136, an tAcht Rialtais Áitiúl, 2001, agus Alt 51, an tAcht Rialtais Áitiúil (Athchóiriú), 2014 1 | Page
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S MANAGEMENT REPORT - 31st OCTOBER 2020 TUAIRISC BAINISTÍOCHTA AG AN PRÍOMHFHEIDHMEANNACH - 31st DEIREADH FÓMHAIR 2020
Contents / Clár Ábhar
Finance & Water Services / Airgeadas & Seirbhísí Uisce 3 Financial Reports / Tuairiscí Airgeadais Water Services / Seirbhísí Uisce
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development / Pleanáil, Bonneagar agus Forbairt Eacnamaíoch 9
Economic Development / Forbairt Eacnamaíoch Local Enterprise Office / Oifig Fiontair Áitiúl European Relations / Caidreamh Eorpach Infrastructure / Bonneagar Planning / Pleanáil Development Management / Bainistíocht Forbartha Planning Enforcement / Forfheidhmiúcháin Forward Planning / Pleanáil Chun Cinn
Operations & Waste Management / Oibríochtaí agus Bainistíocht Dramháil 25 Operations / Oibríochtaí Waste Management / Bainistíocht Dramháil Air, Water and Noise Pollution / Triuilliú Aeir, Uisce agus ó Thorann Environment / Timpeallacht Veterinary Services / Seirbhísí Tréidliachta
Corporate and Emergency Services / Seirbhísí Corporáideacha agus Éigeandála 32 Corporate Services / Seirbhísí Corporáideacha Sustainable Energy / Fuinneamh Inbhunaithe Fire & Emergency Services / Seirbhísí Dóiteáin agus Éigeandála Civil Defence / Cosaint Shibhialta
Housing and Quality of Life / Tithíocht agus Cáilíocht na Beatha 38 Housing / Tithíocht Communities & Sport / Pobail agus Spórt Quality of Life / Cáilíocht na Beatha Libraries / Leabharlanna Archives / An Chartlann Museum / An Iarsmalann Heritage / Oidhreacht Arts / Na hEalaíona
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Finance and Water Services Airgeadas agus Seiribhísí Uisce
This Directorate ensures that the financial management of the Council is carried out in an efficient and timely manner, compliant with all relevant legislation, and that all of the activities and programmes of the Council represent good value for money for all the citizens of Louth.
Other responsibilities include Motor Tax and Water Services.
Cintíonn an Stiúrthóireacht seo go bhfuil bainistíocht airgeadas an Chomhairle déanta ar bhealach éifeachtach agus tráthúil, comhlíontach leis an dlí ábhartha, agus go bhfuil luach ar airgead bainte as gach gníomhaíocht agus clár ag an gComhairle, thar ceann shaoránaigh Lú.
Ina chuid den freagrachtaí eile ná Mótarcháin agus Seirbhísí Uisce.
Bernie Woods Director / Stiúrthóir
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Finance
Expenditure to 31st October 2020
ACTUAL BUDGET EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE % SPENT TO Section TO 31/10/20 2020 31/10/20 Housing 24,440,173 31,054,362 79% Road Transportation & Safety 16,708,321 24,658,931 68% Water Services 5,357,023 6,880,763 78% Development Management 22,914,380 15,406,198 149% Environmental Services 13,088,474 17,909,198 73% Recreation and Amenity 5,685,084 8,977,175 63% Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare 753,915 1,155,725 65% Miscellaneous 15,707,552 11,287,241 139% 104,654,922 117,329,593 89%
Income to 31st October 2020
ACTUAL BUDGET INCOME TO INCOME % INVOICED Section 31/10/20 2020 TO 31/10/20 Housing 24,038,846 32,619,264 74% Road Transportation & Safety 4,919,164 14,839,597 33% Water Services 4,596,248 6,635,582 69% Development Management 18,410,901 9,398,454 196% Environmental Services 1,499,583 1,951,548 77% Recreation and Amenity 740,125 949,802 78% Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare 347,504 448,592 77% Miscellaneous 6,832,728 5,183,306 132% Rates 35,437,457 35,437,250 100% General Purpose Grant (LPT) 9,866,198 9,866,198 100% 106,688,752 117,329,593 91%
The above is the current position as at the 31st Grant, Restart Grant Plus and the extra LEO October 2020. The allocation of the Central supports to Businesses which are all fully grant Management Charge is estimated in the above funded. The additional expenditure in figures as the allocation is not completed till mid- Miscellaneous is the posting of the cost of the 6 month. The full rates demand for 2020 is included month rates waiver for businesses (€10.8m) which in the above figure. The additional expenditure in we have received the first instalment of funding Planning and Economic Development is the Restart (€4m) from the Department.
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Collection rates as at 31st October 2020 are as follows:
Debtors as at 31st October 2020
Opening Closing Balance Invoices Receipts Write Offs Balance Government Debtors 7,433,972 87,476,371 (83,773,122) (8,285) 11,128,936 Other Local Authorities 86,132 525,752 (301,549) 0 310,335 Rates 8,931,758 35,437,457 (15,659,973) (11,194,760) 17,514,482 Rents 3,120,601 10,335,076 (10,413,420) (15,138) 3,027,119 Loans 329,693 1,243,284 (1,276,084) 0 296,893 Development Levies 13,162,422 3,191,460 (1,903,086) (315,585) 14,135,211 Fire Charges 670,967 429,812 (235,019) 0 865,760 Miscellaneous 1,861,317 8,417,141 (8,021,473) (2,086) 2,254,899 TOTAL DEBTORS 35,596,862 147,056,353 (121,583,726) (11,535,854) 49,533,635
Above is the debtor balances as at the 31st We have posted the first 6 month instalment in October 2020. The Miscellaneous debtor figure October which total €10.8m and we have received includes the Irish Water SLA recoupments, the first instalment of €4.2m from the Department in Corporate, Community & Enterprise, LEO, October with the balance to be paid before the year Planning, Enforcement, Environment, Sports, Vets, end. The second 3 month’s waiver will be posted Arts, Roads, Library, Museum and Finance to the rate customers’ accounts in November. miscellaneous billings. The Write off for Rates figure above includes the 6 We regard to rate customers in arrears we continue month waiver (€10.8m). to deal with these on a case by case basis and we urge rate payers that are experiencing difficulties at Covid-19 this time to contact the rates department without delay. Discussions are still on-going between the CCMA the Department and DPER with regard to the two Covid-19 – Business Restart & Restart Grant business cases on the loss of income and Plus additional Covid related costs for the local authorities to the Department. We will report on it The Government’s Business Restart Grant Plus when details are received. closed to applications on the 31st October. We hope to have all applications paid in November. To date Covid-19 – Rates Waiver we have paid out €12.8m to local businesses under the two schemes, Business Restart Grant and The Government announced in order to enhance Business Restart Grant Plus. These grants are fully the supports available for Enterprise, and in funded by DETE. The costs and income are shown recognition of the fact that not only have rate under Development Management above. payers been forced to close businesses due to public health requirement but many others who Budget 2021 remained open have suffered reduction in turnover Work continues on the preparation of the Draft that the rates Waiver will be extended to a duration Budget for 2021. We are still waiting for clarification of six months to the end of September. They have from Central Government on any additional funding stated that the exchequer will fully fund this that maybe available to the local authorities. The initiative. A 100% waiver will automatically be Draft Budget will be up on Decision Time and hard applied for the six month period with a small copies will be delivered to Councilors on Monday number of exceptions. The excluded categories are the 9th November. The 2021 Budget meeting is mainly utilities, banks, large supermarkets and due to be held on Monday the 16th November corporates. following the normal monthly council meeting. 5 | Page
Water Services Waste Water Major Infrastructure Projects
Note – it is expected that progress of capital Ardee Sewage Scheme Upgrade WWTP schemes and delivery of some services will Contractor Operating Period will cease 22nd Dec experience further delays as result of 2020 with handover to LCC to take place on 22nd restrictions due to Covid-19. Dec 2020.
Water Quality Local Network Reinforcement Project– Dundalk
Intensive monitoring of water supplies in the County Project currently under review. is carried out continually by the EPA on behalf of Louth County Council. Local Network Reinforcing – Drogheda
Water Conservation Project currently under review.
Water conservation is ongoing throughout the North Drogheda – Atkins County. Note this project is proceeding in advance of Capital Programmes Drogheda LNRP to address the immediate planned development for North Drogheda. Irish Water refers to the different phases of a Draft Feasibility Review complete. capital project as Gates 1, 2, 3 or 4. Detailed assessment in progress.
Gate 1 - Concept Design, Dundalk DAP (Drainage Area Plan) (Arups) Gate 2 - Detailed design, contract documents, planning and procurement, IW reviewing Risk Assessment which will Gate3 - Construction stage, look at the short term and long term Gate 4 - Snagging, sign off. strategic models and identify the deficiencies in the network. Water Major Infrastructure Projects Stage 3 to be completed by end of year. Workshop 3 scheduled for Nov 2020. Drogheda Water Main Rehabilitation In Progress
Project complete and now closed. Dundalk East Strategic Network (Atkins)
Staleen Drogheda Water Supply Scheme WTP Note this project is in advance of DAP and is to review the Coe’s Road RM and PS. Project substantially completed and currently in Final Feasibility report due end 2020. Operate Period with Contractor. Coe’s Road Pumping Station (Arups) Cavanhill Dundalk Water Supply Scheme WTP This project is progressing in advance of the Project substantially completed and currently in Dundalk East Strategic Network to accommodate Operate Period with Contractor. the proposed developments. Arups have completed the report with Tallanstown Rationalisation Project options outlined for 2020 / 2021
LCC liaising with consultant on site surveys and developments and further developments. information collation. Catchment improvements being progressed Currently at design stage and anticipated by operational measures at PS and commencement Q2 2021. cleaning of 1350mm sewer which are in progress.
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St. Helena Project Blackrock Project now Complete This project is in advancement of the DAP and is to review the St. Helena PS and network. Water Networks Contractor commencement is on hold until Covid restrictions lifted Water Networks Programme
Omeath Sewage Scheme WWTP Rehabilitation Programme ECI Project – Employers Rep: Mace, Contractor: Veolia, Contractor Consultant: Nicholas Work completed in October 2020 on the following O’Dwyer schemes: Upper Old Hill, Drogheda –125mm dia Current Programme: HDPE main – (Stimulus Budget) and o Project Delivery Instruction Jan 2021 Pitchers Hill, Drogheda – 125mm dia HDPE o Construction to commence April main – (BAU Budget) 2021 o Project completion May 2022 PRV Program Workshop 4 – Review of Final Design Proposals held end Sept 2020. The 4 new pressure reducing valves that were Following workshop 4, progressing updated design approved by Irish Water at Muchgrange, Rathcore, for review. Omeath, and Baltray under the Stimulus Budget were procured by LCC with the intention to install SWELL them before end of 2020.
Note: interlinked with Omeath WWTP Project. Lead replacement / Back Yard Services Omeath network linked with Donegal Project. Sizing of Storm Storage complete and to be Irish Water’s Contractors carried out BYS in Louth. included into Omeath WWTP Project. Current Milestones for SWELL First Fix o Main Procurement, Evaluation and Award Q3/Q4 2020. 3 first fix repairs were carried out IW Contractors in o Commencement of Construction Q1 Louth in October. 2021 o Complete Stage 3 Q4 2021. Find & Fix
Regional Sewer Network Rehabilitation. No find and fix type repairs were undertaken by Irish Water and the Leakage Reduction Irish Water contractors in October. Programme will be developing its Mains Rehab and Lead/BYS programme for 2021 Metering over the coming months. The 7 new DMA meters that were approved by Irish Capital Programmes – Minor Projects Water under the Stimulus Budget, for following locations Greenmount, 2 in Stickillen, Rath North, 2 Tinure WWTP in Rath South and Ballymascanlon were procured by LCC and 3 installed, with the intention that the Upgraded Plant now operational with some minor rest would be install before end of 2020. snagging to be completed. Water Scouring Programme 2020 Carlingford & Blackrock WWTP FBDA (advanced works to accommodate additional capacity) Network scouring was undertaken in Blackrock & environs and in Dundalk (from the Carrick Road to Carlingford the Castletown Road to Bridge Street.)
Project now Complete
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Network Maintenance
19 essential water repairs were carried out in October.
Planning & Water Connections
The Networks Section processed 10 new connections, 14 Pre Connection Enquiries and 38 Planning Applications in October.
Service Maps The Networks Section prepared 38 Service Maps in October.
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Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Development Pleanáil, Bonneagar agus Forbairt Eacnamaíoch
This Directorate has three key areas of responsibility:
Planning, the way in which we organise the built environment in our county
Infrastructure, including our roads, bridges, and ports
Economic Development, including the Local Enterprise Office, and work involving partners and funding outside the state
Tá trí eochairfhreagracht ag an Stiúrthóireacht seo:
Is é Peanáil an slí a eagraímid an timpeallacht thógtha i gContae Lú
Bonneagar, ár mbóithre, ár ndroichid, agus ár gcalaphoirt san áireamh
Forbairt Eacnamaíoch, an Oifig Fiontair Áitiúl san áireamh, agus obair le comhpháirtithe agus foinsí maoinithe lasmuigh den Stát
Frank Pentony Director / Stiúrthóir
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Economic Development Work is underway regarding the design and development of a website and on the design and Louth Economic Forum installation of Interpretive Panels at the 14 scenic viewpoint locations. The next meeting of the Louth Economic Forum will take place on Wednesday 25th November, Feasibility Study to identify and recommend a 2020. Destination Attractor / Visitor Experience for Drogheda Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme Work is underway on Phase 1 of this feasibility The closing date for receipt of applications under study “Concept of Ideas”. A report is due back the Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme is on same in November, 2020. Friday 20th November, 2020 at 5pm. Boyne Valley Flavours Food Hampers Details of the Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme are available on: In 2020 a new, more user friendly website was https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/economic- developed (www.boynevalleyflavours.ie) which development/business-incentive-schemes-retail- now has a shop allowing product sales. The first prospectus/shopfront-improvement-grant- product sold via the website was a Samhain scheme-application-and-guidelines.pdf or you Hamper of local produce to tie in with Púca and can request the Design Guidelines and Halloween. There were 43 hampers sold with a Application Form by emailing lot of interest in Christmas Hampers also. [email protected].
There has been a great interest in this scheme with 64 applications received to date.
Age Friendly Business Initiative Pilot Scheme – Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk
Age Friendly Charters have now been circulated to the businesses to complete which asks them to identify an in-store “Champion for Age- Friendliness and Older Customers” and to list 3 commitments / changes they are going to make Boyne Valley Flavours Food Hampers in their business to become Age Friendly. Promotional Video for Louth It is hoped that a recognition ceremony will be #wherefamiliesreconnect able to take place in December, 2020 depending on Government’s advice regarding the Covid-19 Following on from the success of this promotional pandemic. video for Louth, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce in association with Drogheda Chamber of Tourism Commerce, Louth Tourism Networking Committee and Louth County Council has sea louth, scenic seafood trail commenced work on a second promotional video for Louth for 2021. The virtual launch of sea louth, scenic seafood trail has been postponed until 2021. Fáilte Ireland – Destination Towns Capital Investment Programme “sea louth” has been awarded €30,000 under Phase 2 funding from Bord Iascaigh Mhara under The tenders for Design and Management the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) for the consultancy for Drogheda’s new Wayfinding and North East Region Development Scheme to Signage are due back on the 2nd November, further develop and promote this initiative.
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2020 via the eTenders platform and tenders will This newly launched grant fund provides a be evaluated thereafter. contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and reconnecting The bespoke new signage for visitor information with employees and customers. and orientation is part of the Fáilte Ireland Destination Towns programme. The proposed Grants of a minimum of €500 to a maximum of signage will be focused on streets from €1,000 in respect of vouched expenditure. This Magdalene Tower to Millmount and from scheme is suitable for micro-entrepreneurs who Westgate to St. Laurence’s Gate in Drogheda are not eligible for the COVID-19 Restart / town centre. Restart Plus Grant or similar COVID-19 business restart grants. Fáilte Ireland COVID-19 Supports 9 Applications for the COVID-19 Micro-Enterprise Fáilte Ireland has set up a COVID-19 Business Fund were received during October Support Hub on their corporate website https://covid19.failteireland.ie/ which provides Further details are available at: https://micro- details of a number of financial and liquidity enterpriseassistance.ie/. supports available for businesses in the tourism sector along with operating procedures, COVID-19 Business Continuity Voucher guidelines and the latest available updates and expert advice for this sector. 592 applications were received for the Business Continuity Voucher Scheme which closed on the LEO Louth 15th May. These have all been processed, and over 453 vouchers have been approved to date COVID-19 Business Supports with most of the remaining businesses appointed mentors to assist their continuity plans.
These projects are all progressing and will conclude in December, 2020. This support helps small business owners receive professional advice to develop short and long term strategies to respond to the challenges of COVID-19.
Brexit Supports
Updated information on the range of business supports available can be found at: www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Response.
Businesses applying for support from LEO Louth should email: [email protected].
Micro-Enterprise Assistance Fund
Brexit – Series of Seminars in November and December:
LEO Louth has partnered with InterTrade Ireland and the Chambers of Commerce in Dundalk and Drogheda to host a series of webinars on Brexit. These will focus on Customs (11th Nov), Services (25th Nov) and Logistics (9th Dec). There will also
11 | Page be a Brexit webinar with Drogheda Chamber Brexit: Prepare Your Business for scheduled for 26th Nov. Customs & Trade with Third Countries Introduction for Social Media for Business Brexit – Prepare Your Business for Customs Training: Trading Online Workshop
Brexit will also have major implications for VAT Further details are available at: and Customs paperwork. LEO Louth is running https://www.localenterprise.ie/Louth/Training- two (free to attend) workshops in November (6th Events/Online-Bookings/. and 30th) to help businesses navigate these changes. Trading Online Vouchers
Brexit Advisory Clinic:
The Brexit Advisory Clinic is a one to one meeting to help assess the impact of Brexit on Louth businesses. The aim of the clinic is to design a pathway to mitigate Brexit and access additional supports.
Brexit Readiness Checklist: An enhanced Trading Online Voucher scheme th The Brexit Readiness Checklist is now available was launched on the 8 April, under which LEO on the Department of Business, Enterprise and can provide 90% support up to a maximum grant Innovation website: https://dbei.gov.ie/.../Brexit- of €2,500 to micro-enterprises. 53 applications Readiness-Checklist.pdf. were received during October bringing the total number of applications in 2020 to 378. A full range of Brexit supports to help small In November and December, LEO Louth will businesses is offered by LEO Louth, all promote a campaign to support ‘buy local’, by information can be found at: highlighting local business’ websites that sell https://www.localenterprise.ie/Louth/Brexit/. online and availed of a Trading online Voucher.
Business Training Business Advice Clinics
36 business advice appointments were provided by telephone and video conference to entrepreneurs throughout the County during October. Total number of Business Advice Clinic appointments from January to October is 378.
LEO Louth Mentor Programme
51 businesses participated on business training workshops during October. All courses and workshops take place online.
Upcoming Courses and Workshops in November include:
Accessing Finance for Small Business
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The Mentor Programme is designed to match up This rebate will be paid automatically to the knowledge, skills, insights and business bank account in Month 13 of the entrepreneurial capability of experienced loan (New) business practitioners with small business owner
/ managers who need practical and strategic one- LEO Louth offers full expert assistance to clients to-one advice and guidance. to assist the completion of the Microfinance Loan
Application, Business Plan and Cashflow 17 businesses were appointed Mentors during Projections. the month of October.
30 loan applications have been received by LEO, COVID-19 Microfinance Ireland Business with 11 applications being progressed with Loan assistance from LEO mentors. LEO is also
assisting with 47 active loan enquiries.
eCommerce Cluster
A North East eCommerce Cluster managed by the 4 NE LEOs, funded under EI’s Competitive Microfinance Ireland re-opened for applications Funds programme commenced earlier this year on the 31st August. Standard loan packages with 9 Louth companies participating. We are remain unchanged, there are a couple of key currently recruiting 8 further Louth businesses for changes with the new COVID-19 Loan Fund. a new round of this enhanced digital consultancy support programme to help build their online These changes were introduced by the business and sales. Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, following a review of the first COVID-19 Loan Food Academy Fund, taking into account the additional financial supports that are now available for small businesses and with the aim of supporting as many small businesses as possible with the financial support they need.
The new loan scheme will consist of up to €25,000 available with zero repayments and zero interest for the first 6 months and the equivalent The current national Food Academy programme of an additional 6 months interest-free subject to commenced in July and is continuing with Louth certain terms and conditions* businesses participating.
Maximum loan amount is €25,000 for all LEO Louth Client Portfolio Review applicants (New) First 6 months – interest free and zero LEO Louth’s client engagement programme repayments (No change) commenced in May and will run to the end of Interest Rate – 4.5% APR for LEO 2020.
Applications and 5.5% APR for Direct The programme is aimed at supporting and Applications (No change) progressing the 240 LEO portfolio clients to Capital & Interest Repayments develop their growth potential in the market. A commence in Month 7 (No change) key aspect of the project is working with client *Government Rebate for interest paid in businesses most at risk from the economic Months 7 – 12 of loan (making an impacts of Covid and Brexit and to ensure maximum uptake of LEO Covid and Brexit equivalent of 12 months interest free), supports. subject to all loan repayments being made in months 7-12 of the loan.
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LEAN for Micro Programme 2,700 businesses participating. This year’s event was held online and was assisted nationally by LEO Louth continues to offer Louth business Whitelight Consulting. the LEAN Programme to small businesses locally with 9 Regional Enterprise Plan – North East approved projects to date in Caroline Brady commenced as Programme 2020. Manager for the North East Regional Enterprise Plan in October. The plan covers Counties The programme helps businesses to identify Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, with the new issues and potential improvement areas and Programme Manager based in Louth County provides support to implement these as well as Council. Caroline will work with the economic achieve savings and improvements in capability stakeholders in the region to promote a collaborative approach to the implementation and and capacity to deliver. Businesses with an delivery of the action plan. interest in improving competitiveness should contact LEO Louth to discuss how both the LEAN European Relations Programme and the LEAN Network can be of assistance. Peace IV Programme
PLATO
The Louth group of the PLATO Management Development programme continues with 11 local businesses participating. COVID – 19 Co-Innovate Programme Due to the Public Health Crisis in Ireland with the Final clients on the Co-Innovate Programme spread of the Coronavirus, most Peace IV continue to engage with the programme to assist projects in Louth quickly moved to online delivery them in embedding innovation in their business. to continue with implementation. Innovate Accelerate Europe 2020 We are pleased to see that so many projects are emerging from the restrictions and adopting LEO Louth, with partners LEO Meath and Newry novel ways of working so that meaningful and Mourne and Down District Council, launched an safe contact can occur for their participants, online International Trade Readiness Programme thereby ensuring the continuation of their in October that will continue through November services. and conclude in December. Good Relations Initiative The current (2020) programme is focused on supporting small Food and Drink Businesses as Building Our Future - Good Relations Life they are the most challenged by Brexit and Skills Covid. 2020 has been a very difficult year for young There are 7 participant businesses from Louth people with many feeling disconnected from their who will be assisted to assess opportunities communities particularly from March into the beyond the island, secure new markets and summer months. During August, Louth acquire knowledge of better ways to compete. Volunteer Centre’s Good Relations Initiative took advantage of the ease in restrictions to host a National Women’s Enterprise Day (#NWED) Life Skills programme for young people alongside Boomerang Youth Café Drogheda and the New The LEO Network hosted National Women’s Leaf youth project mid-Louth. Enterprise Day on the 14th October, with over The aim of the EU Peace IV funded programme
14 | Page was to give young people a space to explore who For more information on the Good Relations they are and the place of young people in our Initiative please contact Mairéad or Tracy at 041 society. The programme also focused on looking 9809008 or email [email protected]. at how diverse our society is and supporting young people to embrace this diversity. Participants also explored how important volunteers are to our communities and the benefits of young people volunteering in their own community.
Gráinne Berrill, Louth Volunteer Centre Manager noted “Louth Volunteer Centre’s role is essentially about building connections; helping people to feel connected to one another and their community through volunteerism. Now more than ever it is so important for young people to feel that connection so we are delighted to have Participants at the Drogheda Lifeskills Programme been able to facilitate these Lifeskills programmes in Ardee and Drogheda”. Infrastructure
The workshops increased the confidence of the Roads Projects young people and equipped them with the skills to identify issues within their own community and Clanbrassil Street / St. Nicholas Quarter devise a project to address these issues. The groups identified Social Action projects dealing Works identified in the Stage 3 RSA have been with issues for young people in their own local progressed and completed in October. Louth area. They will work with the support of Louth County Council facilitated some elements of Volunteer Centre’s Good Relations Initiative team works which have now enabled the CCTV and their local youth organisation to deliver their system for AGS to be becoming fully operational. Social Action project which in turn will benefit the young people in their own local area and address The clock outside of the Clanbrassil Centre / the issues for young people in their community. McArdle Meats had work done to bring it back into working order. Mairéad Hearty, Good Relations Initiative Co- ordinator stated “COVID19 has challenged us all, The scheme recently won the Rest of Leinster but especially young people. It was so impactful under the ULI Ireland 2020 Excellence in to bring these young people together to examine Placemaking Awards at a virtual ceremony held issues like their identity at this time and to be on the 21st October. able to show them that they have a voice and that voice matters. We are really excited about what they are planning in their social action projects which we will showcase later in the year”.
The Good Relations Initiative project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported locally by Louth County Council and Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). Match-funding has been provided by The Executive Office in Offical Opening Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
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Narrow Water Bridge CPO Narrow Water Bridge was specifically mentioned in the Taoiseach's recent statement following the Shared Island Conference but no details are available at present.
N53 - Dundalk to Castleblayney Road Phase 4. HBX to Rassan
The Route Option Report is available online at Public Consultation www.louthcoco.ie. Ground Investigation works have commenced and all landowners have been N52 Ardee Bypass contacted. Geophysical archaeological is The technical review of the junctions on the complete. Preliminary design is ongoing. scheme is now at public consultation stage. Subject to approval by TII it is envisaged that a The first non-statutory public consultation took Part 8 process will commence by the end of Q4 place in Ardee Community Centre on the 5th of 2020. March. All Submissions have now been considered and the junction strategy report is N2 Ardee to Castleblayney now finalised.
Collaboration with Monaghan County Council (as Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Public Lead Authority) continues to progress the Consultation 2 is now taking place Online from scheme. Friday 16th October, 2020 at https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/louth_county_council The Emerging Preferred Route Corridor for the /latest-news/n52-ardee-bypass-public- N2 Ardee to Castleblayney was published on the th consultation-no-2..html. Feedback is to be project website on the 24 August, 2020, and the received by the 13th November, 2020. A six week Public Consultation was completed on th feedback form is available as part of this the 5 October, 2020. brochure and / or online at www.louthcoco.ie.
th Completed feedback forms can be submitted via As of 7 October, 157 no. formal submissions the project email [email protected] or through were received for the N2 Ardee / the Freepost address below: Freepost Number: Castleblayney Road scheme and these are FDN5329 The Project Engineer (N52 Ardee presently being reviewed. Although the Bypass), Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Emerging Preferred Route Corridor public Engineers Ltd, Arena House, Arena Road, consultation process has now concluded, the Sandyford, Dublin 18, D18 V8P6. project team can still be contacted.
The project website www.N2MonaghanLouth.ie TII HD 15 Safety Works: still has all information relating to the third non- King Williams Glen Tullyallen, N51 statutory public consultation available (the virtual Works to increase the stagger at the junction are consultation experience can still be viewed on now substantially completed. A Stage 3 road the project website), the project phone line can be contacted on 087 340 3786, and queries can safety audit has been carried out and the comments are currently being reviewed. be submitted by email; ArdeeCastleblayney@N2MonaghanLouth. ie. Park and Share / Park and Ride Pilot Scheme
The Part 8 for the scheme was approved by Dundalk MD on the 7th July. Site investigation is now completed. Archaeology investigation has now been completed with no
16 | Page significant finds recorded. Land transfer will now Boyne Enterprise Link Road be completed. Tenders have been received to appoint a Tenders for the works were received and the consultant to design, prepare Planning Consent suitability assessment process has been Documentation and complete Contract completed. Tender assessment is currently documents for this link road. Tenders are being undertaken with a view to awarding a currently been reviewed with a view to appoint contract in the coming weeks subject to TII the successful Tenderer early November. approval and completion of the land purchase.
Port Access Northern Cross Route TII HD17 Schemes: Land acquisition ongoing. Fencing completed at Site inspections have been carried out at priority R132. Fill material being stockpiled, for locations on National Roads including the N33 embankment use. Existing ESB 38kv line has and the Funshog Junction on the N2, in been diverted. conjunction with TII Safety Section. Feasibility and Options reports will now be prepared and will Further funding sources being sought, an be forwarded to the TII for their review and application for URDF Funding Round 2 has been approval in due course. lodged, and we await a decision on this funding application. A Feasibility and Options Report for Public Lighting Remedial Works has been forwarded to the TII for their review and approval for 3 No. Recreation & Amenity Projects locations on the N2. Carlingford Lough Greenway - Omeath to Newry. N2 Collon North Pavement Scheme (Joint project with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and East Border Region) A contractor has been appointed and, works have commenced on resurfacing a 3.5km section Tenders are to be invited for the site investigation of the N2 north of Collon. Traffic management is works for Sections I, II and III of the Greenway. in place using a convoy system with some delays Site clearance and investigation work onsite is to traffic. Works are scheduled to be expected to commence in Q4 of 2020. substantially complete by the end of November.
Carlingford Lough Greenway
The consultant is progressing with detailed design for the project. Landowner discussions are ongoing and they are being kept updated on the project developments. The project partners are continuing to meet on a monthly basis to review and assess the various aspects of the N2 overlay: Wearing Course Laying project. An application for additional funding for
17 | Page the Greenway has been made to SEUPB, with a LIHAF Mount Avenue Improvement decision due in Q4 of 2020. The Oral hearing in to the CPO was held on the 3rd March, 2020. The CPO has been approved by ABP on the 23rd June, 2020. Greenway - Carlingford to Templetown
On the 29th July the Minister announced Landowner engagement is ongoing. Atkins €200,000 allocation towards the design and Consultants are completing the detailed design planning of the extension of the greenway from and preparing contract documents. Carlingford to Templetown taking in Greenore. A Topographical Survey now completed. AA brief for the appointment of consultants is screening report has been received. Ground currently being prepared and the tender is Investigation is now complete. Archaeological expected to be published on e-Tenders in early test trenching contract is substantially complete. November. Accommodation works details and contract documents are being finalised.
Meath Co. Council Boyne Greenway Safety Improvement Works Drogheda to Mornington
The submission period closed on the 11th September, 2020. An Bord Pleanála will now Low Cost Safety Schemes consider the scheme and submissions received. Funding for 2020 allocation received by Operations. Detailed design works and costing estimates are progressing and ongoing on three Dundalk Municipal Athletics Grass Track pedestrian crossings. Avenue Road - A recommendation has been Community Sports Section applied for and made to appoint the successful contractor. received funding for circa €92k for works. Civil works will commence in November. Infrastructure, using the €92k to carry out works in terms of site investigations, topo survey and Mary Street / Dublin Road, Drogheda: - earth works to bring the track to a level grassed Works is substantially completed. surface for use as a grass track. Site Clearance has completed. Tenders have been received Blackrock Village: - The contractor has been and a contractor is due to commence in the appointed and civil works will commence in coming weeks subject to submission of November. insurances.
Ardee Pedestrian Crossing. LiHAF Projects Feasibility and Options Report for the Refurbishment of the Pedestrian Lights on Castle LIHAF Access Road at Newtown, Drogheda Street, Ardee has been forwarded to the TII for their review and approval. Engaging with Department and Developer. Contract documents are substantially complete Specific Bridge Improvement Grants and ready for tender, subject to the Departments approval. Site investigations are now completed. Tenders for Archaeological excavation contract Obelisk Bridge are being assessed. An Bord Pleanála decision to grant the SHD for 450 housing units has been The various structural, environmental, overturned in judicial review. The developer is archeological, and conservation surveys are preparing a revised SHD proposal. complete, allowing for a Section 177AE application been submitted to An Bord Pleanála for approval of the proposed works in September. Decision date as confirmed by ABP as 15th March, 2021. Closing date for submissions on
18 | Page the application was 30th October, 2020 to ABP. The Design Team shall now complete detailed Documents are currently on public display in Fair Design stage which will be subject to the Street and Town Hall Offices or can be viewed requirements of any planning process decision. at: www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/transportation- and-infrastructure/bridge-refurbishments.
Preliminary Design report is now complete and options report with cost estimates have been reviewed by the Infrastructure Section allowing for an application for funding for the physical refurbishment work to the bridge to be submitted to DTTAS in October.
The Design Team shall now complete detailed Design stage which will be subject to the St. Dominick’s Bridge, Drogheda requirements of any planning process decision.
Town & Village Renewal
Blackrock Footpaths Tenders have been received and a contractor has been appointed. Works are programmed to commence in the coming weeks
Corporate Projects
Ardee Castle
Obelisk Bridge The specialist tourism company has completed a scoping study on proposed use of the building. St. Dominick’s Bridge, Drogheda Findings from the scoping study are being reviewed in conjunction with the appointed The various structural, environmental, design team to assess any possible impact on archeological, and conservation surveys are the works. Currently a flexible use model is complete, allowing for a Section 177AE being considered. application been submitted to An Bord Pleanála for approval of the proposed works in September. th The appointed design team are reviewing initial Decision date as confirmed by ABP as 15 design works as well as continuing building March, 2021. Closing date for submissions on th investigations, especially into the Judge’s the application was 30 October, 2020 to ABP. Chambers building. Documents are currently on public display in Fair Street and Town Hall Offices or can be viewed Temporary support structure has been installed at: www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/transportation- in the Judge’s Chambers building to address and-infrastructure/bridge-refurbishments. health and safety concerns. RRDF funding Preliminary Design report is now complete and continues to be drawn down. options report with cost estimates have been reviewed by the Infrastructure Section allowing for an application for funding for the physical refurbishment work to the bridge to be submitted to DTTAS in October.
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Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
Ardee 2040
Tender for the appointment of a Consultant for the project was published on OJEU. Tender assessment is now complete and the Design Team are to be appointed.
Carlingford Rural Regeneration
Ardee Castle Funding has been approved in principle, verification documents concerning the project Redevelopment Fair Street Offices, Drogheda were submitted at the end of July to the Department. A brief for the appointment of Detailed design work continues on Phase 1. consultants is currently being prepared. Disability Access Certificate and Fire Certification were submitted in August. Urban Regeneration and Development Fund Projects In order to facilitate new requirements for Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) the ESB now Long Walk (Dundalk) require an ESB substation to be incorporated into Approvals from the Dept. have been issued, the proposed service yard. This requires an meetings are to be held with third party amendment to the existing Part 8. This stakeholders to enable a brief for the amendment for ESB substation was on public appointment of consultants to be prepared. display in Fair Street offices until 23rd October Head of terms of agreement is currently with the with submissions accepted until 6th November. third party stakeholder for signing. Further details can be viewed: https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/transportati West Gate Vision (Drogheda) on-and-infrastructure/drogheda-civic-offices. Tender for the appointment of a Consultant for the project was published on OJEU. Tender assessment is now complete and the successful Tenderer is in the process of being appointed.
Flooding General
Catchment based Flood Risk Assessment & Management Study (CFRAM)
Redevelopment Fair Street Offices, Drogheda Dundalk and Ardee Flood Defence projects
Tenders to pre-qualify Contractors closing date Contract signing for the appointment of a was on the 5th October. Assessment of Consultant took place on the 30th July. The submission to confirm suitability of contractors is Minister, Mr. Patrick O’ Donovan TD, and the on-going at present. Pricing documents will be OPW were also in attendance. Stage 1 of the issued in early January, 2021 to verified pre- Project has now commenced, i.e. Options qualified contractors. Depending on Covid-19 assessment, Scheme Development and Design implications Construction works are programmed Part 1. to commence Q2 2021.
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Balmer’s Bog Surface Water Pipe OPW has approved funding, €668,571, for these works to be undertaken in advance of the Dundalk Flood Relief Scheme.
Contract documents are near completion and it is proposed to go to Tender subject to the wayleave being agreed early November.
Wayleave negotiations are now complete with Contract signing for the appointment of Consultants Dundalk the two landowners, CIE and Dundalk Grammar & Ardee Flood Defence Project School, allowing procurement of Contractors to commence in Q4 2020. Drogheda & Baltray Flood Defence Projects Annagassan Harbour Tender Documents for the appointment of consultants are currently being developed for this Consultation has taken place with National Parks scheme, and it’s envisaged to go to Tender by and Wildlife Service and the EPA due to the the end of November, subject to OPW approval. proximity of Annagassan Harbour to two Natura 2000 sites (Dundalk Bat SAC and Dundalk Bay Carlingford & Greenore Flood Defence SPA). Due to the nature of the works involved a Project full EIA may be required. Estimated cost further investigations up to €135,000 if full EIS is OPW have commenced a data review of the required. No funding available Carlingford and Greenore Flood Defence Project to reappraise the Options identified in the Flood Schools Programme Projects Risk Management Plan. The data review will include additional rainfall data collection and Replacement School for St. Ita’s and St. modeling. Mary’s
Dunleer Flood Risk Management Plan Site acquired. Department of Education to submit a planning application. Flood Risk Management Plan final Report completed. OPW have now confirmed that they Ardee E.T.N.S. will examine the Project with a view to delivering Approval to go to tender issued by Department of the proposed Works themselves. Education. Expressions of interest have now been received and a shortlist of contractors to Marine Projects whom tenders will be issued is being finalised by the architects. Coastal Erosion Study Funding received for Salterstown and Seabank A contract to carry out the advanced works for Coastal Erosion works. Design works. Louth ESB and Bord Gáis, is complete. County Council have now received planning consent under Section 177AE of the Planning Coláiste Chú Chulainn and Park at Marshes Regulations from An Bord Pleanála, (APB) Lower, Dundalk subject to compliance with a number of Progress has been made in relation to snagging. Conditions. Compliance with these Conditions As constructed drawings of the completed will require provision of Specialist Services and emergency lighting are to be issued by the PSDP OPW have approved the additional funding additional snagging in relation to landscaping and required to provide them. Louth County Council other items to be completed also. will proceed to procure these Specialist Services to allow completion of the Tender Documents.
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Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project has commenced. Works expected to be (PLEEP) completed by end of November.
A section 85 Agreement between Kilkenny Planning County Council and Louth County Council has been agreed. Development Management
Design and preparation of the tender documents The Planning service indicators for Louth County will commence in November, 2020. Council for the month of September 2020 are given below in tabular form. A final cost estimate for the element of works in Co. Louth will be carried out during the design There were 95 planning applications received process, and this will inform the financial loan during the month of September of which 81 were required by Louth County Council. Subject to valid. In addition there were 31 responses Approval of a loan for the works by the Members received during the month to requests for further and subsequent approval by the Housing information and 26 Pre-Planning Applications Finance Agency if is proposed to go to tender at received. the end of Q4 of 2020. The service indicator figures in relation to planning decisions and decisions on appeals TII Lighting Upgrade Collon / Adree made during the month, broken down by category, and with a total figure for all categories Lighting designs are been completed and (Column F), are given below: Lanterns have been delivered and installation
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) Description Housing Individual Other Other Total for all Developmen Houses applications- applications- categories of ts not requiring requiring EIA development EIA in County Area
(i) Number of 3 20 43 1 67 applications
determined
(ii) No. of decisions determined 3 9 12 0 24 which required further information (iii) Percentage of applications 0% (0) 30% (6) 11.63% (5) 0% (0) 16.42% (11) refused
(iv) Number of appeals 0 0 2 0 2 determined (v) Percentage of 0% (0) 0% (0) 100% (2) 0% (0) 100% (2) decisions overturned on appeal
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Planning Enforcement – Unauthorised Development
The Planning indicators are given below in relation to Enforcement complaints regarding unauthorised developments received during the month.
Description Enforcement in relation Enforcement in relation to unauthorised to unauthorised
development development
September Year to September Year to 2020 Date 2019 Date
Number of Planning Enforcement Complaints 36 203 30 172 Investigated
Number of Planning Enforcement cases 0 0 0 0 received which didn’t require follow up
Number of cases closed / resolved through 28 157 22 156 negotiation
Number of Warning letters issued 18 104 17 107
Number of Enforcement Notices issued 0 12 4 20
Number of cases referred for legal 1 5 3 16 proceedings
Number of Injunctions 0 0 0 2
Number of Prosecutions 0 0 0 2
Forward Planning Draft Louth County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 – Public Display Draft County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 . Public Consultation period commenced Volume 1 – Written Statement on the 16th October, 2020 Volume 1a – Book of Maps (Regional . Deadline for Submissions / Growth Centres, Self-Sustaining Growth Observations is 12pm (noon) on the 23rd Towns and Rural Policy Zones) December, 2020 Volume 2 – Written Statements and Maps – Small Towns and Villages Conservation Grants Scheme 2020 Volume 3 – Appendices Volume 4 – Record of Protected Structures Final Progress Reports being prepared for Volume 5 – Environmental Reports submission to the Department.
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Section 247 – Pre-application Meetings Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) 2 No. Meetings held during the month of October Stage 3 application re: Lands at Dublin Road, Haggardstown Response(s) issued to Submissions Received Submissions to ABP now closed CE Report being prepared for A submission was mad to Variation No. 2 of the submission to ABP Monaghan County Development Plan 2019 – 2025. The purpose of this Variation was to demonstrate Stage 2 SHD the Monaghan County Development Plan is aligned Consultation in respect of a with the National Planning Framework and the development in Ardee being Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the progressed Northern and Western Region.
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Operations and Waste Management Oibríochtaí agus Bainistíocht Dramháil
This Directorate provides a range of services which underpin the efficient and smooth running of the economic and social life of our county, working to ensure our environment adheres to legislative standards, and to provide clean and safe parks throughout Louth. Responsibilities include:
Road Maintenance, Wardens Service, Waste Management, Water Quality, and Climate Action
Cuireann an Stiúthóireacht seo réimse seirbhísí ar fáil mar bhonn agus mar thaca ag an reachtáil éifeachtúil an saol eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta Chontae Lú, ag obair i dtreo comhlíonadh an dlí maidir leis an timpeallacht, agus chun páirceanna phoiblí glan agus sábháilte a chinntiú. Ina chuid den freagrachtaí ná:
Cothabháil Bóithre, an tSeiribhís Maorachta, Bainistíocht Dramháil, Cáilíocht Uisce, agus Gníomh Aeráide
Catherine Duff Director / Stiúrthóir
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Municipal District of Dundalk storm drains, tar patching, drainage work, road signage repair/maintenance. Dundalk Area Cleaning gullies and storm lines with work carried Road resurfacing works were carried out in out at various locations including LS-7114 Glenwood Estate, Dublin Road as part of the 2020 Shortstone, Hackballscross, LS-7093 Feed Mount Road Works Programme. Pleasant , LS-7127 Kilkerley Road Kilkerley, LS- 7128 Tankardsrock Kilkerley, LP-3161 Marlbog Road Haggardstown ,LS-7162 Clermont Road Haggardstown, R171 Knockbridge Road, N52 Gibstown Ardee Road.
Tar Patching repairing potholes works carried out on LS-7162 Clermont Road, LS-7163 Chapel Road Haggardstown , LS-7107 Sky Hill, LP-3136 Newtown Knockbridge, LP-3167 Stephenstown Road Knockbridge, R171 Knockbridge Road, LS- 7115 Cavananore Hackballscross, LS-7121 Shanmullagh, LS 7128 Donaghmore Kilkerley.
Cleaning /Washing road signage took place at LP 3097 Faughart Lower, LP-3113 Shortstone Hackballscross. Overlay works in Duffy’s Car Park, Dundalk
Road, footpath and kerb repairs were carried out within the Town Centre Area.
Additional Road Markings have been added at The Laurels and Bridge Street.
A one way system was installed at Dowdallshill Graveyard, along with additional footpaths and head stone plinths.
General maintenance of signage, gullies, barriers, drains, verges, etc continues. Repairs continue on Traffic Lights, Bollards, Barriers, and Signage damaged by vehicular collisions, etc. Customer Services queries are replied to as required and subsequent works carried out.
Maintenance continues on the Public Parks, also Road signs being washed in Faughart including hedge/verge and tree pruning in the remaining public areas. Litter picking, emptying New signage was erected at various locations bins & street sweeping continues on a daily basis. including R178 Dundalk Carrickmacross , Junction Maintenance of the public foul and storm sewerage LP-3097/LP-3095, Faughart. network continues with blockages and flooding being cleared as required. Flail mowing verge maintenance was carried at LS- 7159 Wallaces Roads Blackrock, LS-7098 Hill of Blackrock and Faughart Area Faughart, N52 Gibstown Ardee Road, LP-3161 Haynestown Cross, LS-7100 Faughart Upper. Works carried out in this area this month were mainly connected to opening outlets, cleaning
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Sanitizing of vehicles for LCC crews is carried on a sightlines. Vegetation removal and flailing on the regular basis in Machinery yard Dundalk. Emptying Ballykelly – Essexford Road was also completed. of litter bins is ongoing, with bins emptied in Blackrock on Mondays and Fridays.
Cooley Area
Further road edge restoration, pothole patching, drainage ditch clearing repair at Shilling Hill and Templetown, along with Road strengthening works.
Drainage works have been carried out at Carrickcarnon and Omeath. Road edge restoration, drainage repairs and verge clearance works have been carried out on the Omeath to Newry Road.
Cattle Grids have been repaired and replaced on the Mast Road, Edentuber and Omeath. General maintenance of roads, footpaths, car parks, public toilets, signage, gullies, drains, verges, etc continues. Street cleaning, bin collection in Carlingford, Omeath, Greenore, Templetown Beach, Gyles Quay, play grounds areas continues.
North Mid-Louth Area
Patching works carried out at Rathneety, Tully, Rosslough, coolcreedan, Ballyoran Rd, Cuillenstown, Darver, Killincoole and on the Redmonds-Essexford Road. There was also Stump grinding and flailing on the N2 patching at Allardstown, Balytrasna, Springhill and Williamstown Contractors (Sam Wilkins Ltd and JC Drains) were working in Dromiskin on a long standing drainage Drainage outlets were opened at Allardstown, issue. JC Drains also cleaned a culvert on the Rathneety, Killincoole, Essexford – Corcreaghy and Tallanstown – Ardee road and a pipeline on the on the Stonestown Road. Fallen branches were Station road, Castlebellingham. removed at Coopers Cross. Damage done by vandals at the Killanny playground was repaired The playgrounds and lifebuoys were checked. and new signage at Ballyregan was erected. Ardee Municipal District Damaged speed signs on the Tallanstown – Ardee road were replaced and a damaged manhole cover South Louth Operations (Rural Area) in Dromiskin was repaired. New signage at Whitehouse Cross was put up and Road Repairs to the following roads: a damaged footpath at Duffys Cross was repaired.
Ashfield Cross to Dunleer. Rubbish was collected from Tallanstown and Louth Renewing Tactile Paving in Ardee town. Village and illegal dumping from the Bollies for the School lane Dunleer. Litter Warden. Sealing patches on the R170 from Dunleer Flailing was completed on the Tallanstown – Ardee to the M1 roundabout and at Dromin. road and around various junctions to improve LP 1260-31 Screedage Bridge. R165 Shanlis Cross. 27 | Page
LP2255-0 Styfans to Mullacurry. All CIS Schemes for 2020 are now completed. LS6238-0 Cloghen bridge to Cluide. RWP SLA 2020 Kilsaran appointed Drainage works to the following roads: Boycetown to Ferrard Cross – Completed. N52 Ballygowan. Milltown - Completed. R215 (Old N52) from Duffys Cross to Kellystown - Completed. Mapastown Bridge. Cockleroad - Completed. Duffy cross on the R166. Sliabh Breagh Ardee – Completed. LP 2223-0 Johnstown Dunany. R132 Dunleer - Completed. LP2226-24 Dorians to Drumcar. Environment LS 6238-0 Drumcar to Mountain road.
LS 5234 off Bog road Ardee. Cleaning of main streets in Ardee Town on a daily
basis. CIS Schemes Mc Quillans appointed
Collecting the litter bins in Ardee and Dunleer. Ballanfuil Kilcurry completed.
Ballymakellet Ravensdale completed. Maintaining the Bring/bottle banks to ensure all
remain clean.
Ring-buoys monitoring and maintenance on weekly basis.
Parks
Maintenance and cleaning of Fairgreen and Dunleer parks and playgrounds complete with daily checks of the playground, & exercise equipment at both locations.
Verge and Hedge cutting ongoing.
Borough District of Drogheda
Townley Hall before CIS Works Drogheda Town Area
Roads
Road pavement repairs – at Cherrymount estate , Bryanstown cross route, Chord road, Ballymakenny road and Francis street.
Drainage maintenance is continuing on an ongoing basis at various locations throughout the Town including the cleaning of road gullies, replacing damaged covers. Repair to broken manhole covers –various areas – 47 Marley’s Lane gully repair.
Footpaths repair commenced and are ongoing Finished Mary’s Villas. Westcourt trial bituminous material around base of trees. Repaired tactile paving at Shop Street and Bolton Street.
Townley Hall after CIS works 28 | Page
Repairs to road signage and bollards ongoing Drogheda, and South Louth area – Taxi signs at Bring Bank maintenance and clearance of illegally Shop Street, installed Bollards at Ashfield to disposed waste, plus disinfecting against COVID- eliminate vehicles mounting footpath. 19. In addition some Clothes Banks were removed because of poor maintenance by service providers Sand bags distribution, collection and filling around -- ongoing. town and district area in expectation of flooding/adverse weather conditions. Lifebuoys Monitoring and maintenance on weekly basis – ongoing. Other road maintenance operations such as maintaining and replacing road signage, traffic light Clearing of back lanes and steps in Drogheda town maintenance and barrier replacement was centre. undertaken at various locations throughout the Town, West Street public feature light – repair to Dog waste receptacles – clearing and disinfecting same. ongoing.
Road markings to regulate parking and maintain Parks traffic flows are continuing on an ongoing basis throughout the Town. Works are prioritised due to Checking playgrounds, skate park & exercise limited resources. Traffic Calming road markings equipment – (urban & rural areas), are also being carried out throughout the Town. Hanging baskets & window boxes floral display are Environment in the process of being removed from around town and bridges The crew are involved in daily emptying of town litter bins, street sweeping, litter picking, removal of Weeding and pruning at various areas, e.g., John illegal waste disposal such as beds, trolleys, Paul Court, Buttergate, Matthews Lane, Carna clothes, mattresses, cardboard, tyres, wooden Brugha, beds along Dublin road at Stameen, Fr. pallets and sofas at various locations around town Connolly Way, Peter street, Rathmullen road, and Drogheda District area – e.g., North Strand and Grove Hill, Watery Hill, Donore road. steps, Lourdes Square , William Street, Bridge of Peace, Bessexwell Lane, Twenties Lane, Hedge cutting in progress. Highlanes steps, , Watery Hill steps, Stameen, Slane road, Boyle O’Reilly, Scarlet Street, Waste Management and Environment Buttergate, Fair street, Rope walk & O’Reilly’s car Report park – illegal dumping removed this month totaled 270kgs. Waste Management
Also, the removal of pallets gathered for Halloween Waste Enforcement from dangerous areas, e.g., residential properties. Tyres gathered for same removed by Messrs. AES There are a number of Waste Management Act following LCC’s request. related cases going through the District Court, Circuit Court (appeals and DPP case) and the High Installation of 4 No. Compactor public litter bins at Court at present. Peter street, behind Town Centre, West Street at Dominic’s street junction, and George’s Street Litter Enforcement beside Dominic’s chipper. Repairs to and replacement of existing bins. A total of 23 fines were issued in the month of October. Of these fines, 3 were issued in the Removal of unauthorised bench used for anti-social Dundalk urban area, 14 in Drogheda urban area behaviour from Yellowbatter. and 6 in the remaining County wide area. There were 2 fines issued for dog fouling in October. Graffiti removal ongoing, e.g. public car parks and There have been 1,512 investigations with 439 road signs. fines issued to date in 2020. 29 | Page
Consultation between the Local Authority, EPA, Diesel Laundering Waste LAWpro and other public bodies/stakeholders took place in October 2020 to discuss and finalise areas A total of 46 IBCs of diesel sludge were recovered for action (AFA) for the 3rd phase of the River in October 2020. The approximate cost of clean-up Basin Management Plan 2022 to 2027. and disposal of the material is €57,430. There were 4 incidences of laundered diesel waste in October, These areas for action for Louth include the at the M1, Captains Road, Kilacleassy Road and at Whiteriver, Flurry/Ballymascalon, Termonfeckin and Toberona/Scotch Green. So far in 2020 a total of Dee Catchments. The agreed Border Regional AFA 142 IBCs, at a cost of €188,533. Approx., have for the Border Regions will then be combined with been recovered. the shortlist from the other regions and a national list will be published in the draft RBMP in MyWaste December 2020. The draft River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) is scheduled for A total of 5570 households have been surveyed to December 2020. Public Consultations on the draft date in Ardee and Dundalk Municipal Areas. RBMP will take place from Dec 2020 to June 2021. Surveys are ongoing to establish the level of compliance with Waste Presentation byelaws. Climate Change These will be followed up with an information campaign to inform the public of their The Climate Action team has reported on progress responsibilities in relation to domestic waste. on actions made in the past year in the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to the Climate Action Air / Water / Noise Pollution Regional Office. A master progress report, collating data and information from all Local Authorities There were three water pollution complaints nationwide, will be submitted to the Department of received during October 2020 which were Communications, Climate Action and Environment. investigated. Two complaints are closed off with one open. With regard to legal actions, one case under Section 3 of the Local Government (Water pollution) Act 1977 as amended, which was scheduled for hearing during October 2020, has been adjourned until December 2020 and relates to a private pumping station in Drogheda. Four air pollution cases and one noise pollution complaint were received during October 2020.
RMCEI (Recommended Criteria for Environmental Inspections)
A review of the RMCEI inspection plan for Louth was carried out with the EPA during October 2020 with discussions around inspection numbers, levels of compliance and outcomes. Inspection numbers have been revised and/or amended where appropriate while taking into account national priorities in water, waste air and noise.
Water Framework/River Basin Management Plans
The Local Authority waters catchment assessment is on-going with field work currently being carried out in the Castletown catchment. Initial desktop studies have commenced in the Glyde catchment. 30 | Page
Veterinary Services Control of Horses Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) Control of Horses Act 1996 As of 31/10/2020, Louth County Council Veterinary Control of Horses Bye-Laws 2003 Section, under a Service Level Agreement with the FSAI, enforces food safety standards on 15 meat Horses impounded plants under its supervision in the County. October 2020 Control of Dogs Horses seized, and reason for seizure: 0 Control of Dogs Act 1986 Horses reclaimed by 0 Dogs impounded owner October 2020 Horses rehomed 0
Horses disposed of 0 Total dogs impounded 10 No of horses on hand Strays 5 in Pound on 0 31/10/2020 Surrendered by 5 owners Dog Breeding Establishments No dogs reclaimed by 2 owners Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 No of dogs rehomed direct 3 No of dogs rehomed to 8 Dog Breeding Establishments welfare groups No of dogs on hand in October 2020 0 Pound at 31/10/2020 Total no of registered DBE’s in 6 Louth (as at 31/10/2020)
Hunt 2 Dog Licences Boarding Kennels 2 October 2020 No of Licences sold 625 Training Kennels 1 Welfare 1 Licence Checks:
House calls 580 Dogs rehomed / reclaimed from the Pound during October 2020 Section 16 Notices issued (request to produce 145 licence within 10 days) Fixed Penalty Notices 45
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Corporate and Emergency Services Seirbhísí Corporáideacha agus Éigeandála
This Directorate has two key areas of responsibility:
Corporate Services – the maintenance and development of systems which facilitate the effective running of our Council, including Human Resources, and Information and Communications Technology.
Emergency Services – including the Fire Service, Civil Defence, Water Safety, and the planning and implementation of strategies which help to keep our citizens safe.
Other responsibilities include Sustainable Energy.
Tá dhá eochairfhreagrachta ag an Stiúrthóireacht seo:
Seirbhísí Corparáideacha – ag cothabháil agus forbairt chórais atá baint leis an reáchtáil éifeachtach na Comhairle, agus Acmhainní Daonna, agus Techneolaíocht Faisnéise agus Chumarsáide san áireamh
Seirbhísí Éigeandála – Seirbhís Dóiteáin, Cosaint Shibhialta, Sábháilteacht Uisce san áireamh, agus ag pleanáil agus ag cur i bhfeidhm straitéisí chun chabhrú le muintir Chontae Lú a bheith slán sábháilte
Freagracht eile ag an Stiúthóireacht seo ná Fuinneamh Inbhunaithe.
Joe McGuinness Director / Stiúrthóir
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Corporate & Emergency Services Corporate
The Corporate Directorate remit includes During the month of October Customer the central services required to maintain Services dealt with 12,100 queries – 6,988 and administer Louth County Council, and calls, 3,626 counter queries and 1,486 e- includes Corporate, Human Resources and mails. Information Communication Technology. Emergency Services includes all elements There were 3,520 valid SugarCRM cases of the Fire Service including Major recorded during October of which 470 Emergency Management and the provision (13%) remain unresolved. of Civil Defence Services.
Percentage of queries dealt with at first point of contact
90%
80%
70% Jan 60% Feb March 50% July 40% August 30% Sept
20% Oct
10%
0% Telephone Calls Desk Queries Email Queries
The table below illustrates activity in the redress area.
2019 Year to Date 2020 Year to Date October 2020 Freedom of Information 85 105 12 Data Protection 8 9 0 Access to Information on Environment 8 5 1 Ombudsman 14 8 1 Complaints Policy 7 16 1
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Electoral Register Better Energy Communities Grant 2018 & 2019
Work is continuing on the draft Electoral Register The Energy section is still pursuing the payment of which will be published in November. A further the final grants for 2018 & 2019 with SEAI. series of letters requesting Eircode details were issued recently. The members should encourage Interreg EV Infrastructure bid for Sustainable the return of these letters along with any necessary Transport - Electric Vehicles Rapid Chargers corrections or additions and also to encourage those to respond to letters already issued. The The result of this application has not been received Eircode exercise is providing an excellent validation yet. of the register and will result in some individual amendments to polling places. VARCITIES H2020 Stage 2 Applications The on-line portal is also available for qualified The initial meeting of partners took place remotely persons to make an application for inclusion or on 9th to 11th September. The Council’s project, the amendment to the Draft Register of Electors:- creation of an outdoor learning hub in the courtyard https://ww.louthcoco.ie/en/services/electoral- of Dundalk library, aims to increase the use and register/registeronline2021-22/ linkage of the area as a sustainable universal access space and is a continuation of the Market Information Communication Technology Square, Clanbrassil Street and Church Street Remote working public realm rejuvenation. The energy team are currently developing baseline The IT department continue to work with our parameters (e.g. number of visitors / day and colleagues across the organization to facilitate duration of stay, reasons for visiting, number of remote working for Council staff where appropriate. attractions for visitors, air quality, and mode of Recently the IT Department worked alongside the transport of visitors) that will be monitored during HR Department to facilitate remote interviews for the project development – with particular focus on employment competitions which were very the number of users of the space at present successful. GenComm Interreg Energy Storage Project, Service Delivery France, Germany and B Members are encouraged to review the project To date this year the IT Departments Service website for an up-date on progress and in particular Delivery Team have received 4,492 incidents for more detail from the project on the potential for through our IT Help Desk. This continues to be an hydrogen use as a Sustainable Energy source. The important service to ensure the organisation’s IT project partners consider how hydrogen offers the Incidents/Requests are resolved. opportunity to make energy production a primary driver of the economy rather than responding to the Digital Contact Tracing needs of the economy as at present. https://www.nweurope.eu/projects/project- The IT Department are currently working with the search/gencomm-generating-energy-secure- Health & Safety unit to design a digital contact communities/ tracing solution for staff within the council. This will dramatically reduce the paper required in the current process and will allow for a more Fire & Emergency Services streamlined process overall.
More severe Covid 19 pandemic restrictions for the Sustainable Energy fire service were reinstated once Level 5 restrictions commenced. The primary focus was on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance keeping crews separate from one another. The measures included the deferral of all external The data indicates that the Council remains ahead training courses in Dundalk Training Centre and the of its 2020 energy efficiency target for Public Sector deferral of all internal courses which would have Organisations. involved more than one crew. They also included Covid controls at incidents. The Training Centre 34 | Page had been booked up until the end of 2020 and it is continued by tele-conference during October. expected that the deferred courses will be These meetings have included personnel from the rescheduled in early 2021. There is a reduction in three Principal Response Agencies, the Councils, income from Dundalk Training Centre as a result of HSE and AGS. Covid restrictions.
The Incident Table below for the third quarter of 2020 shows an increase from 289 incidents in 2019 to 307 incidents in 2020. This is mainly accounted for by an increase in house fires. When these numbers are added to the previous quarter, there is expected to be a large increase in the total number of incidents in 2020, compared to 2019. The average mobilisation times for fires in the third quarter in Dundalk and Drogheda fulltime brigades are approximately 1¼ minutes which is lower than the 2019 third quarter average. Retained average mobilisation times have also reduced compared with 2019.
A media press release and a radio interview were arranged to advise the public on the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of fires and injuries during Halloween. There were six callouts in Drogheda and smaller numbers in Dundalk and Ardee.
A new retained fire fighter completed his three weeks recruits course in Castlebar and is now in service with Drogheda retained brigade. A second retained fire fighter recruit for Drogheda is awaiting a place on recruit’s course (deferred due to Covid). Recruitment efforts are continuing in other retained brigades.
All public assembly licence applications are now received on line. The number of annual Dance Licence renewals for hotels, nightclubs and other places of assembly was reduced this year. The Fire Prevention Section has four such applications which are adjourned pending a resolution of fire safety issues.
The Fire and Building Control Section is continuing its fire safety inspection and enforcement activity during the period of Level 5 restrictions. A briefing for the Housing Section in relation to Fire Safety and HAP referrals is planned for 11th November.
Major Emergency Management
Regional Major Emergency Steering and Working
Group meetings in relation to Covid have
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Incident Types in Station Areas: Quarter 3 2020
Other Type Ardee Carlingford Dunleer Drogheda Dundalk Meath Areas Total Fire/Alarm Activation 3 2 3 20 19 3 50 Fire/Bus/Coach Fire/Car 1 1 7 5 2 16 Fire/Caravan 1 1 Fire/Chimney 1 2 1 4 Fire/Domestic 4 3 2 11 9 2 1 32 Fire/Persons Reported 1 2 4 7 Fire/Fire (General) 1 1 6 6 14 Fire/Forest 1 1 Fire/Gorse 2 3 5 Fire/Grass 9 2 5 16 Fire/Hay/Barn Fire/Industrial 1 1 Fire/Institutional 1 1 Fire/Oil/Petrol Fire/Small/Bin/Skip 1 2 1 56 11 7 78 Fire/Smoke Issuing Fire/Truck 1 1 1 3 SS/Alarm/Carbon Monoxide 1 1 SS/Ambulance Assist 1 1 5 8 15 SS/Animal Rescue 1 1 SS/Electrical 1 1 1 3 SS/Flooding 1 1 2 SS/Garda Assist 1 1 2 SS/Gas Leak 1 2 2 5 SS/Hazardous Material 1 1 SS/Lift Persons Trapped 2 2 SS/Lockout 1 1 2 SS/Make Scene Safe 1 1 2 4 SS/Oil Spillage 1 1 2 SS/Other 3 1 4 SS/River Rescue SS/RTA 3 3 2 8 8 10 34 SS/Smell of Gas SS/Water Leak Total no. of Incidents: 15 15 16 135 89 36 1 307
Average Mobilisation Times (H:M:S) Quarter 3 – 2020 Time to Mobilisation
Fire Non Fire
Ardee LH11A1 00:05:49 00:06:09
Carlingford LH12A1 00:04:56 00:05:03 Dunleer LH13A1 00:04:17 00:05:20 Drogheda LH14A1 00:01:17 00:01:31 LH14A2 00:06:25 00:05:28
Dundalk LH15A1 00:01:14 00:01:43
LH15A2 00:06:00 00:06:32
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Civil Defence
All local training has been suspended, with the exception of mandatory or essential training, due to Covid Level 5 restrictions. Activities during October included: Two manual handling recertification classes completed People handling class completed One Covid19 activity completed (supplies delivered to direct provision for a local
charity)
Water Safety
We are at the end of the Beach Lifeguard Season. Normal inspection regimes will continue with regard to lifebuoys and signage.
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Housing and Quality of Life
Tithíocht agus Cáilíocht na Beatha
This Directorate has two key responsibilities:
Housing, which encompasses all initiatives which aim to match need and available resources in a sustainable way throughout our county
Quality of Life, a wide range of initiatives and programmes designed to make living in Louth a stimulating, safe and rewarding experience, including the arts, heritage, and our libraries
Tá dhá eochairfhreagracht ag an Stiúrthóireacht seo:
Tithíocht, a chuimsíonn gach tionscnamh agus de chuspóir acu ná na riachtanais agus na haicmhainní ar fad atá ar fail a chur le chéile go hinbhuanaithe ar fud ár gcontae
Cáilíocht na Beatha, réimse leathan tionscnaimh agus cláir atá deartha chun saol spreagúil, sásúil, sábháilte a chur ar fail i gContae Lú, na healaíona, an oidhreacht, agus ár leabharlanna san áireamh
Paddy Donnelly Director / Stiúrthóir
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Housing Female 27
Total 100 Pillar 1 Addressing Homelessness
As the Responsible Housing Authority for the North Table 2: Age Groups East Region, Louth County Council continues to manage this area and achieve the goals set out in Age Group Total the North East Homelessness Action Plan, 2013- 17. The work done within Louth can be 18-24 12 summarised as follows: 25-44 57
45-64 21
Presentations of 65+ 10 October 2020 Total 100 Ardee MD DundalkMD Total
13 185 166DDrogheda BD 364 Number of Person who Table 3: Accommodation Type presented as Homeless
Offered advice, support 13 165 133 311 Accommodation Type Total (including fast tracking H.A. Private Emergency 27 for Rent Supplement Accommodation (PEA) eligibility) Supported Temporary 51 Placed in Temporary 00 10 13 23 Accommodation (STA) Emergency Temporary Emergency 22 Accommodation Accommodation (low Refused Offer of 00 05 06 11 support)(TEA) Temporary Emergency Unique Total (note, clients may 0 Accommodation have accessed multiple accommodation types during the Not eligible from outside 00 05 14 19 week) county or non HRC Minus people accessing multiple 0 accommodation types during the The tables below reflect monthly returns submitted week to the Department with regard to Homeless Total unique individuals numbers in the NORTH EAST REGION between 100 19th – 25th October 2020 .
This anonymous and aggregated return of all Table 4: County individuals accessing emergency accommodation is returned to the Department of Housing on a County Total monthly basis. County Louth 82
Table 1: Gender County Monaghan 16 County Cavan 02 Gender Total Total 100 Male 73
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Table 5 - Families with dependent children guidelines in respect of social and physical breakdown distancing.
Isolation units have been made available for homeless persons with suspected/confirmed cases
of Covid-19 and protocols have been drawn up to address such cases.
No. of of No. families with dependent of children No. Individual of Adults No. Dependents The full range of Homeless Services continue to be Individuals 3 3 7 provided remotely and the office is available to with staff, on request, in exceptional cases. dependent children Inspections of Private Emergency Total 3 3 7 Accommodation
Couples with 0 0 0 Since December 2017 the Homeless Office have dependent carried out random and unannounced inspections children on all B&BS, Hotels and Hostels providing Private Total 0 0 0 Emergency Accommodation on behalf of Louth County Council. This will continue on a monthly basis subject to Covid 19 Restrictions.
Housing First Housing Assistance Payment Louth Monaghan Cavan Total The total number of applications in HAP is 3255
Number of 10 2 2 14 tenancies Ardee Dundalk Drogheda established Municipal Municipal Borough Total Number of 9 2 2 13 District District District individuals currently in 336 1717 1202 3255 tenancy
Pillar 2 Accelerate Social Housing Covid 19
Homeless Services Over the period 2018 to 2021, a target has been
set for the provision of 1074 units with an annual As a direct response to the risk of communal target of 520 units in 2019. These targets will spread of the Covid-19 virus amongst vulnerable include matters such as Part V provision, individuals in Homeless Hostels, the Council has Acquisitions, Mortgage to Rents, Long Term opened up a number of void properties and Leases, Repair and Lease and Buy & Renew temporarily decanted individuals and families from Acquisitions. The 2019 - 2020 delivery pipeline hostel accommodation into in these Units. progress is detailed at the end of the Housing
report. This has allowed these persons to live in a more isolated environment thereby decreasing the risk of Social Housing Schemes infection. Contracted service providers have continued to provide meals and high level support Louth County Council welcomed the completion of to these clients. 13 new social homes as part of Phase 1 Gort Buí
Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda. The Hostels and family Hub continue to operate with reduced capacity, which reflects government
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This is the first of a total of 5 phases that are to be Housing List (excluding HAP Transfers) delivered under this Scheme.
The homes in this phase are all 3 bed A Rated properties.
Dundalk MD Drogheda BD Total Month Ardee MD October 342 649 608 1599
Transfer List from HAP
Dundalk Droghed Total Month Ardee MD BD
October 336 1717MD 1202 3255
Gort Buí, Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda There are a total of 246 applicants on the list for transfer (Non-HAP) within Social Housing including 19 applications from the Approved Housing Allocations as at Housing Bodies 31st October 2020 Rent Management
The number of tenants who pay rent by Household Budget is now 1006
Current Rents Number Value Social Social Arrears as at 31st of Numbers Allocated Voluntary Voluntary Refusals Refusals – Refusals – Allocations- Allocations - October 2020 Account Rents between 4-6 201 €66,863.00 89 04 03 01 Ardee MD weeks old Rents between 7-12 165 €107,175.00 103 94 13 Dundalk MD 22 weeks old Rents greater than 12 856 €3,012,784.00 23 62 02 Drogheda BD 09 weeks old
Total Allocations 215 160 18 32 TOTAL 1222 €3,186,822.00
Pillar 3
Transfers Approved within Social Housing at Build More Homes 31st October 2020 The Council continue to maintain land banks in the Year Ardee Dundalk Drogheda following locations, which can be developed if an appropriate project and funding is forthcoming. 2020 1 13 4
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Location Acrerage The following table summarises the level of Mullavalley, Louth Village 8.82 maintenance and works activity to existing stock. Kilkerley 3.80
Ballymakenny 16.53 Total Maintenance This month Point Road 5.2 (YTD) Various Individual Sites 0 No. of Maintenance 4110 445 Pillar 4 Requests Received No. of Maintenance 2831 243 Improve the Rented Sector Completed
Last Total Vacant Properties Month No. of properties inspected 30 490 Currently 25 No. social units have been used s October 2020 temporary accommodation for isolation or No. of advisory notes issued to 61 404 additional homeless need during Covid 19 and are landlord not included in the next table. No. of improvement notices 44 125 issued No. of prohibition notices 01 16 Vacant Properties Total issued No. of Rent Book Notices 0 0 Ardee Municipal issued District 07 Inspections ( HAP ) 29 367 Dundalk Municipal Improvement Notices ( HAP) 44 117 District 53
Private Inspections Complaints 00 8 Drogheda Borough District 43 HAP Complaints 00 17 Total Re Lets RAS Compliaints 00 00 103 Vacant Properties Re Inspections HAP 02 73 CPO Units not yet 11 ready for occupation Re Inspections Hap Compliance 01 12 (all county)
Re Inspections RAS 00 0 Total No. of CPO Re Inspections RAS Compliance 00 Properties (Relets & 114 AHB Inspection 00 3 CPO’s) Long Term Leases 00 2
Pillar 5 Grant Assistance to the Elderly and Disabled
Utilise Existing Housing The private grant process is continuing with some changes to procedure to reflect social distancing Vacant Home Initiatives 2019/2020 guidelines.
The following grants are available
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Housing Adaption Grants - Priority 1, which will assist those who need whole time care in Estate Management the home Drogheda Dundalk Total Housing for Older People – Priority 1 to works BD & MD that will preserve the integrity of the dwelling Ardee MD Pre Tenancy 02 08 10 Mobility Aids Grants - Priority 1, which will Training assist those who need whole time, care in the Tenancy 26 25 51 home. Investigations (call outs) Combined funding allocation of €1,837,369 Tenancy 46 33 79 from Department of Housing Planning & Local Investigations Government of which €367,474 is to be (remotely) provided by Council’s own revenue. Tenancy 07 21 28 Inspections Caretaker 02 00 02 Private House Grants Agreement
Status HOP HAG MAG Total Anti-Social Behavior New 63 55 23 141 Applications DBD AMD DMD TOTAL Received ASB 2020 Cases Applications 60 55 10 125 ASB 09 02 14 25 Completed Ongoing 2020 ASB 09 01 04 14 Applications 55 60 15 120 Completed currently Total ASB 18 03 18 39 being processed in 2020 DBD AMD DMD Total
ASB Verbal 05 01 10 16 Warning
ASB 09 01 12 22 Written Warning Total ASB 14 02 22 38
No Warning Letters issued.
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Delivery Stream Rebuilding Ireland Projected Delivery 2018-2021 2018 2019 2020 2021 Total SHIP CONSTRUCTION 0 0 0 17 17 SHIP CONSTRUCTION RAPID 0 0 0 0 0 REGENERATION 0 0 0 22 22 CAS CONSTRUCTION 1 0 0 40 41 SHIP CONSTRUCTION SINGLE STAGE 23 26 12 03 64 SHIP CONSTRUCTION TURNKEY 0 5 142 23 170 SHIP Competitive Dialogue 0 0 0 0 0 CAS CONSTRUCTION TURNKEY & CAS 0 0 0 12 12 SINGLE STAGE PPP 0 0 80 0 80 AHB CALF Construction 10 15 2 0 27 AHB CALF Turnkey 119 188 42 298 647 CALF Part V 14 115 3 6 138 LA Part V 4 0 6 7 17 CAS Part V 0 0 0 0 0
Definitions
AHB = Approved Housing Body Voids = new addition to the report requested by Department of Housing, Planning & Local CAS = Capital Assistance Scheme which Government. provides 100% funding to AHBs to build or acquire units for disabled or homeless SHCEP = Social Housing Current Expenditure applicants with a non- repayment mortgage in Programme SHCEP supports the delivery of favour of the Housing Authority to ensure that social housing by providing financial support the Housing Authority has both nomination to local authorities and Approved Housing rights and security over the asset created by Bodies (AHBs) for the long term leasing of public funds. houses and apartments from private owners and developers. CALF = Capital Advance Loan Fund which provides Department funding for up to 30% funding to AHBs to provide units for general use on the basis that they enter into a Payment and Availability agreement with the Housing Authority who will provide all the tenant nominations.
CPO = Compulsory Purchase Scheme allows the local authority to land or property without the consent of the owner by means of a compulsory purchase order (CPO). This is being used to acquire vacant or derelict houses which are being returned to use as social housing units.
IPS = Incremental Purchase Scheme
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Project Name Project Total Approved Project Status Date Phase Units Housing Body / Expec Louth County ted Council 20 De la Salle Crescent, Ardee 1 Louth County Sale Agreed 2020 A92FV38 Council
Reaghastown, Ardee A92VX36 1 Louth County Sale Agreed 2020 Council Ballinard, Kilkerley A92V594 1 Louth County Sale Agreed 2020 Council 8 Cul na Raithe, Dundalk 1 Louth County Sale Agreed 2020 A92K8KR Council
151 Castleross, Dundalk 1 Louth County Sale Agreed 2020 A91D6C0 Council
174 Moneymore, Drogheda 1 Louth County Sale Agreed 2020 A92RP8E Council
178 Moneymore, Drogheda 1 Louth County Conveyancing 2020 A92EH59 Council
4 Railway Cottages, 1 Louth County Conveyancing 2020 Jenkinstown A91FX58 Council
128 Newfield, Drogheda 1 Louth County Conveyancing 2020 A92EC52 Council
22 Edenhill, The Loakers, 1 Louth County Conveyancing 2020 Blackrock, A91W3KT Council
44 Woodbury Gardens, Dundalk 1 Housing Agency Conveyancing 2020
36 Windmill Road, Drogheda, 1 Acquistion Conveyancing 2020 Co. Louth
18 The Park, Riverbank, 1 RAS Conveyancing 2020 Drogheda 13 Ard Na Tuire, Dromiskin, Co. 1 LTL Conveyancing 2020 Louth 96 Cedarfield, Drogheda, Co. 1 LTL Conveyancing 2020 Louth
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41 Rockfield Manor, Dundalk, 1 Acquistion Conveyancing 2020 Co. Louth 55 Bellingham Green, 1 Conveyancing 2020 Castlebellingham A91NR58
CPO All bundles 2019 - Q3 03-Apr 6 Louth County Onsite 30/09/2019 Delivery Council
CPO All bundles 2019 - Q4 04-Apr 7 Louth County Onsite 31/12/2019 Delivery Council
1-5 Brabazon Hall, 01-Jan 3 Louth County Onsite 31/01/2020 Termonfeckin Council
Tierney Street, Ardee 01-Jan 7 Oaklee Housing Stage 3 01/02/2020 Trust Approved
Gort Bui, Ballymakenny Road, 04-May 10 Louth County Onsite 12/02/2020 Drogheda Council
36 Strand Hill, Clogherhead 01-Jan 4 St. John of God Stage 1 31/03/2020 Housing Approved Association Ltd CPO All bundles 2020 Delivery 01-Apr 5 Louth County Onsite 20/05/2020 Q1 Council Knockshee Close, Blackrock, 01-Jan 3 Cluid Housing Completed 20/06/2020 Co Louth
Ravel Ardee Road, Dunleer 01-Jan 80 Oaklee Housing Completed 17/06/2020 Trust
Greengates 01-Jan 44 Louth County Completed 26/06/2020 Council
Harbour Grove, Dundalk, Co. 01-Jan 8 North & East Onsite 30/06/3030 Louth Housing Association Ltd St. John's Home, Peter's Hill, 01-Jan 4 North ＆ East Stage 1 30/06/2020 Drogheda, Co. Louth Housing Approved Association Ltd
CPO All bundles 2020 Delivery 02-Apr 5 Louth County Onsite 30/06/2020 Q2 Council
Lismullen Grove, Dundalk, Co 01-Mar 6 Tuath Onsite 30/06/2020 Louth
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The Kitchen Garden, Demesne 02-May 38 Cluid Housing Funding 01/07/2020 Road, Dundalk Approved
Rathmullen Road, Drogheda, 07-Jul 12 Túath Housing Completed 31/07/2020 Co. Louth (Tuath) Association Ltd
Bishops Court, Dundalk, Co 01-Jan 2 Túath Housing Onsite 31/08/2020 Louth Association Ltd Wadman Park, Haynestown, 01-Mar 16 Louth County Onsite 31/08/2020 Dundalk Council
9, Dundalk, Co. Louth 01-Jan 13 North & East Onsite 30/09/2020 Housing Association Ltd
Wadman Park, Haynestown, 02-Mar 17 Louth County Onsite 02/10/2020 Dundalk Council
Gort Buí, Ballymakenny Road, 01-May 13 Louth County Onsite 15/10/2020 Drogheda Council
Barrack Street, Dundalk 01-Jan 27 Simon Stage 2 01/11/2020 Community : Approved Dundalk Simon Wadman Park, Haynestown, 03-Mar 29 Louth County Onsite 02/11/2020 Dundalk Council
Gort Bui, Ballymakenny Road, 02-May 9 Louth County Onsite 06/11/2020 Drogheda Council 5 Slieveroe Crescent, Dundalk 01-Jan 1 Cluid Housing Stage 3 30/11/2020 Association Approved
The Kitchen Garden, Demesne 01-May 27 Cluid Housing Funding 01/12/2020 Road, Dundalk Approved
Clonmore Close, Ardee, Co 01-Apr 12 Cluid Housing Proposal 04/12/2020 Louth
Gort Bui, Ballymakenny Road, 03-May 9 Louth County Onsite 11/12/2020 Drogheda Council Castletown Road Dundalk 6 01-Jan 6 Louth County Funding 31/12/2020 units Council Approved Single Stage Bridgegate Ardee 5 Agreed 31/12/2020
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CPO All bundles 2019 - Q4 04-Apr 12 Louth County Onsite 31/12/2020 Delivery Council CPO All bundles 2020 Delivery 03-Apr 1 Louth County Onsite 31/12/2020 Q3 Council CPO All bundles 2020 Delivery 04-Apr 9 Louth County Onsite 31/12/2020 Q4 Council Father Finn Park (Phase 2) 01-Jan 17 Louth County Onsite 27/02/2021 Council Lismullen Grove, Dundalk, Co 03-Mar 8 Tuath Onsite 28/02/2021 Louth Oriel Heights, Collon, Co Louth 01-Jan 13 North & East Funding 31/03/2021 Housing approved Association Ltd Clonmore Close, Ardee, Co 02-Apr 15 Cluid Housing Proposal 31/03/2021 Louth Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 01-Jul 7 Tuath Funding 31/03/2021 Louth Approved
Lismullen Grove, Dundalk, Co 02-Mar 7 Tuath Onsite 31/03/2021 Louth Harbour View, Coulter Place, 01-Feb 12 Cluid Housing Funding 31/03/2021 Dundalk Approved
Four Winds, Mullacapple, Collon 01-Jan 1 St. John of God Stage 2 31/03/2021 Housing Approved Association Ltd Racecourse Meadows, Dundalk, 01-Apr 45 Clanmil Funding 31/03/2021 Co. Louth Approved
Harbour View, Coulter Place, 02-Feb 12 Cluid Housing Funding 31/03/2021 Dundalk Approved Newtown View Marsh Road 01-Mar 40 Respond Funding 31/03/2021 Drogheda Approved
Hallidays Mill Quay St Dundalk 01-Jan 85 Co Operative Proposal 31/03/2021 Houisng Gort Bui, Ballymakenny Road, 04-May 8 Louth County Onsite 16/04/2021 Drogheda Council Clonmore Close, Ardee, Co 03-Apr 15 Cluid Housing Proposal 30/04/2021 Louth Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 02-Jul 9 Tuath Funding 30/06/2021 Louth Approved
Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 05-Jul 5 Tuath Funding 30/06/2021 Louth Approved
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Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 06-Jul 6 Tuath Funding 30/07/2021 Louth Approved
Racecourse Meadows, Dundalk, 02-Apr 22 Túath Housing Onsite 31/08/2021 Co. Louth Association Ltd Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 07-Jul 16 Tuath Funding 31/08/2021 Louth Approved
Clonmore Close, Ardee, Co 04-Apr 13 Cluid Housing Proposal 30/09/2021 Louth Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 07-Jul 12 Tuath Funding 30/09/2021 Louth Approved The Kitchen Garden, Demesne 03-May 21 Cluid Housing Funding 01/10/2021 Road, Dundalk Approved
Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 03-Jul 4 Tuath Funding 30/10/2021 Louth Approved
Cox's Demesne Phase 2B 01-Jan 22 Louth County Onsite 19/11/2021 Council Newfoundwell Road Drogheda 01-Feb Cluid Proposal 31/11/2021 Cathedral View, Dundalk, Co 04-Jul 6 Tuath Funding 31/12/2021 Louth Approved Racecourse Meadows, Dundalk, 03-Apr 6 Túath Housing Onsite 31/12/2021 Co. Louth Association Ltd
Racecourse Meadows, Dundalk, 04-Apr 7 Túath Housing Onsite 31/12/2021 Co. Louth Association Ltd
Newtown View Marsh Road 02-Mar 46 Respond Funding 31/12/2021 Drogheda Approved The Kitchen Garden, Demesne 04-May 5 Cluid Housing Funding 01/02/2022 Road, Dundalk Approved
The Kitchen Garden, Demesne 05-May 39 Cluid Housing Funding 01/08/2022 Road, Dundalk Approved
Newtown View Marsh Road 03-Mar 47 Respond Funding 30/08/2022 Drogheda Approved Moneymore, Drogheda - Infill 01-Jan 1 Louth County Funding 12/09/2022 Council Approved Single Stage Gort Uaine, Clogherhead - Infill 01-Jan 1 Louth County Funding 12/09/2022 Council Approved Single Stage
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School Lane, Dunleer - Infill 01-Jan 1 Louth County Funding 12/09/2022 Council Approved Single Stage
Newfoundwell Road 02-Feb Cluid Proposal 30/09/2022
Boice Court (Phase 2 - 4) 01-Jan 68 Louth County Stage 1 20/10/2022 Council Approved
Mount Avenue, Dundalk 01-Jan 93 Louth County Stage 1 06/12/2022 Council Approved Muirhevnamor, Dundalk Phase 01-Jan 18 Louth County Stage 1 28/02/2022 1 Council Approved
Rathmullen Park, Drogheda - 01-Jan 4 Louth County Funding 12/012/2022 Infill Council Approved Single Stage
Tullybrook 01-Jan 4 Cluid Housing Onsite 31/12//2022
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Communities and Sport 2nd Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk 1st Manydown Close, Dundalk Louth in Bloom 2020 Best Garden 3rd Elizabeth O Grady, Old Grange, Carlingford On Wednesday 28th October Louth County Council 2nd Eugene O’Shaughnessy, St Alphonsus Road, conducted the Louth in Bloom 2020 Awards virtual Dundalk ceremony. 1st John & Geraldine Conachy, 306, Greenacres, The format of this competition was new as with Dundalk current Covid-19 restrictions in place this was the Best Biodiversity Project safest way in which to organise and recognise the Famine Graveyard, Dundalk marvellous work that people undertake to beautify Best Presented Hospitality Premises their community and our county. Rosemount B&B, Dublin Road, Dundalk Prizes were given out to many categories including Best Presented Business Premises housing estates, best gardens, hospitality and Quinn’s Funeral Home, Dundalk business premises, best biodiversity award and a lifetime achievement award. The full listing of all prize recipients’ are set out in the following four tables.
Ardee Municipal District Category A Estates ,< 50 houses 3rd Glyde Road, Tallanstown 2nd Rath Ban, Dromiskin 1st Sea view, Annagassan Category B Estates 51-125 houses 2nd Ferdia Estate, Ardee 1st Church View, Dromiskin Category C Estates > 125 houses 1s t Sliabh Breagh, Ardee Overall County Best Garden- 306 Greenacres, Dundalk Best Garden 3rd Jim Reynolds, 10 Seaview, Ballygassan Borough District of Drogheda 2nd Ann O’Rourke, 1 Cappocksgreen, Ardee Category A Estates ,< 50 houses 1st Eilish Gosling, Louth Hall, Tallanstown 3rd Killineer Cottages, Drogheda Best Biodiversity Project 2nd Castlewood, Drogheda 1st Harmony Heights, Drogheda Kevin & Geraldine Lynch,Polbrook,Stabannon Best Presented Hospitality Premises Category B Estates 51-125 houses rd Sheridans B & B, Louth Hall, Tallanstown 3 Beaubec, Drogheda nd Best Presented Business Premises 2 Bryanstown, Drogheda st The Glyde Inn, Annagassan 1 Forest Grange, Drogheda Category C Estates > 125 houses rd 3 Oriel Cove, Clogherhead nd Dundalk Municipal District 2 Stameen, Drogheda st Category A Estates ,< 50 houses 1 Wheaton Hall, Drogheda 3rd Woodview Park, Dundalk Best Garden rd 2nd Belfry Gardens, Dundalk 3 Andrew Martyn, 27 Matson Lodge, 1st Carroll Mead, Dundalk Drogheda nd Category B Estates 51-125 houses 2 Maureen O’Reilly, Termonfeckin st 3rd Cooley Park, Dundalk 1 Josephine Moran, 23 Georgian Close, 2nd Willow Grove, Dundalk Drogheda 1st St Oliver’s Park, Carlingford Best Biodiversity Project Category C Estates > 125 houses Monasterboice Tourism Group 3rd Glenwood, Dundalk 51 | Page
Best Presented Hospitality Premises become more active throughout the year. It should Morning Star Pub, Tullyallen directly lead to greater inclusivity and wellbeing. Best Presented Business Premises The previous pitch was unplayable following Maddens Maxol Garage, Termonfeckin inclement weather and the new facility has been
warmly welcomed by the pupils and staff of the OVERALL COUNTY WINNERS school. Category A Estates ,< 50 houses Harmony Heights, Drogheda
Category B Estates 51-125 houses St Oliver’s Park, Carlingford Category C Estates > 125 houses Wheaton Hall, Drogheda Best Overall Garden John Conachy, 306 Greenacres, Dundalk Best Overall Presented Business Premises
Quinn’s Funeral Home, Dundalk Best Overall Presented Hospitality Premises CLÁR 2020 Rosemount B & B, Dundalk Best Overall Biodiversity Project Minister for Rural and Community Development, Monasterboice Tourism Group Heather Humphreys TD, announced the successful Lifetime Contribution Award projects to be funded under Measure 1 and Brendan Matthews, Tierney street, Ardee Measure 2 of CLÁR 2020. Only two successful projects selected for County Pride of Place 2020 Louth Safety signage at Bush The Omeath community was selected to represent Public toilets upgrade at Gyles Quay Louth in this year’s Pride of Place Competition. The format of the competition was different this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Louth County Town and Village Renewal Scheme Council submitted a video of the Omeath community as their entry, under the Island and Works were recently completed for the upgrade of Costal Communities category. the cark park and surrounding area at Seapoint Beach in Termonfeckin. Funding of €100,000 was This video entry is available to view on Louth provided by the Department of Rural and County Council’s website. It demonstrates the Community Development for the project under the cohesion in their community and showcases the Town and Renewal Scheme 2018. beautiful scenery surrounding Omeath. Click the following link to view youtube video Seapoint received a Green Coast award in 2020 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvJ6ta813- and it is very popular with walkers who enjoy the jIJ9VzSdfGb2KdI4QP4maS8 long stretch of sandy beach. It is expected that the improved facilities will increase the number of There will be a virtual awards ceremony to visitors to the area, particularly as there are two golf announce the winners, on Saturday 21st November links courses in close proximity to the beach. at 7pm, hosted on the Pride of Place website (details to follow) and compered by Mr. Marty LEADER Programme Morrissey. The LAG at its meeting, on 19th October, 2020 CLÁR approved funding support in the amount of €182,448.15 for a total of 7 LEADER projects. Works to provide an all-weather pitch at Locations of the projects approved for support Muchgrange National School were recently include Dromiskin, Tallanstown, Collon, Dundalk, completed. The pitch will allow the 140 pupils
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Drogheda and other locations throughout the 2021 and conduct some research on County. how young people are getting on at the moment in the county. Recently, Louth County Council paid out funding to 2 beneficiaries under the LEADER Programme:-
Promoter Amount Ionad na nDaoine an €49,289.42 tSlánaitheora Teoranta (Redeemer) ref 108050 (phase 3, final) Dundalk Media Centre €16,011.75 CLG ref 106460 TOTAL €65,301.17
Comhairle na nÒg
Louth Comhairle na nÓg have been very busy in the last number of months and have continued to meet on a weekly basis since restrictions were Topics for discussion include climate change, lifted on the 29th June. mental health, participation and getting young voices involved in decision making. The groups have completed their climate change project by developing bug hotels in each of the EU_SHAFE Project Comhairle centres in Dundalk, Ardee and Drogheda. This will be used as the theme for the Ongoing Conference calls with our EU_SHAFE up-coming Annual Meeting to be held on the 19th partners across Europe take place once a month November via Zoom. providing updates on the project. The Louth EU_SHAFE project was asked to make a short The groups are currently recruiting for the second video recording on the impact of Covid-19 on phase of their Peace 4 projects. The first phase SHAFE activities in the county and on the was very successful with over 80 young people EU_SHAFE project locally as part of Interreg taking part in training, study trips and networking Storytelling. events on a cross border basis. All projects have The Louth EU_SHAFE project will take part in the been extended into 2021 due to Covid 19. upcoming virtual Interregional Learning meeting which will be hosted by Hamburg. The Comhairle are undertaking a number of initiatives. These include:- Public Participation Network (PPN)
Supported the Darkness into Light event All 3 MD Meetings were held via Zoom in October in St Helena’s Park in Dundalk. This as follows:- event was used to remember family members and loved ones that have Dundalk – Monday 19th October been affected by suicide. Drogheda – Tuesday 20th October Ardee – Thursday 22nd October The groups are currently planning for their Annual Meeting and this year we PPN Members in attendance received updates have a very ambitious plan to take the from Secretariat and PPN Representatives on the meeting online for the first time. We plan various Boards and Committees they sit on. They to feedback on our work for 2020, were informed of plans to increase the two-way conduct a workshop on Carbon flow of communication between the Secretariat and Footprint, Recruit new members for PPN Members by linking each Secretariat Member 53 | Page
to the groups they were elected by. Quarterly emails will issue to all PPN Members from their relevant Secretariat Representative inviting them to submit any issues/concerns/feedback they would like addressed at future Secretariat Meetings.
A presentation was given by the Resource Worker on the 2020 PPN Action Plan, highlighting activity and expenditure to date.
Louth Volunteer Centre gave a presentation on Louth Community Call Forum Volunteering and advised of their upcoming Louth Volunteer Leaders Awards. On 27/10/2020 Chief Executive Joan Martin chaired a meeting of the expanded membership Forum. As An Election was held to replace the Ardee MD Rep the country enters a new phase in the management on the Secretariat. Beth Carragher from DeeHub of the Covid 19 pandemic response which includes was elected on the night to replace Sean Mc Clean. a specific campaign under the heading #keep well. This will be ratified at the Plenary Meeting Invitations have been extended and accepted by scheduled for November 26th via Zoom. representatives to join the Forum from youth services, disability services and suicide prevention The Autumn/Winter training schedule has services. commenced with ‘New Options for Funding’ The Forum were advised that Volunteer numbers provided by the Carmichael Centre taking place on remain strong and committed to assist the local Wednesday 21st October. The course was very response. informative and looked at new ways for Not-for- The Helpline number 1800 805817 is now available Profit organisations to fundraise during COVID-19. again from 8AM to 8PM seven days per week. All participants were very engaged in the course and feedback received has been very positive. Sports
Louth Sports Partnership (LSP) welcomes funding of €100,000 for Innovation in Physical Literacy. .A cartoon character will be created to help improve physical literacy for preschool children in County Louth. The programme has been delayed due to Covid-19 but it is hoped to be rolled out in 2021. Louth LSP and Dundalk Sports Centre are currently filming a range of online material to be release to keep people of all abilities and age ranges active
during the months ahead. The following courses will take place in November: We have being providing a wide variety of toolkits Thursday 5th November - Good and advice from government, CARA and Sport Governance by Irvine Training Ireland on what to do to remain active during covid- Wednesday 11th November - PPN 19. Links to All Activities can be found on LCC Representatives Training by Cramden Tech Website under Wellbeing during COVID-19 under Tuesday 17th November - Graphic Sports Activities. Design Skills by Cramden Tech https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/wellbeing-during-covid- Tuesday 24th November - GDPR 19/sports-activities/ Training by Cramden Tech Louth LSP have assisted Sport Ireland roll out a 30 Louth PPN purchased 600 branded reusable day challenge for Men 45+ to stop making excuses facemasks for distribution to PPN Members to and get more physical active for 30 minutes per assist them in providing physical services safely. day. Online workout will also be provided PPN Members have been invited to register their throughout the month with links on Louth County interest in receiving facemasks which will be posted out in early November. 54 | Page
Councils twitter page and Louth Sports Partnership local ABACUS School. They held a STEM Face book page. workshop with Go Fly Your Kite on October 5th. This involved 2 kite making sessions for 5 to 10 year olds and 13 to 16 year olds. 3 more planned workshops have been postponed until current restrictions are lifted.
Louth Library Service
While Louth Library Service is closed to the public Under Level 5 restrictions, staff are busy working behind closed doors, creating and delivering online programmes for the community as part of the Community Resilience – Keep Well Campaign. As part of this funding, Louth Library Service is The following services will continue during Level 5 working with AsIAm, the Autism advocacy group, to restrictions: conduct an environmental assessment of Dundalk, Streaming online content suitable for all ages in Drogheda and Ardee Libraries and to advise on line with our educational and cultural programming other supports needed to improve the library via our social media outlets and webpage. experience for people with sensory needs. Library eServices including Press Reader, online magazines books, audio books, online courses and Right to Read network programme language courses all accessible via https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/library/onlineservi Louth Library service are once again partnering ces/ with the Genesis programme this coming Library housebound service – we will continue to December to help support local families through proactively engage with vulnerable individuals and what has been a difficult year for all. deliver library stock as required. Louth Library service will deliver family crafts and online Christmas stories via the Genesis Family Dormant Accounts Funding Forum network.
DRDC recently announced funding under Dormant Children’s Book Festival Accounts for Library Supports for Marginalised, Socially Excluded and Disadvantaged Communities. In light of Covid-19 restrictions, funding is being tailored to focus on online programming, small group engagement and the provision of 400 online literacy and digital skills licences. These TTRS (Touch, Type, Read, Spell ) licences will be available to lend to DEIS schools, adults learners, non-English speakers and other marginalized groups.
Sensory Funding The festival ran throughout the month of October. Events where pivoted online this year with selected Following on from the installation of new sensory primary schools invited to Zoom webinars with equipment in Dundalk, Drogheda & Ardee Libraries, author Nicola Pierce and Maeve Devoy Drogheda Library have strengthened links with the
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Louth Festival of History 2020
This year’s was a great success and a successful experiment in digital methods of promoting and hosting commemorative events. The festival represented a continuation of the ambition of last year’s festival. All talks are still available via the webpage www.Louthhistoryfestival.com
The online programme comprised of three live Zoom talks and thirteen pre-recorded talks hosted Nicola Pierce faciliating online workshops for two on Youtube. The 2020 festival programme primarily primary schools in Dundalk & Ardee about her engaged with the themes of the state centenary latest novel “Chasing Ghosts, an Arctic Adventure”, programme: illustrating the process of writing and the research involved. • Respectful, sensitive and non-partisan remembrance of all of those who died Online Storytime during the Independence Struggle • The aftermath of World War I and the With the current Level 5 restrictions, library staff experiences of those who were part of the has resumed the very popular delivery of online war effort stories via our social media platforms. During • The impact and legacy of the historical Children’s Book Festival in October, staff posted 14 events of the period on the border and storytime sessions to social media with a total of minority communities in Ireland 2923 views. • Women in the Independence Struggle and the changing role of women in society during the revolutionary period • Specific personalities, events and themes that have a particular significance within counties, parishes or communities
The level of engagement with the online festival was high. In the first two weeks the videos were watched 1,063 times or 82 people on average per video and we received strong positive feedback Annemarie from Drogheda Library delivering from viewers on the videos on Youtube. Halloween ghost stories This programme is supported by the The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative.
Louth Science Festival
A virtual programme of events will take place from 9th-21st November. Funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has allowed Louth Library Service to programme an exciting festival of events with creative & innovative facilitators from around the country. With our varied programme of events aimed at all ages, we hope to make STEM education accessible and fun to all.
One of the very creative entries in our Halloween The Louth Science Festival is targeted towards mask competition! primary & secondary schools and the general 56 | Page
public. A flavour of some of the events include Dieter Weber and been tutored by the legendary workshops on “Low GI Cookery” with Tara Walker, Wilhelm Kempff, his unanimous 1st Prize at the “Ireland’s Weather Today” with RTE weather International Beethoven Piano Competition in forecasters and “Mysterious Microbes” with Vienna in 1973 opened the door to a career that Scientific Sue. A list of all public events can be has brought him all around the world. This concert viewed at was filmed and presented with top-level audio, https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/library/louth- recorded live in St Peter’s Church of Ireland, science-festival/ Drogheda. For information on upcoming concerts visit Arts http://droghedaclassicalmusic.com/concerts/
Celebrate Pipes Hold Steady Creative Spark’s 6th residency International Uilleann Piping Day 2020 takes place exhibition took place from 10th October – 7th on Saturday 7th November. This will be the tenth November 2020 in the Basement Gallery, An Táin year of the event and in 2019 over 60 events took Arts Centre. http://www.createlouth.ie/hold-steady/ place worldwide. As part of the Louth County Residency programmes are established to support Council’s Arts Office schools programme, musician artists through offering studio space, research time, visits were due to take place to promote the resources and creative opportunities they may not instrument and also to recognise the inclusion in otherwise have in their own studio or practice. To 2017 of Uilleann Piping in the UNESCO list of date the Creative Spark residency has supported Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, in lieu of live 35 artists over six years. Due to restrictions in visits, a series of 4 informative videos were place the gallery was unable to have a full-scale produced, and were promoted to second level live opening event, but you can watch back the live music students in Louth schools to enhance the broadcast from the night including tour of the study of traditional arts on the curriculum. artwork, and artist interviews. Celebrate Pipes videos are available to watch on https://www.facebook.com/243962885800968/vide CreateLouth YouTube Channel. os/371622674205174/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvlsCHDsX- EQsFitqCZW0zA
Celebrate Pipes recording at An Táin Arts Centre
Rendezvous - Oil on Canvas by Riley Waite Drogheda Classical Music Drogheda Classical Music continued its series with a broadcast recital on 17th October. The Irish pianist John O’Conor has been gathering wonderful reviews for his masterly playing for over forty years. Having studied in his native Dublin, in Vienna with 57 | Page
1920 Local Elections Commemorative Booklet Ardee Baroque To mark the centenary of the local elections of Ardee Baroque returns for 2020. Adhering to 1920 (urban authorities in January and the Government guidelines, this year’s festival will only remainder in June), the Department of Housing, be accessible online. On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November, you can watch a weekend Planning and Local Government commissioned the of events celebrating the best of early music, production of a booklet which was produced in including a special celebration of Beethoven on conjunction with the Local Government Archivists authentic period instruments by members of the and Records Managers. A limited number of hard- Irish Baroque Orchestra and a concert dedicated to copies are available; however, a pdf version will be Bach. The concerts will be recorded in St Mary’s placed on the website in October. without an audience and will follow all Covid protocols and regulations. The festival is generously funded by Louth County Council and will be available to watch on Ardee Baroque’s website http://ardeebaroque.com/
Louth County Archives
Louth 1920 Online Archives Exhibition With the assistance of funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Louth County Archives Service has digitised and made available online a selection of archives dating to the 1920 period, under the Decade of Centenaries Local Legacies Programme in 2020. It has also utilised these sources to create an online National Retention Policy Records Management archives exhibition to commemorate 1920. The Working Group purpose of developing this digital content is to Work is continuing with the revision of the retention support local research and scholarship by providing policy via email and conference phone-calls. The free online access to local archival sources. It is draft revisions for Transport & Infrastructure and available here: https://www.louthcoco.ie/online- Corporate are at the validation stage. Work is digital-archives underway on the draft revisions both for Community and for Economic Development. To date, Health & World Digital Preservation Day takes place on 5th Safety, Planning & Development, Housing, November 2020 and Louth County Archives will Procurement, Finance, HR and Water have been take part in an NLI event looking at the challenges completed, approved and issued out to local of digital preservation for archivists. authorities.
Wellbeing During Covid-19 Initiatives Records Management Louth County Archives invite the people of Louth to The Co Archivist has assisted staff with various help record the history of the COVID-19 pandemic records management queries and advised on the by keeping a daily diary of their experiences in a preparation of records both for destruction and for project called ‘Our Louth Diary Project’. The diaries transfer to the Records Centre. can be kept for any length of period from a couple
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of weeks to several months or longer. These diaries will be held permanently in the County Archives, for County Museum future generations to understand what life is like for us during this unprecedented period. Alternatively, people could take a photograph or record a short sound recording of their local area.
Donating Completed Diaries Any completed diaries can now be placed in an envelope, marked for the attention of the County Archives, along-with the Donation Form available from the Diary Project web-page (hard-copy forms During Level 5 restrictions County Museum staff also available from Customer Services) and are updating elements of the permanent exhibition deposited in the post-boxes at the entrances to and have added some significant objects to our Louth County Council offices (County Hall, Dundalk 17th Century interpretation, most notably the Town Hall, Drogheda and Ardee Civic Offices) or at padlock from Oliver Plunkett’s cell door, as well as a Customer Service desk. Further information and the Barnewall memorial brass plaque from the instructions for digital material is also available on Sienna Convent in Drogheda. Over the coming weeks, we plan to replicate this process in relation the Diary Project web-page: to our interpretations on Georgian Louth as well as https://www.louthcoco.ie/en/services/archives/our- our displays on the 19th and 20th centuries. louth-diary-project/. Facebook Donating Archives We continue to update our Facebook page with Louth County Archives is interested in acquiring information pieces on selected items from the th archives and records that relate to all aspects of the collection. Featured artefacts include a 19 C court suit, a cast iron rain hopper head as well as a development of County Louth. Such archives may newspaper article reporting on the bicycle journey be from community groups, societies, individuals, made by 7 year old Harry Tempest who made his organisations, national schools, solicitors or other way from Dundalk to Newry in 1887. businesses. If you have a collection that you would be willing to donate, or know of someone who would, please contact the County Archivist by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 042-
9324358.
History Ireland Review The Museum also features in the November/December edition of History Ireland. The review article examined how the introduction of covid precautions have impacted upon the visitor experience.
Carlingford NS, c1982
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The review notes that “It is worth calling into ... [the] Museum to see the Peter Rice exhibition but the other floors are worth looking at also... The restrictions imposed by Covid-19 did make for a different museum experience but not enough to make it seem weird or frustrating ... there is enough there to keep you interested and entertained.”
Heritage
The Heritage Office obtained a grant of €15,000 from the new Community Monuments Fund for conservation work on Drogheda’s town wall at Featherbed Lane. Works will involve removing the bush growing out of the top of the wall and restoring the wall. This is a highly-visible section of the town wall, close to Laurence's Gate. It is hoped that the Community Monuments Fund, which began this year, will expand in future. The Heritage Council awarded a Community Grant for the development of a safety and disabled access plan for Bellew’s Castle (the Louis Convent at Castletown, Dundalk).
As part of the Coastwatch survey (an international survey of litter and, more recently, biodiversity on our coasts), the Heritage Officer surveyed 13 500m survey units.
The National Heritage Week Awards were awarded virtually by the Heritage Council. Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust was the County Louth winner for its ‘A glimpse behind the Shopfront’ exhibition. It featured in the ‘Irish Times’ at the end of the month: https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/ireland- s-heritage/heritage-week-award-winners-2020- 1.4385988
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