Corporate Plan 2019 – 2024 Mission Statement “To Provide Leadership and Deliver High-Quality, Citizen-Focused, Responsive and Effective Services” Table of Contents

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CORPORATE PLAN 2019 – 2024 MISSION STATEMENT “TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY, CITIZEN-FOCUSED, RESPONSIVE AND EFFECTIVE SERVICES” TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction by the Cathaoirleach and the Chief Executive ��1 Socio-Economic Profile of County Louth ��3 About Louth County Council ��5 What We Do ��7 What We Stand For ��9 Strategic Objectives ��10 Drogheda & Dundalk - Regional Growth Centres ��13 Housing ��13 Climate Action ��14 Key Infrastructural Projects ��15 Key Plans & Strategies ��15 Economic Development & Job Creation ��17 Quality of Life ��17 Appendix 1 – Elected Council Members ��19 Appendix 2 – Service Indicators ��24 Appendix 3 – Organisational Chart ��25 Appendix 4 – Customer Charter ��26 Appendix 5 – Developing the Corporate Plan ��27 Councillor Liam Reilly, Cathaoirleach Joan Martin, Chief Executive INTRODUCTION BY THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

We are pleased to introduce Louth County Council’s Corporate Plan 2019 – 2024. The mission statement of Louth County Council is to ‘provide leadership and to deliver high-quality, citizen-focused, responsive and effective services’ and this document sets out our plans towards achieving these aims. Developed in line with the guidelines issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, this Corporate Plan presents our vision for the social and economic development of the county from 2019 to 2024.

This document sets out the core Our greatest challenge, however, which we will measure success and services that we deliver to the people of continues to be delivering the best progress, and this plan will be reviewed Louth, our strategic priorities over the possible service to the people of Louth every six months by the Council’s senior lifetime of the current elected council in the most effective and efficient way management team. (2019-2024), and the core values within the budget available to us. To that dictate how we deliver on those this end, we are constantly innovating Louth County Council stands for in how we deliver our services, using priorities. democracy, integrity, openness and technological advances where possible, accountability, and input from the while maintaining our commitment to As a border county, Louth will have people who live, work and do business excellence in customer service. to be innovative in how it tackles the in Louth is important to ensure that challenges arising from Brexit. While The corporate plan is an important we build a shared vision for our county uncertainty around the process still document, as it dictates the strategic over the coming years. abounds, we have carefully considered direction of the Council, and by these challenges in the development of extension, the county, over the next Councillor Liam Reilly, Cathaoirleach this corporate plan. five years. It is also the means through Joan Martin, Chief Executive

1 JUST OVER AN HOUR FROM BELFAST AIRPORTS SMALLEST POPULATION: 827 COUNTY KM2 IN IRELAND: 128,884

45 MINUTES FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT

2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE

A border county, Louth is situated between Dublin and Belfast and is home to two large urban areas – the county town of Dundalk, and Drogheda, which holds the title of Ireland’s largest town. Although, at 827km², Louth is the smallest county in Ireland, its strategic position on the eastern seaboard between the island of Ireland’s two largest cities (Dublin and Belfast) results in a significant and diverse range of economic, social and cultural strengths and opportunities. These provide a strong basis for the socio-economic development of the county.

Geographically, Louth is located just the county. With 750 staff serving of 6.2% since the 2011 census. an hour from Dublin and Belfast, a population of 128,884, it is Census figures showed that the with good road, bus and rail links to considered a medium-sized local population of Dundalk is 39,004, both cities. The country’s excellent authority. making it the third largest town in national and motorway road network the country. This is a 3.1% increase means that most major towns and According to the Census 2016 on the previous census. Ardee is cities in the country can be reached figures, Louth is the most densely the third key population area in the within three hours. Dublin airport, populated county in Ireland outside county, with a population of 7,869. meanwhile, is just 45 minutes away of Dublin, with a population density and road travel to Belfast City and of 156 persons per km², compared There are 51% female residents International airports is just over an with a national average of 70 people in the county. Almost 65% of the hour. per km². The figures show that population is aged between 15 and Louth’s population grew by 4.9% 64 years of age. Approximately, Louth County Council is the local since 2011, compared to the national 79,960 of Louth’s population lives authority for Louth, delivering a average of 3.8%. Drogheda remains in urban areas, with 48,924 living in range of social and economic services the largest town in the country, with rural areas. to the residents and businesses in a population of 40,956, an increase

3 4 ABOUT LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL

Louth County Council is the local authority for Louth and the county is divided into the three municipal districts of Drogheda, Ardee and Dundalk. The county is made up of five electoral areas: Ardee, Drogheda Rural, Drogheda Urban, Dundalk-Carlingford and Dundalk South. In December 2018, the two electoral areas of Drogheda Rural and Drogheda South came into being.

The people of Louth are Dundalk/Carlingford represented by 29 elected county councillors, whose role Omeath is to provide civic leadership, to formulate policy, to represent Carlingford Dundalk South the interests of their constituents Dundalk and to ensure that the views of the people of Louth are reflected in the decisions taken by the Blackrock County Council and in the way Ardee that services are delivered. The Louth Chief Executive of Louth County Tallonstown Council is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Drogheda Rural local authority. Ardee Dunleer

Drogheda Urban Clougherhead Collon Termonfeckin Baltray

Drogheda 5 Corporate and Emergency Services Housing & Quality of Life  Corporate Services  Social Housing Programme  Fire & Emergency Services  Private Rented Dwellings Inspections  Information Technology  Libraries  Organisational Health & Safety  Local Community Development Committee  Customer Services Municipal  Louth Looking Good Initiatives  Major Emergency Management District of  Age Friendly  Civil Defence Ardee  Sports Development  Arts & Heritage

Municipal Borough District of District of Dundalk Drogheda

Planning, Infrastructure & Economic Finance & Water Operations & Waste Management/ Development Services Environment  Infrastructure  Financial Services  Road Maintenance  Planning & Enforcement  Procurement  Cleansing  European Office Compliance  Parks & Landscaping  Coastal Protection  Water Services  Wardens (Community, Litter, Dog & Traffic)  Economic Development  Veterinary Services  Local Enterprise Office  Climate Change

6 WHAT WE DO

Louth County Council, through its 750 staff, delivers a range of social and economic services to the people and businesses of Louth. The council is funded from central government, as well as through commercial rates, property tax and charges for services. With an annual budget of approximately €170m, the council provides the following services:

g Housing provision and maintenance of g Promotion of economic development g Local and community development social housing, affordable housing and tourism, with a view to job creation, programming, in association with local Traveller accommodation. income growth and enhancing the development entities. overall wellbeing of the county and its g Road design, construction, residents. g Support for arts, tourism, economic maintenance and improvements, as development, and conservation. well as road safety. g Land use, planning and development g Libraries, museums, archives and control. heritage. g Traffic management, parking, and public lighting. g Waste Management and Enforcement g Equality, ethics and access. including Recycling. g Motor tax collection. g Veterinary services and food processing g Emergency services, such as the hygiene. g Water services, in association with Fire Service; Civil Defence, major Irish Water. This includes water supply, emergency management and water g Parks and recreational facilities. effluent and treatment. safety. g Coastal protection, management and maintenance of piers, harbours, and beach amenities.

7 29 Members

Audit Committee Corporate Policy Group 2 Elected & 3 External Cathaoirleach & Strategic Members Policy Committee Chairs

Municipal District of Borough District of Municipal District of Ardee Drogheda Dundalk 6 Members 10 Members 13 Members

Strategic Policy Strategic Policy Strategic Policy Strategic Policy Strategic Policy Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee Economic Development Planning & Housing Climate Action & Community, Quality of & Enterprise Support Infrastructure Support Energy Life & Creativity

8 WHAT WE STAND FOR

OPENNESS AND DEMOCRACY INTEGRITY ACCOUNTABILITY

We recognise the democratic legitimacy of local government and are committed to transparent decision-making and good communication. We strive to achieve this through:

g Meeting customer needs g Addressing poverty, social exclusion, g Developing and valuing our staff inequality and accessibility g Consultation, participation and g Continuous improvement community development g Partnership g Respect for all

9 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES HOUSING DROGHEDA CLIMATE & DUNDALK CHANGE - REGIONAL GROWTH CENTRES

10 KEY ECONOMIC KEY PLANS & QUALITY OF LIFE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES PROJECTS & JOB CREATION

11 12 HOUSING

g Delivering the Rebuilding Ireland g Working with key stakeholders to Strategy targets for County Louth achieve a mix of housing options g Delivering the Homeless Action g Delivering compact growth in Plan Dundalk and Drogheda, including town centre and multi-storey living g Implementing the Traveller Accommodation Programme g Prioritising the role of housing in placemaking

DROGHEDA & DUNDALK g Delivering new local area plans g Progressing urban regeneration for Drogheda and Dundalk projects, such as Westgate Vision, Drogheda; Long Walk, Dundalk g Delivering the key objectives for Louth in Ireland 2040 and the g Enhancing Recreation, Cultural Regional Spatial and Economic and Sports Facilities Strategy g Maintaining strong levels of g Delivering strong population job growth in Drogheda and growth with compact multi- Dundalk storey development within town footprints g Developing our towns as great places to Live, Work and Play

13 CLIMATE ACTION

g Delivering Louth’s Climate Action Strategy

g Working to deliver Ireland’s Climate Action Strategy

g Continuing to develop as exemplars for energy efficiency and awareness

g Combatting the flood threat in Drogheda and Dundalk and other areas in partnership with the Office of Public Works

g Being part of the Local Authority Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project

g Developing and pursuing strong policies on biodiversity

g Working with key stakeholders throughout County Louth to improve sustainable transport options

14 KEY INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS

Including: g Drogheda Civic Centre g Clanbrassil Street & Saint Nicholas Quarter g Ardee Castle Upgrade g Long Walk g Port Access Road g Westgate Vision g Ardee Bypass g Narrow Water Bridge g Sporting & Leisure Facilities ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION g Delivering quality job g Continuing to increase the opportunities in Louth for the impact of LEO on small businesses people of the County g Engaging with all cross-border g Working with stakeholders to platforms to drive the attract investment economic development of the Border Region g Working with stakeholders to and the Dublin-Belfast mitigate the impact of Brexit Economic Corridor g Continuing to work with Louth g Making Louth a great Economic Forum as the key place to Live, Work collaborative driver of economic and Play development in County Louth

15 16 KEY PLANS & STRATEGY

Click on plan name to view g Local Economic Community Plan g Rebuilding Ireland g County Development Plan g Westgate Vision g Local Area Plans g Louth Climate Adaptation Plan

V Dundalk g Major Emergency Management

V Drogheda g Louth Economic Forum Action Plans

V Ardee

QUALITY OF LIFE

g Making our communities g Make Louth a great place great places to live to live for and volunteer - where everyone takes pride in V Our older people their local area V Our Younger Generation V Immigrants and all g That all of our citizens, minority communities avail and enjoy our Arts, V And where those with Culture and Library disabilities can live Services ordinary lives in ordinary places

17 APPENDICES

18 APPENDIX 1

BAILE ÁTHA FHIRDHIA ARDEE

Dolores Minogue Colm Markey Fine Gael Fine Gael

Pearse McGeough Jim Tenanty John Sheridan Hugh D Conlon Sinn Féin Non-party Fianna Fáil Non-party

19 DROICHEAD ÁTHA TUAITHE DROGHEDA RURAL

Eileen Tully Declan Power Michelle Hall Tom Cunningham Fine Gael Non-party The Labour Party Sinn Féin

20 Paul Bell Pio Smith Joanna Byrne Kevin Callan James Byrne Paddy McQuillan The Labour Party The Labour Party Sinn Féin Non-party Fianna Fáil Non-party

DROICHEAD ÁTHA UIRBEACH DROGHEDA URBAN

21 DÚN DEALGAN THEAS DUNDALK SOUTH

Maeve Yore Marianne Butler Non-party Green Party / Comhaontas Glas

Ruairí Ó’ Murchú Maria Doyle Tomás Sharkey Liam Reilly Emma Coffey Sinn Féin Fine Gael Sinn Féin Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil

22 Antóin Watters John McGahon Edel Corrigan Erin McGreehan Seán Kelly Conor Keelan Sinn Féin Fine Gael Sinn Féin Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil

DÚN DEALGAN-CAIRLINN DUNDALK-CARLINGFORD

23 APPENDIX 2 SERVICE INDICATORS

H Housing F Fire Service H1/H2/ Social Housing Stock/Housing Voids/Maintenance F1 Cost per capita of Fire Service H4 expenditure F2/F3 Service Mobilisation/Attendances at scenes H3/H5 Average Re-Letting Time & Cost/rented Dwelling L Library Service Inspections L1 No. of library visits/items borrowed H6 Homeless Adults L2 Cost per capita of library service R Roads Y Youth & Community R1/R2 Regional/Local Primary/Local secondary/Local Tertiary Road Y1/Y2 Participation in Comhairle na nOg scheme/No. of Pavement Surface Condition Index Ratings & maintenance organisations registered with social inclusion college of the expenditure PPN R3 Percentage of motor tax transactions completed online C Corporate W Water C1/C2/ No. of wholetime equivalent staff/working days lost W1 Percentage of private drinking water schemes in C4/C5 through sickness compliance with statutory requirements C3 No. of visits to website/social media followers/LA media E Waste accounts E1 No. and percentage of households covered by licensed M Finance operator providing 3 bin service. M1 5 year summary of revenue account balance E2 No. of pollution complaints made/closed/open M2 5 year summary of percentage collection levels for major E3 percentage of LA area within the 5 levels of litter pollution revenue sources E4 Percentage of schools with green flag status J Economic Development P Planning J1-J4 No of jobs created with LEO assistance/trading online P1 No. of Buildings inspected voucher applications/mentoring recipients/tourism strategy P2/P3 No. & percentage of cases referred to an Bord Pleanala/ & officer No. of investigations & outcomes P4/P5 Cost per capita of Planning Service/No. of Fire Safety Certificates

24 APPENDIX 3 ORGANISATIONAL CHART

Chief Executive

Director of Director of Housing Director of Finance Director of Planning, Director of Corporate and & Quality of Life & Water Services Infrastructure, Operations & Waste Emergency Services Economic Management/ Development & Environment European Affairs

Senior Team Senior Team Senior Team Senior Team Senior Team

Administrative & Administrative & Administrative & Administrative & Administrative & Technical Teams Technical Teams Technical Teams Technical Teams Technical Teams

Operational Teams Operational Teams Operational Teams Operational Teams Operational Teams

25 APPENDIX 4 OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CUSTOMERS “To deliver an efficient quality service to the people of Louth”

In our dealings with our g Courtesy and consideration g Choice of service delivery customers and clients of Louth g Equality, openness and methods County Council we will adhere impartiality g Accountability to the following core values:- g Physical access to our facilities g Confidentiality (as permitted by law) to all our customers g Meaningful consultation

CUSTOMER OBLIGATIONS

g It is the responsibility of Accordingly, the following behaviour is not acceptable from members of customers to treat council the public: staff in a professional, courteous and civil manner g Disruptive behaviour g Malicious damage to premises or during all dealings with g Harassment of staff or theft of Louth County Council’s them. members of the public property g Use of violence or threat g The use of alcohol and illicit drugs of violence towards staff g Smoking or consumption of food in or members of the public areas within Louth County public Council premises

26 APPENDIX 5 DEVELOPING THE CORPORATE PLAN

Louth County Council adhered to Section 134 of the Local Government Act, 2001 in the preparation of the Corporate Plan and consulted with a wide range of stakeholders including IDA Ireland, an Garda Síochána, Fáilte Ireland, Louth Tidy Towns Together, the Public Participation Network and the Local Community Development Committee. Workshops were conducted with the elected members of Louth County Council and the Corporate Policy Group was consulted along with Oireachtas members for County Louth COUNTY HALL MILLENNIUM CENTRE DUNDALK A91 KFW6

1890 202 303 [email protected] [email protected]