2015 ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 3 QUALITY OF LIFE 5 MUNICIPAL DISTRICTs​​ 7 FINANCIALS Cathaoirleach’s Welcome 6 Housing 62 Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District 122 Finance 182 Chief Executives Welcome 8 Social Inclusion & Community Cashel - Tipperary Municipal District 128 Motor Taxation 188 Development 70 Tipperary in context - Vision Statement 10 Clonmel Borough District 140 Francaise Section 190 Library Services 80 Members of Tipperary County Council 12 Nenagh Municipal District 146 Arts 82 Senior Management Team 17 Templemore - Thurles Tipperary Heritage Office 86 Municipal District 154 Tipperary Museum 90 Tipperary Sports Partnership 92 2 STRONG ECONOMY 4 QUALITY OF ENVIRONMENT 6 ORGANISATIONAL MATTERs​​ 8 APPENDICes Economic Development & Enterprise 20 Environment 100 Corporate Services 160 Schedule of Committee Appointments 2014-2019 194 Roads, Transportation, Health & Safety 28 Fire & Rescue Service 110 Human Resources 168 Strategic Policy Committees 200 Planning & Development 46 Water Services 112 Information Technology (IT) 172 Organisation Structure 202 Tourism 54 Civil Defence 118 Website 176 Staff Structure 204 Sports and Social 178 Performance Indicators 2015 208 Conference and Seminars 216 Training 217 1 INTRODUCTION • CATHAOIRLEACH’S WELCOME • CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S WELCOME • TIPPERARY IN CONTEXT - VISION STATEMENT • MEMBERS OF TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL • SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM 6 TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL INTRODUCTION • AnnuAl RepoRt 2015 7 FOREWORD There is no doubt that our county is a CATHAOIRLEACH richer place because of the huge effort and dedication of volunteers around our county. The Annual Report gives us the opportunity to reflect on the activities and achievements of Tipperary County Council during the year 2015. I am honoured to hold the office of Cathaoirleach, having being elected on 22nd June, 2015, as the 2nd Cathaoirleach, to represent Tipperary as its first citizen. During my term I have had the pleasure of attending OTHER PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE YEAR I wish to acknowledge all those involved in the a number of significant events for the County. In July INCLUDED: Community and Voluntary sector and the added value 2015 I attended the National Day of Commemoration this sector provides to the quality of life of individuals, in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. In August, I had the • The opening of the South East Mountain Rescue communities around the county. There is no doubt privilege of launching the Comhaltas 2016 Programme centre on the Heywood Road, Clonmel; that our county is a richer place because of the huge with Minister Heather Humphreys at Brú Ború, Cashel, effort and dedication of volunteers around our county. whilst in September; I welcomed a group of Spanish • The launch of the Local and National 1916 I also wish to acknowledge the community efforts that students on an educational exchange programme Commemoration Plans; secured various Tidy Towns titles across the county to Ireland in the Civic Offices, Nenagh. In October, I and the numerous communities around the county attended the Ireland 1916 County Plan launch by An • Attending the range of quality festivals and events that worked so hard in their local areas. Taoiseach in the Irish Museum of Modern Art and also supported by the Council in conjunction with various attended a special ceremony in Galway for the NISO partners, namely, Terryglass Arts Festival, Cashel I would like to thank my fellow Councillors in Tipperary Annual Safety Awards, organised by the National Irish Arts Festival, Junction Festival, to name but a few. County Council for their invaluable support during Safety Organisation, where Tipperary Fire and Rescue my term as Cathaoirleach of Tipperary, and also to Service, once again were winners of the Public Service thank my Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr. John Fahy. I want award. to express my appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Joe During 2015, Tipperary continued to build on its strong MacGrath, Chief Executive, for the valuable guidance In November, I had the privilege of attending the national and international brand, with the launch and support he has given me. Finally to all our Council Lord Mayor’s Pageant in London to join Lord Mayors of the first all county Tourism website, profiling the staff both indoor and outdoor for all their hard work and Cathaoirligh from across the island of Ireland to vast range of authentic experiences that are on offer in representing the people of Tipperary and delivering participate in the 800th year of this ancient pageant across the County. The harmonisation of Commercial a wide range of services. And to all the people who for the first time, facilitated by Tourism Ireland, while in Rates in November 2015 represented a significant contribute to the economic, social, cultural and December, I attended the Regional Entreprise Awards challenge for the new Council with the convergence sporting life of our County, building communities and in Nenagh and also attended the 10th Annual Canon of rates between the County Council and former making Tipperary a great place to live and work in, I Hayes National Sports Awards in Ballykisteen, where Town Authorities agreed over a four year period. As I acknowledge the value of your contribution. I had the pleasure of meeting Olympic Greats, Ronnie look forward I am sure that Tipperary will continue to Delaney and Michael Carruth. develop and grow over the coming years. “Ní neart go cur le chéile” Cllr Seamus Hanafin Cathaoirleach 8 TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL INTRODUCTION • AnnuAl RepoRt 2015 9 The Vision Statement - Ambition for our communities, demanding of ourselves and working to a shared purpose to deliver prosperity over the county - echoes the ethos, that is FOREWORD Tipperary County Council, for both staff and members alike CHIEF EXECUTIVE THERE WERE MANY HIGHLIGHTS DURING THE YEAR INCLUDING; • Tipperary County Council was awarded “Council of • Water Services continued to expand and improve I am delighted to join with the Cathaoirleach in presenting this, our the Year” in the 2015 LAMA Awards; during the year. Major new water supply schemes second Annual Report of Tipperary County Council which details the were under construction at Fethard and Burncourt • Tipperary County Council was awarded “Public while substantial lengths of pipeline were replaced work of the council in delivering public services and infrastructural Sector Award” in the 2015 Sustainable Energy in Fethard town and rural areas. Planning was projects during the year. Awards; advanced for new schemes in Clonmel and Thurles, among others. Minor capital works to the value • Tipperary County Council was awarded the “ESPA of €6 million were underway across the county. 2015 Best Practice” for the Merger project of North The council continued to work with Irish water 2015 was another important milestone in the life of and South Tipperary into a unified Tipperary County on all aspects of water services, including the the new Council with the adoption of its first Corporate Council; transformation to a national utility model. Plan, a 5 year Strategic Framework for action in the areas of economic development, social inclusiveness • The opening of the Questum Centre and active I want to acknowledge the valuable advice and guidance and environmental sustainability within the County of marketing of the Tipperary Science and Technology provided by Corporate Policy Group of the Council and I Tipperary. Park at Ballingarrane, Clonmel. wish to thank the new Strategic Policy Committees for their assistance in the formulation of policy. The vision statement adopted by the members • Purchase of the Kickham barracks site and - “Ambitious for our communities, demanding of completion of the planning process for a new Civic I also wish to acknowledge the five new Municipal ourselves and working to a shared purpose to plaza in Clonmel; Districts who adopted their own budgets in respect of deliver prosperity across the county” – echoes the their road & other works programmes being carried out working ethos that is Tipperary County Council, • The refurbishment of the Tholsel, Fethard which will in their respective geographical areas and which are a for both staff and members alike, and this Council become a flagship project for the Cashel, Fethard, valuable form of local government serving & meeting has been particularly active in 2015 in progressing Clonmel, Kilkenny part to the Ancient East tour, the needs of citizens in their own localities. measures to underpin sustainable economic growth telling a unique story around its medieval walls, and employment in the county, nurturing a positive ecclesiastical buildings (Augustinian Abbey and I would like to especially express my appreciation for environment for job creation and enhancing towns and Holy Trinity Church) and its equine history; the dedication and hard work of Cathaoirleach Cllr. villages. The challenge to maintain and improve the Seamus Hanafin, the Municipal District Cathaoirligh, level of service, across the County and the readiness of • Completion of new town parks in Nenagh and Cllrs. Ger Darcy, Pat English, Mary Hanna Hourigan, the elected members and employees to embrace this Thurles; John Crosse and Eddie O’Meara and all of the elected challenge is noteworthy. members, all of the staff of Tipperary County Council • Purchase of the Roscrea Business and Innovation and the voluntary/community groups, sectors, This Council is determined in its efforts to seek new Park; committees and individuals who work with us to ways to