County Manager’s Statement

As County Manager I welcome the publication of the Annual Report of Kilkenny County Council for 2002. The report reviews the activities of the Local Authority and informs the public of the various operations undertaken during the course of the year.

During 2002 progress has been made on a number of various programmes of work which has helped to improve the quality and efficiency of the services provided to the people of Kilkenny.

Works on planned major developments are progressing such as:

The County Development Plan including development plans for the scheduled towns of Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and for Waterford City Environs (including Belview Area Action Plan and Kilmacow Village Plan) and the Environs of New Ross was adopted in July, 2002.

The six Waste Authorities in the South East Region prepared a Joint Waste Management Plan which was adopted by Kilkenny County Council in June, 2002.

The feasibility study on a new swimming pool for Kilkenny City was approved by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation and the preliminary report is currently with the Department awaiting approval.

The Corporate Plan 2001 – 2004 sets out certain Performance Indicators within each programme group and the outcome of same are covered in the Annual Report.

This is my first Annual Report as Manager of Kilkenny County Council and I wish to thank the Cathaoirleach and Elected Members of the County Council and the Borough Council together with the members of the Strategic Policy Committees for the welcome which they have given me since I took up the position and for their help and co-operation over the last number of months. I would also like to thank the staff of both the County Council and Borough Council both indoor and outdoor for their assistance in the provision of services.

In particular I would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of my predecessor, Mr. P.J. Donnelly, who retired in 2002 after 26 years as Kilkenny County Manager. This contribution to the development of the City and County and in particular the tourism infrastructure which today is benefiting the economy of both, was second to none.