MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL:

The Borough Council comprises twelve members, elected for a five year term of office. The current Borough Council was elected in June 1999 and membership at 31st December 2002 was as follows:

Mayor: Cllr Betty Manning

Deputy Mayor: Cllr Martin Brett

Alderman: Joe Cody

Alderman:John McGuinness

Alderman:John Coonan

Alderman:Michael Lanigan

Councillor:Pat Crotty

Councillor:Paul Cuddihy

Councillor:Joe Reidy

Councillor:Evelyn White

Councillor:Tony Patterson

Councillor:Marie Fitzpatrick

 

Administration: County Manager
Mr Michael Malone
Town Clerk
Mr Donal O’Brien
Senior Engineer
Mr Billy Mernagh

The Municipal Rate for 2002 was €43.85.

ROLE OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL
It is the role of Kilkenny Borough Council to administer local services with the Borough. Such duties include infrastructure, community and social services and the promotion of Kilkenny as a major tourist centre.

The Borough Council plays a major role in the preservation of Kilkenny’s medieval heritage and in the promotion of Kilkenny as a major tourist centre.
Kilkenny Civic Trust augments the work of the Borough Council in these areas.

PROFILE OF THE CITY
Kilkenny was constituted as a City by a Royal Charter of James 1 in 1609. The Sovereign and Council of Twelve have since been replaced by a Mayor, Alderman and Councillors.

The City has an area of 373.5 hectares (923 acres) and a population estimated at 8,500. The Borough and Environs has a population of 25,000 approx. The medieval character of the city has been maintained, particularly by the preservation of such historic buildings as Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral, Rothe House and Shee Alms House.

ROAD TRANSPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
During 2002 Kilkenny Borough Council continued with its Roadworks Programme – the following is a brief description of each project.

Abbey St Carpark – This car park was resurfaced and car parking spaces delineated as part of the improvements at the Black Abbey.

Bateman Quay – A new filter lane for the Market Yard car park was constructed helping to reduce traffic congestion in this area.

Blackfriars St and Bridge – This area was paved with castlestone and was a continuation of the improvements undertaken around the Black Abbey thus enhancing the aesthetics of the area.

Blackmill St – The footpaths were improved, the road was resurfaced and speed ramps introduced – thus making this busy thoroughfare more pedestrian friendly.

Canal Pathway – This walkway was resurfaced i.e. enhancing what is a very pleasant walk along the river

Meadow Way – Road and Footpath improvements were undertaken in this Estate during 2002.

Ballybought St – This Road was resurfaced and a new footpath constructed along the Castlecomer Road. This Road had deteriorated over the years and obviously the resurfacing is a major improvement, the newly constructed footpath making it safer for pedestrians.

Stephen’s St Footpaths – These old concrete footpaths were in a very poor condition and very dangerous underfoot. These were resurfaced with tarmacadam and also extra parking bays were introduced. Greenshill Lower – This Road was resurfaced during the 2002 Roadworks Programme.

Parnell/New/Friary St Junction – During 2002 major improvement works were undertaken at what is an extremely busy junction. New kerb lines were constructed; the footpaths were paved in castlestone, new street furniture installed and the road resurfaced. 2 new pedestrian crossings were also installed.

O’Loughlin Road (Williams Lane) – An area of land was purchased allowing the widening of Williams lane to commence. On completion this will allow two-way traffic on Williams Lane eliminating what was once a bottleneck. A new stone wall and footpath has also been constructed.

Abbey St – This Street has been enhanced considerably with a new castlestone roadway and footpath. Decorative lighting has also been introduced into what is a very highly pedestrian used area.

William St – Footpaths and Road Improvements done in castlestone to match existing streets off High St/Parliament St. Also the provision of trees helps to enhance the area.

 

SANITARY SERVICES
Charges for non-metered commercial premises were set at €304 with metered charges set at €3.30 per thousand gallons.

The waterworks at Radestown services parts of the City and environs and produced 1.7 million gallons of water per day. This is augmented by water from the Kilkenny County Council operated plant at Troyswood, Kilkenny.

Following the recent Water Conservation Programme, Kilkenny Borough Council in conjunction with Kilkenny County Council as part of an ongoing process have surveyed water mains around the City in an effort to detect any leaks in lines that may have occurred and have repaired same, thus improving the water pressures in the City.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND AWARENESS
The collection and disposal of refuse in the Borough is carried out by the Borough Council.
Street cleaning takes place on a daily basis.
The Borough Council liaises with the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Committee. The Litter Warden continued with anti-litter promotion in schools and businesses and enforcement of anti litter legislation.

LONG SERVICE AWARDS
In association with the Partnership Committee, Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council held a Long Service Awards night on Friday, 6th December, 2002, at Langtons Hotel. Anyone who had exceeded 20 years or 40 years service since the last Long Service Awards which were held in 1995 were eligible to receive this Award. Twenty six employees both past and present of Kilkenny Borough Council received Long Services Awards.

Swimming Pool
Approval for the swimming pool feasability study has been received from the Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation. The preliminary report has been prepared and submitted to the Department. A response to this report is expected shortly.