SPC MEMBERSHIP 2005

Kilkenny County Council adopts a pro-active and flexible approach in meeting the challenge of providing accommodation for those in need and assisting others who can afford it, to obtain their own accommodation.

Kilkenny County Council actively promotes all schemes available in the interest of providing housing accommodation to its customers.

Kilkenny County Council actively promotes all schemes available in the interest of providing housing accommodation to its’ customers.

HOUSING CONSTRUCTION/ACQUISITION PROGRAMME

• 36 new houses were completed and allocated at Glenmore (10), Moneenroe (8), Bennettsbridge (10), Johnstown (4), Freshford (2) and rurals (2)
• 104 houses (part of the Housing Construction Programme and Part V) were under construction at 31 st December 2005 .
• There were 39 casual vacancies during 2005.
• Kilkenny County Council purchased properties on the open market for allocation – 10 sales were finalised at end of 2005.  These properties are all occupied.
• 2 rural cottages were constructed and allocated to families on housing waiting list.
• Renovation works were undertaken on 1 private dwelling under the Improvement Works in Lieu of Housing Scheme (Florence Terrace).
• 2 local authority houses were extended under the Extensions Programme (Dangan Terrace & Sheepstown).

VOLUNTARY HOUSING SECTOR

• 4 projects were completed under The Capital Assistance Scheme, consisting of; 14 units at St. Mary’s Kilkenny, 8 units at Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny, 5 units in Hugginstown, and 2 units in Ferrybank.
• 1 project is under construction at Callan and a further 2 projects received approval to proceed at Ballyhale and Moneenroe.
• Total expenditure in 2005 was €2,400,000.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

• 10 houses were sold as affordable at Parcnagowan, Waterford Road , Kilkenny.
• A total of €1,127,000 was advanced for loans on these houses..

HOUSING LOANS

• 17 Shared Ownership loans and 6 annuity loans were paid in 2005.
• 8 house improvement loans were paid out in 2005.
• 11 tenants purchased their homes under the Tenant Purchase Scheme with 5 availing of loans from Kilkenny County Council.
• A total of €3,160,000 was paid out on housing loans.

GRANTS

• 47 Disabled Persons Grants were paid out to disabled persons to assist them in undertaking necessary renovation works. Total Expenditure: €571,000.
• 15 Essential Repairs Grants were paid to elderly persons to assist them with essential repairs to their dwelling: Total Expenditure €42,600.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/TENANT PARTICIPATION

• Refurbishment work at Newpark Close including external cleaning works at Newpark Resource Centre and painting of boundary wall facing onto green area.
• Annual clean up of some local authority estates which included provision of bin tags, black sacks, paper pickers and bulky waste collection.
• Pre-development work with the Travelling Community in relation to recycling.
• Pre-Tenancy Course held with all new tenants of Council dwellings before occupation.
• Ongoing consultation with Residents Associations.
• Assistance provided for official opening of playground at Garringreen.

PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR

Under the new Residential Tenancies Act 2004 Registration of tenancies in private rented accommodation is now being operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).  All Landlords must register each tenant in their respective rented accommodation at a cost of €70 per tenancy – renewable only if there is a change of tenant.

Kilkenny County Council will continue to have responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations under the Housing Acts relating to rent books and standards of private rental accommodation. 

Kilkenny County Council recouped €5,291 from the Department of Environment for 2005 and recoupment in the future will be based on the number of registrations with the PRTB relating to the Council functional area

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

• A total of €273,468.95 was expended on accommodation for homeless persons.
• Funding was provided to;

1. The Good Shepherd Centre which provides accommodation for homeless men.
2. The Women’s Refuge Centre for support and accommodation to women and children rendered homeless as a result of domestic violence.

HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS

• 87 new families were housed by Kilkenny County Council.
• 46 housing loans were advanced in 2005 which included home improvement loans.
• 62 housing grants were paid in 2005.

Houses Constructed at Ard Aoibheann, Inistioge.

RURAL WATER PROGRAMME:

Kilkenny County Council is responsible for the administration of a number of grant and subsidy schemes which are aimed at resourcing the Group Water and Sewerage sector in addition to individual house owners who finance the supply of water from their own resources.

• There are 232 Group Schemes in the County-124 Groups served from a private source & 108 Groups connected to/or now part of a public supply
• Five Kilkenny group schemes- Ballycallan, Castleinch, Castlewarren, Clifden and Cuffesgrange were included in the South Leinster group of 39 schemes -treatment plants for which are being provided under a Design Build & Operate funding scheme. It is anticipated that construction work will commence on the DBO Bundle in March 2006. Advance works to the value of €40,245 were carried out in 2005 and will be completed in 2006.
• The Council approved the takeover of three schemes- Drakelands was completed , Kilbride & Ahenure Group Schemes will be completed in 2006.The sum of €237,660 was spent on takeovers in 2005.
• The sum of €284,000 was paid out in Improvement Grants to Group Schemes- Castlewarren, Coolagh/Caherleske ,Ballymack, Newtown/Ovenstown, Kilree,Highrath,Johnswell,Killoshulan, Listerlin,Parks/Rathclevin,Maddoxtown and Windgap.
• The sum of €4063 was paid out in grants to Prologue, Callan, Group Sewage Scheme.
• Subsidies totalling €106,016 were paid to 37 Group Schemes in 2005.
• 70 approvals issued for grant applications for provision of wells to private houses and the sum of €99,368 was paid out in well grants.
• The sum of €844,000 was spent on the provision & improvement works to public water and sewage schemes under the small schemes programme. Works were carried out to 20 schemes in 2005.
• A Water Quality testing programme was undertaken for 26 schemes in 2005 and will be extended to 56 schemes in 2006.

Rural Water Monitoring Committee

The Committee consists of nine persons from the group scheme, rural and local authority sectors. The Committee meets every two months to advise on the development/implementation of the County Rural Water Strategic Plan, to oversee the operation of the local programme and to provide input to the National Monitoring Committee.

The current membership is:

Rural Water Liaison Officer plus one Engineer from Kilkenny County Council

Assisted by a Representative of the National Federation Group Water Schemes .

CAPITAL SCHEME

Contract documents are being prepared and the planning process including Part 8 for two pump stations is in process. The serving of wayleaves has also commenced. Following completion of this process, approval form the DOE will be required for contract document stage.

Gowran/Goresbridge/Paulstown

DOE are awaiting a report from Consultants on increased costs of the proposed scheme. This report will be ready for submission to the DOE by end of January 2006.

Freshford, Johnstown & Goresbridge SS Bundle

Consultants have been appointed (subject to fee approval by the DEHLG) to prepare a Preliminary Report.

Ballyragget, Clogh/Castlecomer & Urlingford/Johnstown WSS Bundle

Consultants have been appointed to prepare a Preliminary Report.

Callan, Graignamanagh & Thomastown/Inistioge WSS Bundle

Interviews for appointment of Consulting Engineers to prepare a Preliminary Report will take place in February 2006.

Mooncoin WSS

Advert for the engagement of a Consulting Engineer to prepare a Preliminary Report has been placed in the O.J.E.C. Expressions of interest due in February 2006, following which short-listing of candidates will take place.

Bennettsbridge Water Supply Scheme

Consultants have been appointed. Contracts in place for exploratory well drilling and testing which will be completed by June 06. Preliminary Report due in July/Aug 06.

Kilkenny WSS

Consultants have been appointed. Contracts in place for exploratory well drilling and testing. Thirteen sites have been identified. Exploratory well drilling and testing has already commenced on some of these sites and all well drilling and testing should be completed by June 06. Preliminary Report due July/August 06.

Kilkenny City Water Supply

The City water supplies are operating well. Supply deficiencies are being managed satisfactorily, and water quality difficulties experienced in former years have been eliminated.

The Supply will be upgraded within the current Water Services Investment Programme.

Kilkenny Waste Water Treatment Plant

As a result of careful management, the Treatment Works is operating well, and the quality of treated wastewater being discharged to the River Nore is consistently satisfactory and within the required standards.

The plant is due to be upgraded under the current Water Services Investment Programme 2005 – 2007.

Kilkenny Sludge Management

It is proposed to provide a sludge treatment centre in Kilkenny under the Water Services Investment Programme.

Troyswood Water Supply Scheme

Our commitment to maintain the high standard of quality of drinking water produced at Troyswood Water Treatment Works and to improve the efficiency of the treatment system continues.

Water demand in the City continues to grow rapidly. Our Consulting Engineers are currently investigating the watermain network to determine what improvements and future extensions are necessary to meet this, as well as exploring possible new sources of supply. Their recommendations are expected later in the year.

Water Conservation Project

Council are awaiting approval from DEHLG to the appointment of Consulting Engineers. Interviews have been held and there is a recommendation with the DEHLG

Metering Project

The Government’s Water Pricing Policy Framework requires the charging of non-domestic customers of water and wastewater services for the recovery of the full costs of providing such services to these customers. This is in line with National and EU policy on the application of the polluter pays principle.

Complete Information System

The National Water Study recommended that local authorities develop and maintain modern and up to date records of their water services systems using standard data collection methods. The development of a Complete Information System has been progressed on behalf of the Department by the Local Government Computer Services Board.

To date, Kilkenny County Council has completed approximately 70% of data collection throughout the County, related to water services. Data collection includes the creation of a comprehensive customer database for each individual area, including the type of service, name address, metered/un-metered, residential/non residential/domestic/agricultural etc. The Project should be completed by the end of 2006 as remaining services can be located without total caretaker involvement speeding up data collection in remaining areas, due to metering projects and water conservation projects being ongoing in remaining areas.

SERVICED LAND INITIATIVE

Ballyragget Waste Water Treatment Plant – Substantially complete. Mechanical and Electrical contractor to carry out some remaining works.

Mooncoin Waste Water Treatment Plant – Existing WWTP is being upgraded and due to be commissioned in March 2006.

Callan Waste Water Treatment Plant – This plant was commissioned in 2005.

Urlingford Waste Water Treatment Plant – This Scheme has been completed.

COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN/AREA PLANS:

Highlights:

• Area Plans adopted for New Ross, Kells, Goresbridge, Freshford in 2005.
• Public consultations held for Slieverue, Mullinavat, Stoneyford and Paulstown.
• Local Area Plan for Kilkenny City Centre adopted in 2005.
• Extensive Consultations are carried out in the preparation of the Local Area Plans. All sectors of the Community are encouraged to participate in the formal consultation process.
• County Strategy Actions and Community Actions now being incorporated in Local Area Plans.
• Variation No’s. 4 & 5 & 6 of the Kilkenny City & Environs Development Plan were adopted in 2005.
• Consultation for Variation No’s 7 & 8 of the Kilkenny City & Environs Development Plan and the County Development Plan commenced in 2005.
• The review of the Retail Strategy was adopted in 2005.
• A review of the parameters of the Housing Strategy was completed in 2005.
• A review of the Rural Housing Policy was commenced in 2005 and the draft completed, taking into account the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines.
• A proposed amendment to the Mooncoin Local Area Plan commenced and the draft was on public display in 2005.

URBAN & VILLAGE RENWAL:

Highlights:

• In 2001 a Strategic Plan for the Implementation of the Urban & Village Renewal Scheme was prepared by Kilkenny County Council. This set out the Council’s plans for the years 2001 – 2006 in allocating the Urban and Village renewal fund throughout the County.
• The Urban and Village Renewal Scheme is funded by the EU and Exchequer through the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
• The grant allocation for the year 2005 was € €525,821.00.
• Phase 5 of the six year programme was undertaken in 2005 and the following projects were carried out :-

New footpath and public lighting Kilkenny Road Callan

TOWN RENEWAL:

Highlights:

• 29 projects have been approved to date under the Town Renewal Scheme.
• The final date for qualifying for the scheme was 31 st December, 2004 with 31 st July, 2006 being the date for completion of works.

DERELICT SITES:

Highlights:

• The Council’s five area offices are responsible for derelict sites with the support of a Senior Executive Engineer.
• 52 Notices under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 were issued in 2005.
• Derelict sites will continue to be investigated and notices served as appropriate.
• The County Council continues to identify sites that are suitable for infill housing in order to generate and revive some of the more dilapidated black spots in villages and towns around the County.
• The acquisition of suitable derelict properties will commence under the Compulsory Purchase Proceedings of the Derelict Sites Act 1990.

CONSERVATION:

Highlights:

• The sum of €190,000 was paid under the Conservation Grant Scheme for protected structures.
• Ten additions were made to the Record of Protected Structures.
• Architectural Inventories have been carried out for four villages and Urban Design Studies carried out for four villages.
• N.I.A.H. survey for County Kilkenny commenced in 2005.
• Kilkenny County Council offer a planning consultancy/advisory system for sensitive buildings and protected structures.

DEVELOPMENT CHARGES:

Highlights:

• The new Development Contribution Scheme was applied to all permissions granted from 1 st January, 2004 .
• The sum of €10.9m was collected in 2005 – an increase of €3.6m.
• Kilkenny City Western Environs Development Contribution Scheme was adopted in 2005.

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL:

Highlights:

• 2046 applications received in 2005 (2087 in 2004)
• The sum of €1,112,956 was received in planning fees
• 831 Commencement Notices under the Building Regulations were received.
• The Planning Clinic system continues to operate successfully in each of the area offices.
• Extended opening hours at the planning public counter were introduced in 2004, and the Planning Office is open to the public from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily.

Taking in Charge:

Highlights:

•  A new Protocol to deal with the Taking in Charge of housing estates by the Council was developed and commenced in 2005 and will continue to be developed and utilised for future requests under the Taking in Charge process.

  The Taking in Charge process commenced in respect of 11 housing estates in 2005.

ENFORCEMENT:

Highlights:

• A total of 180 new complaints were received during 2005
• Enforcement Proceedings were progressed in respect of 250 complaints and approximately 70 cases have been forwarded for legal action
• A total of 195 cases were brought to conclusion during 2005
• The Council successfully prosecuted 4 cases during 2005.
• Fines and costs, a total of €9,200.00 was imposed by the Court
• Over €200,000.00 was received in planning retention fees alone as a direct result of Enforcement action taken. Development contributions would also be due on foot of most of these applications
• A number of cases investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman were closed, it being satisfied with our complaints handling procedures

IT DEVELOPMENTS:

Highlights:

• EPlan, Kilkenny County Council’s new internet based Planning and GIS system was made available online in 2004.
• new mapping register of Enforcement files was implemented at the end of 2004 which will greatly assist Planning Staff in identifying Enforcement cases which are current and have relevance to any proposed planning applications on a particular site

FIRE SERVICE:

The seven fire brigades in Kilkenny County Council Fire Service were mobilised to over 970 times in 2005. The average time to turn out a fire engine from the time the call was received was 5.8 minutes. The fire service was in attendance at 42.19% of emergencies within 10 minutes of being called, 48.18% within 20 minutes and 9.63% in over 20 minutes. This is an improvement on last year’s figures.

The fire service attended a number of major gas leaks in Kilkenny City in 2005. Working together with the gardai and the ambulance service over 100 people had to be evacuated. The fire service also had to deal with an acetylene cylinder involved in a serious blaze in a workshop. This entailed provision of fire cover on the ground for over 24 hours. Persons had to be evacuated and a constant jet of water had to be kept on the acetylene cylinder for the 24 hours.

Firefighters Andy Ramsbottom and Corabh Wise were awarded medals for their bravery by the Irish Water Safety Association in the rescuing of two boys from the River Breagagh. They were the first firefighters in the country to be awarded these medals.

Training

• A one day refresher on First Aid and Trauma was held for 12 no. firefighters in April 2005.
• A one day Breathing Apparatus course was held for all firefighters in March 2005.
• A one week Pump Operator/Drivers course was held for 7 no. firefighters in September 2005. All firefighters subsequently passed the driving test first time.
• Senior and Junior Officer training was ongoing during 2005. The courses that officers attended are as follows - Operational Command Course (Development); Road Traffic Accident Course; Fire Safety Engineering (New Entrant); B.A. Instructors Refresher Course; Unit II Course; Fire Safety Engineering Course; Hazmat Course; Operational Command Course; Unit I Course; Media Handling Course and Fire Services Council Seminars.

A.C.F.O. Frank Dunne was awarded an M.B.A. in Business Administration by D.C.U.

Purchase of Vehicles and Equipment

• 3 second hand fire engines were purchased in 2005. These appliances replaced 25 year old fire engines in Thomastown, Urlingford and Graiguenamanagh.
• 2 second hand jeeps were also purchased to replace 20 year old jeeps in Callan and Thomastown fire stations.
• A class B water tender was ordered for Freshford fire brigade. This appliance is under construction with a company in Galway . The appliance is to be delivered in the final quarter of 2006.

6 no. gas tight suits and 2 no. gas tight training suits were purchased in order to improve our capability at hazardous materials incidents.

28 no. breathing apparatus sets complete with lightweight cylinder were purchased.

A total of €48,330 was spent in the provision of PPE and Safety Equipment.

Approval was obtained from the D.O.E.H.L.G. to submit drawings and costings for a new station in Castlecomer.

Fire Safety

Fire Safety awareness was promoted during National Fire Safety Week through visits to schools, radio interviews on the local radio station and press releases to the local newspapers.

Fire Safety was also promoted through Kilkenny Local Authority’s advertising feature on the Kilkenny People.

The proposed fire safety awareness campaign through the local radio station in conjunction with Carlow Fire Service on a monthly basis did not occur. However senior fire officers from Kilkenny Fire Service gave regular interviews on the local radio station with respect to promoting fire safety.

School visits to the fire station.


Students from 2nd and 3rd class of Kells National School with teacher Ms Valerie Landy

- Regular school visits are arranged to the fire station on Wednesdays each week. Over 300 primary school children visited the fire station in 2005. Each visit would last for approx. 45 minutes. Children would be shown around the fire station and would be given life saving tips with respect to fire safety. Each child would also be given fire safety literature and a pencil with a fire safety message. In addition a number of photographs would be taken of the visit and would be entered into the Fire Service website.

 Fire Safety Certificates and Inspections

All fire safety certificates were assessed.

A total of 189 fire safety certificates were received.

Over 35 licensed premises were inspected under the licensing act. This involved a number of inspections of the premises and giving evidence to the court. Over 300 licensing applications were processed.

A total of 8 no. nursing homes were inspected and assessed.

All relevant planning applications were sought by the fire service and the planning authority were advised of our requirements.

Fundraising

At Christmas Kilkenny County Council Fire Service and the ambulance service from St. Luke’s Hospital raised over €8000 for two local charities. In addition during the year Kilkenny County Council Fire Service were involved in a very successful fundraising event for REHAB involving the washing of cars .

Kilkenny Fire Service carrying out a pre fire planning visit to Kilkenny Castle .

KILKENNY CIVIL DEFENCE

Kilkenny Civil Defence National Team

• STATISTICS

• Registered Unit Strength 75
• Total Cost to Local Authority per Volunteer 1.25 euro/per day.
• Total Community Support Events 16
• Total Community Support Man-days by Volunteers 150
• Total No. of Training nights 86
• Total No.of Personnel attending Training nights 750
• Total No. of Training Exercises 16
• Total Training Exercise Man-days by Volunteers 240
• Total Operational Emergency call-outs 4

Main Events 0f 2005

• 0perational response to river Search & Recovery (SAR)at Mooncoin in January
• Sixth Annual Charity walk on Brandon hill for 35 members.
• Twelve members attended annual water S.A.R.exercise on L. Derg.
• Community support for Graiguenamanagh St. Patricks Day Parade.
• Hosting of Regional River S.A.R. Exercise at Graiguenamanagh
• Combined A.F.S. Training with Laois Civil Defence in Durrow.
• Eighteen members attended National Exercise in County Limerick .
• Twenty members attended overnight training camp in Portumna.
• County team participated in Reg. A.F.S. Competition in Dungarvan.
• Eight members visited Isle of Man for mutual Trg.and Tynwald Day
• Grennan College Transition Overnight Camp in Blackstairs Mts.
• Provision of Reception Centre & Welfare for Co-op. North Cycle race
• Six members selected for advanced first-aid training with Laois C.D.
• Certified Manual handling Course for 25 members held in Ballyragget
• Provision of Survey boat and Marquee for Inistioge Village Plan.
• Digital V.H.F. System installed in Transport fleet.
• Senior Volunteers attended Search management course at Roscrea.

KILKENNY PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Service Points:

• Callan
• Castlecomer
• City Library , John’s Quay
• Co. Library H.Q (Administration and Local Studies),
• Graiguenamanagh
• Loughboy
• Mobile Service
• Schools’ Service
• Thomastown
• Urlingford

 Library Stock

Borrowing of books continues to be the most popular library activity and this is reflected in the welcome and substantial increase in our annual bookfund from €100,000 in 2003 to €220,000 in 2005. You can also borrow music CD’s, cassettes and magazines, or you can read newspapers in the library. Large print books, book-on-tape, language courses are also available.

We cater for all ages and stages. For teenagers, there are dedicated Young Adult sections and popular chart music selections. All our libraries have books, tapes and videos/dvds for children, while some branches have toys for playing with in the library. Lots of children’s activities take place in our branches including: an annual Children’s Bookfest, Storytelling for children and a Mother and Toddler group at Castlecomer library. Library membershipfor children under 14 years is FREE. Adults can share their reading experiences through our Reading Groups at Castlecomer and Loughboy Libraries – “Pageturners” and “Riveting Reads” respectively. We have comprehensive Reference sections in all branches and staff can help to find what is needed, be it for study, interest, research or just for fun.

Libraries are for everybody especially for people who can’t read very welland would like to improve their skills, and for people who can’t read at all. We help by providing Adult Literacy collections in the City, Castlecomer and Urlingfordlibraries.

Ireland ’s society is becoming increasingly multicultural. Kilkenny is now home to many people of different nationalities and cultures, be they refugees, asylum seekers or immigrants. To support social inclusion in this area we have introduced a World book collection for our borrowers at the City Library , including Fiction in Arabic, Czech, German, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish. Other Word language resources include dictionaries and International newspapers for Reference and English language courses and International Magazines for lending. Each branch has access to this World Book Collection at the City Library , as well a their own selection of English language courses

Library Services

We have 23 PC’s for Public Internet Access between our branches. Our library website www.kilkennylibrary.ie incorporates our Library catalogue. Members of the Public can search the catalogue and view recommended titles. Library members can also view their account details and renew and reserve items. Microsoft Word and Excel are also available for Public use on a dedicated PC in each branch.

We have a PC with document scanner and software for the visually impaired and for readers with learning difficulties at Castlecomer Library . The software which includes Kurzweil 1000 and 3000, Zoomtext Magnifier and JAWS – converts print to speech, enlarges print, highlights and rearranges text to suit the reader with learning difficulties. This service will be extended to other branches during 2006.

Our Libraries are focal points in the Community and provide venues for: Adult Literacy tutorials; Local History and Active Retirement Group activities; a Homework Club in Urlingford; Citizen Information, Housing and Planning Clinics; French classes in Castlecomer and Children’s events during Kilkenny Arts Festival .

If you are doing a thesis for a Local Studies degree, writing a local parish history, interested in checking old newspapers for hurling match reports, looking up your family history, we can help in our Local Studies Department at Co. Library H.Q. You will also find some general local studies files on the locality in each branch .

Highlights from our 2005 Programme

Library Ireland Week 5 th-12 th March 2005 was a national celebration of theimportant role of libraries and librarians. Kilkenny County Library Service organised a plethora of events around this time in and outside of the library. On Wor ld Book Day children’s author Herbie Brennan visited Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown and CastlecomerLibraries. Loughboy Library had a “Seachtain na Gaeilge” book display and a puppet show. The City Library held an “ Introduction to theInternet” with library staff - for young and old- and a “Make a book workshop” for children. There was an Irish Wildlife Trust Composting workshop at Castlecomer library and staff at the City Library , John’s Quay, Graiguenmanagh Library and Castlecomer Library all held Coffee mornings for Daffodil day. While a FREE draw for book tokens took place in all branches.

We introduced a Reading Corner, -with a taster collectionof children’s library books- in the foyer in County Hall, for young children, waiting with their parents to avail of Co. Council services. While Library talks and presentationswere madeto: 1 st year students of CBS Secondary School, Kilkenny , Johnstown Active Retirement Group and Gowran National School pupils

R E A D ISCOVER your local library ran from 20 th- 27 th June as public libraries all over the Country –supported by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna- celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Public Libraries Act. The week was launched in Kilkenny at Loughboy Library by Brian Cody, Manager ofKilkenny Senior Hurling Team. Tom Doorley visited the City Library on 23 rd June and gave talk on food, wine and organic gardening and read from his book “Muck and Merlot”. Mick Hanly, hosted anevening of music and reading at Graiguenamanagh Library on Friday 24 th June at 8pm and read from his book “Wish me well”. Media events included library book club members and library staff appearing on “On the record”, with Sue Nunn on KCLR96fm . While Dorothy O’Reilly, Assistant Librarian appeared on “Your neighbourhood” with Carmel Brennan, to talk about the Library Service Edwina Grace ’s VOXPOPon the Kilkenny People asked the Public what they were reading, and they made complimentary comments about the Library Service.

Our library website and catalogue www.kilkennylibrary.ie was updated with a new selection of recommended reads by library staff. Each branch had a book display: Food and Wine in the City Library ;Travel in Loughboy Library; Local Authors and Irish Writers in Graiguenamanagh, Urlingford and Thomastown Libraries and Hans Christian Andersen 200th Anniversary in Callan Library .

For Heritage week in September there was a Heritage Quiz for children in Castlecomer and Loughboy Library had an ENFO history and heritage exhibition for secondary schools. During Agatha Christie Week 12 th - 17 th September the City Library had a colourful display of her works and those of other crime fiction writers, complete with props - a mouse trap and a magnifing glass! There was a “lucky dip” for all readers who borrowed crime/detective novels around that time.

Promotional Displays and material

Ceád Mile Fáilte @ your library,” was the first of our bi-annual Library displays in St. Canice’s Credit Union Window, High St , Kilkennyfrom March 15th-21 st. Our 2 nd display which was targeted at Children took place just before the Children’s Book Festival and highlighted our wonderful selection of children’s stock.

Callan Library took part in a Community Group/ Organisations display inFriary Hal,l resulting in a number of new members for the branch. Library H.Q staff had a display of library stock on Health and Fitness issues at the Health Promotion day for staff in County Hall.

Castlecomer, Graiguenamananagh and the City Library all produced their own colourful newsletters during the year which inform the Public about Library services, stock and events. While we collaborated with Kilkenny County Council’s Heritage Officer Dearbhala Ledwidge in funding History Ireland ’s “ Kilkenny : Irish Historic Town ’s Atlas No. 10 “ by John Bradley.

Children’s Activities

Children’s BookFest 2005 at Halloween included : Rosie’s Exotic animal shows with 5 animal species – snake, lizard, polecat, owl and hedgehog, No cook party food workshop, card games and tricks, dominoes, First Aid, Poetry reading, bedtime stories, puppet making and puppet shows, a national bookmark competiton and an Inter- branch library quiz etc.

 Summer Activitiestook place in all branches during July/August. This year these included, a Harry Potter fancy dress competition, mask-making, weaving, puppet shows, arts and crafts, puzzles and library skills competition, storytelling. etc. We ran reading clubs in all branches to encourage children to keep reading during the school holidays and to use the Library Service. During the year we organized author visits for local schools. The authors included Irish and U.K names: Mary Arrigan, Brian Og Brady Dawson, Ann Jungman, Vincent McDonnell, Deirdre McCarthy , Aubrey Flegg and Niall de Burca.

www.askaboutireland.ie is a website which has been created as part of a Cultural Heritage Project for the digitisation of Local Sources online. It is an initiative of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Governmentthrough the Information Society Fund and The Heritage Council . In Phase 1 and 2 of this project , Kilkenny County Library Service covered :George Berkeley of Dysart Court; the Tighe Family and Woodstock Estate;Woodstock Arboretum;Woodstock Estate and Woodstock House. Our contribution for Phase 3 is on the Castlecomer plateau and the influence of the physical geography on the subsequent history of the area. It is broken down as follows: Origins; The Wandesforde Legacy and Coalmining in Castlecomer.   We received funding of c.€23,000 for phases 1 and 2 and €27,000 for phase 3.

 Carrigan Centenary

  2005 marked the Centenary of the Publication of Canon William Carrigan’s seminal work – ‘The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory’. The County Librarian was an active member of the Committee, formed to mark this important occasion. Among the activities which took place were:

• An Autumn commemorative seminar in St Kierans College, for which the Library Service did a photographic exhibition of places in County Kilkenny pertaining to Carrigan’s History.
• A CD-Rom of his four volume work and index
• A commemorative garden and monument at Ballyfoyle his birthplace

LIBRARY STATISTICS 2005

• 18685  Registered Borrowers
• 308049 Items loaned
• 7967  Internet Access Sessions

LIBRARY SERVICE INDICATORS 2005

NO. OF ITEMS ISSUED PER HEAD OF POPULATION:

• Books 3.58
• Other items 0.27

ARTS OFFICE

Kilkenny is a City and County teeming with creativity, imagination, ingenuity and skill. It is home to an array of highly talented and resourceful arts practitioners and organisations and we host an array of Arts events and festivals annually.

Participating and involving yourself in the arts and creative endeavours offer and encompass many social, cultural and educational benefits. For many they can be purely for pleasure and liberation. Others recognise creativity as a tool for increasing confidence, encouraging people to take positive risks and assuring people that it’s good to raise their values and expectations. The Arts also strengthen communities and further develop pride in our localities.

 2005 was a very productive, vibrant and progressive year in relation to the ‘projects’ undertaken. Many of our events involved and invited both arts practitioners and the community at large.

 EXHIBITIONS AND COMMUNITY

Three exhibition venues managed by The Arts Office are County Hall, The Gallery Upstairs in the Watergate Theatre and No 72 John Street. The venues offer artists platforms to expose their work not only to ‘gallery visitor’ but they also catch the chance interaction of those who would not normally visit a gallery space. Shows range from groups and individual artists both established and early career artists. Exhibitions so far this year have included:

County Hall, John Street hosted Stepping Outside , a mixed media exhibition of work by patients from the Central Mental Hospital , Dublin , Re-mapped-drawing, painting and photography exploring the theme of cartography by David Beattie, On Line paintings and prints by the art group KUBE.

 Gallery Upstairs in the Watergate Theatre hosted shows such as   ARapa Das Betas an exhibition of photography by Gwen Wilkinson, All the Glories of Youth Dear Boy, paintings by Stephen Hennessy and Elements an exhibition of paintings by Louise Allen .

 No 72 John Street   was host to 3 Degrees mixed media by KCAT artists, Bealtaine an exhibition of works by Tony O’Malley and Patrick Scott in association with Butler Gallery, Requiem to A Fly by Paul Murnaghan- sound work in collaboration with Butler Gallery, From The Portfolios, an exhibition of drawings by Patrick O’Connor and Violence Against Women 365 poster exhibition.

Residency David Beattie completed an eight week residency from May to July at No. 72 John Street . David investigated and experimented with sound within the context of the local environment i.e. The County Hall, its grounds and the street immediately outside 72 John Street .

LITERATURE

 The Poetry Broadsheet publication gives local writers a platform for their work through involving a professional editor, Peter Denman Dean of Arts in Maynooth, in selecting poems from writers within the city and county, the culmination of which is the publication of an A1 Broadsheet.

The Rhyme Rag broadsheet is specifically for young people was launched in September 2005. A publication for young people edited by local writer Frank Marshall and contains the poems of seventeen young poets from 12 to 20 years.

LKJ literary event took place in April 2005 featuring Linton Kwesi Johnson, the world’s first dub poet, and is the only living poet to be published by Penguin Classics. Two other poets who appeared with LKJ on the night were Gear ó id Mac Lochlainn and Rita Ann Higgins.

 THEATRE

In February ‘Stuck in the Mud’, a production by Barnstorm Theatre Company, was shown in the Watergate Theatre. The experience of attending high quality professional theatre like the Barnstorm productions should be part of all children’s education. The Arts Office provided subsidies to a number of County Kilkenny based schools to enable them to attend this production in 2005.

MUSIC

 Faust 1920’s black and white silent film by F.W. Murnau’s was screened in April 2005. The film was accompanied by a live performance of a new soundtrack by 3epkano.

Collaborations with Kilkenny Music Club in their series of Autumn concerts allowed for a number of classical concerts in 2005 such as the Royal Irish Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra performance. Duiske concerts series featuring the Chieftains was also supported by the Arts Office in November 2005.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The professional development programme broadened the knowledge and developed the skills of arts practitioners in ‘Making an arts career a realistic ambition for excellent and innovative artists’. Two series of courses have been completed this year in collaboration with the Butler Gallery.

March Series :

Artists as Educators with Kate Buckley & Chrissie Poulter.

Photographing Your Work with local photographer Suzanna Crampton.

Tax Exemption / Self Employment with Brendan Allen, Chartered Accountant. Case Studies & CareerPaths with Maria Kerin Curator, Clare Dave Begley, Hopewire, Wexford.

 May Series :

Career Paths or Musicians , Ken Allen, Factory Studios Faction Records, Angela Dorgan, Federation of Music collectives, Keith Johnson, IMRO and Canice Kenealy, ex Engine Alley,

Arts Council of Ireland information session with Paul Johnson, Arts Council.

Approaching Galleries + Exhibition Proposals , Anna O’ Sullivan Butler Gallery, Robert Miller Gallery NY ,Paul O’ Reilly ev+a, Limerick and Josephine Kelliher, Rubicon Gallery.

New media and Technology in contemporary art with John Gerrard and Anna Hill.

FREEFORM

Freeform is a project designed to allow maximum exposure, access and engagement to the contemporary arts using accessible media technology. Freeform aims to develop an innovative model for engaging young people in an interactive way with the arts. The Freeform project assesses the potential for museums, galleries and arts venues to use a similar model to engage young audiences in collections and exhibitions nationally and internationally.

Freeform primarily target schools, youth groups, community groups, special needs groups and people with learning disabilities. In November 2005 the Butler Gallery and Kilkenny County Council Arts Office hosted a series of workshops in collaboration with Saffron pictures introduced a selected number of participants from a cross section of the community to the Butler Gallery collection and to Audio Visual Presentation Software. The project used recently developed animation software (AVP) and allowed groups to animate objects in real time. Images from the Butler Gallery Collection were used as source material. Using AVP software participants were able to select aspects of the work and animate them instantly.

Overall, Freeform addresses the needs of the various groups in relation to technological developments in the contemporary arts and will extend into 2006.

MOOT

Kilkenny County Council’s Arts Office in collaboration with the Butler Gallery presented ‘MOOT III’, the third in a series of discussions and seminars. This event consisted of a panel of professionals and the audience engaged in heated debate and discussion. The panel were chosen to provide a good balance of artists whose work is involved with new media and digital technologies and artists who work in a contemporary field, where work is dependant on technology to some degree but not exclusively.

‘shutdown : restart’considered the changes facing the contemporary arts in terms of new media and digital technologies.

This was the third event in what will be a continuous creative process providing a forum for powerful, focused and inspirational debates and discussion on a variety of subject matters. These events will, potentially, transform expectations, citing shifts in attitudes, perceptions and beliefs.

‘5 to 6’ KILKENNY WOMENS ART PROJECT

 ‘5 to 6’is an inclusive arts based programme accessible to all women. It will provide life long learning by supporting womens development at a personal, social, cultural, political and economic level and will forge links with the wider community. The project aims to address issues of gender, equality, value, community, self esteem and empowerment through the arts. The arts can be used as a tool for learning and as a mechanism to address sensitive issues in a safe, creative and relaxed environment.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY

The arts office works with others to help bring the arts closer to local communities’. Projects are undertaken within a variety of community settings and contexts. These ‘broaden and enrich participation’ and also serve to ‘enhance audiences’

ARTS ACT GRANTS

 Arts Act Grants and Bursaries were received by individuals, groups and organisations in the community assisting the development of the arts in a diverse range of art practices.

Kilkenny County Council Arts Act Grants and Bursaries are available to those falling into three categories:

1. Groups and Organisations promoting the Arts

2. Equipment Purchasing Grant

3. Individual Artists – all art forms

Applications were also invited for the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Regional Bursary Scheme, a two week residency in Annaghmakerrig for practitioners in all art forms, of which two Kilkenny Artists accepted.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER BODIES

The Arts Office supports and contributes to other bodies – Rothe House, the Watergate Theatre, Barnstorm Theatre Company and Kilkenny Arts Festival.

STRATEGIC ARTS PLAN

The completion of the Strategic Arts Plan is our vision for the future of the Arts in Kilkenny and it is paramount for us as a people and for our economy. This Strategy is a necessary tool for Kilkenny to develop its vision for the future of the Arts within the City and County. It will provide the framework within which the arts can develop and flourish into our future. Kilkenny and its population can only benefit from the development and implementation of this strategy.

At present the Kilkenny Arts Strategy 2005 – 2009 is available online on the Kilkenny County Council website www.kilkennycoco.ie and will be published in the coming months.

HERITAGE

County Kilkenny Heritage Office

The role of the Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office is to provide advice and information on heritage issues and to develop policies and priorities for the identification, protection, conservation and enhancement of Kilkenny’s heritage. A key objective is to establish and work with a Heritage Forum in the preparation and implementation of a County Heritage Plan. In addition, the office promotes heritage awareness & education throughout the county.

Below is an overview of some of the achievements of the Heritage Office in 2005:

Raising Awareness about Heritage

• Co-ordination and promotion of National Heritage Week activities throughout the county.
• Promotion of Heritage Council “Heritage in Schools” Programme
• Co-ordination of county-wide “Pride in Place” Competition to promote and encourage best practice in natural and built heritage management in towns and villages around the county, in conjunction with BNS LEADER.
• Production of Kilkenny Local Authorities Environment & Heritage Calendar, in partnership with Environment Section

Heritage Training

• Co-ordination of “Historic Graveyard Management Training Seminar” for community groups, graveyard committees, local authorities and statutory agencies

Collection of Heritage Data

• Commissioned an audit of Historic Graveyards of Kilkenny City and County

Heritage Policy

• Reporting to Strategic Policy Committee 5 (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Education) regarding heritage projects and programme
• Input on heritage aspects of Local Area Plans

Physical Heritage Management Projects

• Co-ordinated Feasibility Study for a proposed Integrated Cultural Facility

• Launched and co-ordinated the Historic Graveyard Grants Scheme, in partnership with Environment Section of Kilkenny County Council.

Promoting Best Practise in Heritage Management

• Launch and implementation of “St. Mary’s Church and Graveyard Conservation Plan”, in partnership with the Church of Ireland and the Heritage Council
• Launch and implementation of “Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan”, in partnership with the Heritage Council
• Joined the Irish Walled Towns Network
• Commissioned Management Plan for Talbot’s Tower, part of the Kilkenny City Walls structure

REGISTER OF ELECTORS

A Register of Electors is produced annually .The Register of Electors is a list of all persons over 18 years of age resident in the County who are entitled to vote in Elections to the Dail, European Assembly, Presential, Local Elections and Referenda.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

APPEAL

Customer Services Initiatives

A number of initiatives were introduced during the year with the intention of improving customer care and the delivery of quality services to the public. These include
New Planning Customer Service Desk which is accessible for people with disabilities
Validation of Planning Applications at the Public Counter
Edirect rolled out to all Departments and Area Offices
Lunch Time Opening extended to all Departments
On line payments system for parking /Traffic fines,fire charges Housing loans
Introduction of Billpay as customer payment method
Taking in Charge of Housing Estates Protocol agreed in partnership with CIF
Modern Area Offices with decentralised services
Sign language and Irish classes provided to staff to enhance customer care
Improved disability access to County Hall
Wireless links to Area Offices

Barcelona Declaration

A working Group has been established consisting of internal and external Stakeholders in respect of the implementation of the Barcelona Declaration and Sectoral Pan as provided for in the Disability Act 2005 Funding has been received under the National Disability Strategy to commence the provision of services and activity contained in the outline Sectoral Plan.

Ombudsman Complaints

Section 66 Grants

Kilkenny County Council grant aided 69 community groups in 2005 under this scheme. The total grants allocated was €38,755.This scheme grant aids community groups who promote the social,economic,environmental ,recreational ,and cultural development of their areas.

Workplace Partnership in Kilkenny Local Authorities.

During 2005 the process of managing change through Partnership has continued with the embedding of the process through local initiatives and the implementation of national policies.

Under the “Sustaining Progress” Agreement, increases under Benchmarking have to be verified against agreed commitments and flexibility measures. The Performance Verification Group set up under this process visited Kilkenny in September 2005 and were satisfied that Kilkenny Local Authorities are honouring their commitments under this process. Central to their deliberations was the active role of Partnership in delivering these changes.

The first meetings within the Partnership Forum between full time Union Officials and the full Management Team took place in 2005. These meetings which were initiated as part of the “Handling Significant Change Through Partnership Process” have proved very useful and are to continue in 2006.

Partnership working groups set up as part of an going staff consultation process continued to meet in 2005 to review progress made in respect of priority issues identified by these four groups. Arising out of the recommendations of the four groups the following positive outcomes have taken place:-

• Cross functional team meetings taking place at area level to co-ordinate services for the public.
• Development of communications strategy through ongoing contributions to the local authority page in the Kilkenny People.
• Development and resourcing of the Customer Service desk.
• Ongoing development of the new Machinery Yard complex.
• Agreement of flexible working arrangements to be incorporated within lunchtime opening.
• Review of working arrangements at area level with a view to incorporating a system of planned maintenance for sanitary services work.
• Progressing family friendly issues for staff.
• Examination of procurement policy to ensure greater value for money and greater input from the end user.

Other Working Groups currently in operation include a Sanitary Services working group looking at water conservation, a health in the workplace group which initiated a health promotion day in October, 2005 and a Creche Committee set up to examine the feasibility of incorporating child care facilities within any proposed development in County Hall.

The Kilkenny Borough Council working group continues to address issues raised through Partnership for Kilkenny Borough Council. Arising from staff consultations in 2003, a document was completed raising issues that affect staff and the general customers of Kilkenny Borough Council. Most of these issues have now been addressed. These include:-

• Clarity regarding chain of command.
• Better scheduling of work.
• Increased and balanced representation on the main local authority committee.
• Better communications between the committee and staff in general.
• Better maintenance of equipment
• Improvement of conditions in the Borough Yard
• Examination of the policy regarding hire versus purchasing of equipment.
• A review of the housing maintenance function was carried out by a housing working group. The findings of this report were endorsed by both the main Borough Partnership Committee and management in December, 2005. This report is to info rm changes in how Kilkenny Borough Council carries out its housing maintenance programme for 2006 and beyond.

There were a number of changes in personnel on Kilkenny Local Authorities Partnership Committee in 2005. Of particular note was the appointment of a new Union Joint Chair, Mr. Seamus Hogan, IMPACT Representative who took over from Dave Gallagher who has left the organisation on a career break. Seamus together with Philip O’ Neill, Director of Service, Management Joint Chair are entrusted along with Adrian Waldron , Workplace Partnership Facilitator in focusing the committee and driving the change process as necessary. The joint chairs of the Kilkenny Borough Council committee are Kieran Fitzgerald , Borough Engineer, Management Joint Chair and Walter Comerford, SIPTU, Union Joint Chair.

Along with the ongoing commitments of the working groups there were a number of projects advanced in 2005. These included:-

• Workplace health testing for staff and elected members.
• Publication of staff magazine
• Completion of facilitation training for staff liaising with community groups
• Return to learning project
• Health promotion in the work place day.

REVENUE COLLECTION 2004

LOANS

RENTS

RATES

WATER CHARGES

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2005

NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEETINGS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD FROM 1st JANUARY 2005 TO 31st DECEMBER 2005

Presentation to Orla O’Shea Rose of Tralee
at July's 2005 meeting of Kilkenny County Council

Kilkenny Local Authorities, Kilkenny Tourism, Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Kilkenny Vintners funded tourism research for Kilkenny in 2004 . Welcome Marketing Consulting were commissioned to prepare the Strategy entitled “Kilkenny Tourism and Development strategy, 2006-2011 Linking Old and New, City and County”, using the findings of this research. A public consultative approach was undertaken as part of the methodology for designing the future goals and tourism opportunities for Kilkenny . Kilkenny Tourism have retained Welcome Marketing Consulting to assist them implement the strategy going forward .

The practical approach focuses on implementation and co-operative marketing in a sustainable and integrated manner that will allow positive progress for the betterment of tourism in Kilkenny .

Key marketing groups have been established and commitment from the industry has been demonstrated by the formation of the following sectoral marketing groups:

• Kilkenny Hotels
• Kilkenny B&B’s
• Kilkenny Vintners
• Kilkenny Self-catering
• Kilkenny Good Food Circle
• Kilkenny Crafts

The Board of Kilkenny Tourismhas undergone a reorganisation and has been reduced from 25 to 16 Directors .

The Board’s objectives and its functions have become more focussed on communication with the board and with their respective sectors. It is recommended that subcommittees would be set up within the Board to drive the initiatives. An ongoing review of the Board of Directors has been agreed and the focus will include:

• Communication and PR- within sectors and to members
• Distribution of Info rmation
• Quality referral systems
• Fundraising and Events
• Web development

FUNCTION OF THE NEW KILKENNY TOURISM

The function of the New Kilkenny Tourism is to promote and market Kilkenny city and county as a tourism destination . The method adopted for the promotion will be via co-operative and cluster marketing which will allow for an integrated approach to the enhancement of Kilkenny as a Tourism Destination.

Actions 2005

Marketing Actions that were commenced in 2005 to attract new visitors to Kilkenny included:

Web marketing

• Revision and redesign of www.kilkennytourism.ie
• Email Marketing Campaign- ezine, web marketing campaign for participating groups and visitors to the County .
• Build on existing databases and develop new databases.
• Promote special offers, special deals and packages via the ezine.
• Promote and communicate to Council Members on issues relating Product Development in Rural and City locations.
• Use email marketing to develop clusters to disperse business to rural locations throughout Kilkenny .

Design and Execution of the Integrated Marketing Campaign (IMC)

• The IMC, supported by the leading hotels, the Local Authority and the Chamber of Commerce and Vintners adopted a co-operative marketing approach for the county.

INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MIX (IMC)

 It aimed to send one message and was communicated across all media, in a synchronised and sequenced fashion where all participating members are dovetailing and sending the same message about Kilkenny, i.e. “Lots to do, great atmosphere and quality at a reasonable price”

The key message was “KILKENNY” and not hotels or any other specific “product sector” as this can sometimes lead to “people tuning out”. A destination with a feel good factor is always stronger than a specific hotel- even guests staying in the best hotels want to venture out and explore!

Members of Kilkenny Tourism 05/06:

• Sheena McCanny, Chairperson
• Richard Butler
• Monica O’Byrne
• Monica Phelan
• Michael Prendergast
• Tom Maloney
• Elaine Murphy
• Kathleen Leadbetter
• Declan Murphy
• Pat Wallace
• Joe Ledwidge
• James O’Connor
• Declan Rice
• Mike Nolan
• Cllr Paul Cuddihy
• Cllr Malcolm Noonan
• Cllr John Brennan

Kilkenny County Development Board (CDB) continues to focus on the co-ordinated and integrated delivery of services in the county. The 30 members of the board come from the Local Authority Sector, Local Development Sector, State Agency Sector and the Social Partners. Its membership is set out below:

Since 2003, one of the Board’s core functions has been to oversee the delivery of an agreed ‘Strategy for Economic, Social and Cultural Development’ of Kilkenny County for 2002-2012. The focus of the CDB for 2005 was the carrying out of a review of this strategy and the subsequent production of a strategy review document. The purpose of this review was not to revise the 2002 -2012 strategy but rather to focus on the key priorities and actions of the next three year cycle and to examine ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service provision in Kilkenny city and county.

Steps taken in carrying out this review included.

• Initial Progress Reports from lead agencies to highlight progress as a lead agency, status report on all actions, what has worked / not worked within the process, recommendations for changes/modifications to the process / system and a preferred reporting method.
• Desktop and secondary research methods to update statistics, current trends and new policy developments.
• A number of facilitated meetings of the CDB.

Resulting from this review Kilkenny CDB has identified nine core actions which have the overriding aim of improving the existing co-ordination and delivery of public services at local level. Over the next three years, these collaborative priority actions will contribute to an increased strengthening of the effectiveness and efficiency of service provision in Kilkenny.

Specific focused working groups will be established to progress the implementation of these prioritised actions.

The CDB is serviced by the Department of Community and Enterprise in Kilkenny County Council.

The Kilkenny County Enterprise Board continues to provide supports to facilitate the establishment, development and growth of micro-enterprises in the county. The Board, chaired by the County Manager , Mr. Michael Malone, comprises representatives of a wide range of state and semi-state organisations along with local business and community interests. The Board also has four elected representatives, nominating by Kilkenny County Council, giving democratic legitimacy and accountability to the Board.

The Board provides a range of financial and non-financial supports to facilitate the establishment, development and growth of small businesses in County Kilkenny . The Board in particular is keen to improve the entrepreneurial environment, as well as the viability and management development capability of small businesses. The Board is now firmly established as the first point of contact for small businesses, offering a wide range of customised supports from basic information and advice through to grant-aid.

The Board approved financial assistance totalling circa €485,000 to an additional 32 business projects in 2005. These projects have the potential to create an additional 58 full-time jobs when fully operational. This brings the total number of jobs created by the Board in the last 10 years to over 900, at a cost per job of just €5,600, which represents excellent value for EU and Exchequer funding.

A total of 519 people participated in over 46 training & management development programmes organised and delivered by the Board in 2005. These ranged from ‘Start Your Own Business’ Training Courses through to ‘Computerised Accounts’ Training to ‘Financial Training’ and ‘Sales & Marketing’ Programmes for Business Owners. A further 117 people were supported by the Board through its Technical Assistance and Mentoring Programmes.

The more successful small businesses tend to be promoted by owners that pay particular attention to detail, that have proper management controls and business planning techniques in place and that have an ability to respond quickly to change. In this regard, the CEBs provide a ‘ladder’ of supports, that take account of the various stages of development and circumstances of their clients, while at the same time encouraging and facilitating them to ‘step-up’ to the next level.

The Board also signed local agreements with community groups in Castlecomer and Callan for the retention of a Business Development Executiveto help each community prepare and implement a plan of locally based enterprise actions.

The Board in conjunction with the Kilkenny Industrial Development Company Limited (KIDCo) and the Waterford Institute of Technology, continued to sponsor a Research Studentto undertake a major economic survey of targeted business sectors in Kilkenny and its surrounding hinterland, which will include a labour force and skills survey.