Mr Joe Crocket,
County and City Manager.

The 2011 Annual Report of Kilkenny County & Borough Councils represents an important record of the work of the Councils throughout the year. The report not only highlights the major developments of 2011 but also covers the important and vital services provided on an on-going basis. Kilkenny is strategically important centre for industry and commerce in the southeast, and is the home of some of this region's most significant agriculture, food and financial services companies. The city and county is also a major tourism and retail destination and hosts many nationally important festivals and events.

Like Councils throughout Ireland in 2011, Kilkenny County and Borough Councils faced a challenging period of both financial and service delivery management. We have responded by reviewing the structure and policies of the organisation to enable more effective service delivery and to provide greater value for money.

With this in mind, a key priority for the year was to create efficiencies wherever possible in order that high quality utilities and services could continue to be provided to the people and businesses of Kilkenny. The quantity and quality of these services are measured through a series of "series performance indicators" which are a very real and true measure of the work that the Councils have undertaken in the past year.

In addition to focusing on maintenance of quality services, the Council is committed to investing in important infrastructural projects designed to improve the quality of life and improve Kilkenny's attractiveness as a destination for new investment and business into Kilkenny. With this in mind; the report contains details of projects such as extensive road improvement works, completion of the Bellview water scheme and significant investment in public amenities throughout the city and county.

The Invest Kilkenny marketing campaign was also launched, this is a high profile campaign designed to help us engage with overseas and domestic businesses seeking location opportunities in Ireland.