Cllr. Tomas Breathnach, Chairperson

Cllr. Pat Crotty, Mayor

It is a great privilege for us as Cathaoirleach and Mayor of Kilkenny County & City Councils to introduce the Annual Report for 2008. This report outlines the two Local Authorities many and varied activities throughout the City & County across all services. Some of the highlights of the year include:-

• The adoption in June 2008 of both the Kilkenny County & City Environs Development Plans for the year 2008/2014. This plan puts in place a development strategy for the next 6 year period with major growth targeted for Kilkenny City as a hub and the Ferrybank Belview area as part of the Waterford City Gateway.

• In addition a total of 9 Local Area Plans were advanced. The Loughmacask and Woodstock Local Area Plans were advanced to the point of adoption.

• During 2008, 150 households were housed under the Housing social programme across the city and county. The expenditure on social housing capital provision amounted to €25.5 million in 2008 in the City and County of Kilkenny.

• The ambitious road and transportation programme continued throughout 2008. Amongst the highlights of the programme was the completion of the M8 Cullahill/Cashel Motorway in December 2008. Construction work commenced in January 2008 on the M9/N9 Carlow/Knocktopher. Opening of same is expected in 2010.

• Substantial progress has been made in 2008 in advancing of the Water Services Capital Programme and in improvement of the operation of water and waste water facilities.

• One of the key aims of Kilkenny County & City Councils is achieving improved levels of water conservation. One of the county water conservation projects have now been completed. We have also distributed water conservation booklets to non domestic consumers i.e. businesses, agriculture and schools. The water conservation tips programme has been launched on KCLR during 2008.

• The River Nore Linear Park continues to progress. The benefit of this facility to the people of the City & County of Kilkenny was highlighted by LAMA awarding the walk the best public park for 2008.

• Other amenities provided include the completion of additional playgrounds in Ballyhale, Newpark and Graignamanagh bringing to 15 in the County and the completion of Phase 3 of the Woodstock Project. 35,000 visitors visit this amenity annually.

• The Parade project in Kilkenny City commenced and should be completed in 2009. This is part of the ongoing drive to highlight Kilkenny City's natural beauty and heritage and provide a City centre attractive for both locals and tourists alike.

• The Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council funded new public sports and leisure complex, the Watershed opened its doors to the public on Monday 15th December, 2008. This world class facility comprising of 3 swimming pools, a multipurpose sports arena, a fitness gym and aerobics studio combined with the existing Scanlon Park athletics track and outdoor pitches will transform the recreational facilities available to people in the city and county. As Cathaoirleach and Mayor we are especially proud of this development.

 

Some positive events that took place during 2008 was the conferring of the Freedom of the City on Seamus Pattison and Brian Cody. Seamus has had a distinguished career in both national and local politics stretching back for 45 years where as Brian Cody has lead our county to unprecedented success. The ceremony held in Kilkenny Castle was a memorable one and it was a great opportunity to honour both recipients. The ceremony held a few weeks later in the Watershed conveying civic honours on Brian Cody by Kilkenny County Council and honouring the 7 All Ireland winning hurling and camogie teams was another landmark. It was the first civic honour of its kind bestowed by the County Council and marked the end of unprecedented successes on our sports field.

 

There were also Cathaoirleach's receptions granted to 3 of our leading athletes Eileen O'Keeffe, Joanne Cuddihy and Emily Maher who have distinguished themselves on the international athletics scene. In April 2008 a further reception was granted to the Conahy Hurling team on their success in the All Ireland Junior Club Championship. To round off the year on a positive note a reception was granted to the James Stephens U-14 Feile All Ireland winning team marking their record breaking 7th success in this competition.

 

One item that has given us particular pleasure as Cathaoirleach and Mayor of Kilkenny is the work that is being done to construct a fitting memorial to James Hoban the designer of the Whitehouse. We believe that the promotion of the links between Ireland and America through one of the USA's founding fathers being born in County Kilkenny will bear fruit over the years to come.

 

The difficult financial situation nationally and internationally has brought forward many challenges for the City & County. We are acutely aware of the difficulties facing the citizens of Kilkenny and the difficult decisions that will have to be made by both the County & Borough Council's in the year to come.

 

Despite the challenges facing the local authorities,our time as Cathaoirleach and Mayor is proving to be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. It is particularly heartening to see the community spirit and the spirit of volunteerism which we experience on an almost daily basis from the people at functions and events which we attend in an official capacity. Also, the efforts amongst those within the service industry and elsewhere to market Kilkenny as a destination and a brand shows that despite these difficult times, the message is out there that Kilkenny is open for business.

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our fellow Councillors on the County & Borough Council's and also the management and staff of these two authorities for the cooperation and support which they have given us during our term. We would like to also express thanks to our predecessors Cllrs. Tom Maher and Marie Fitzpatrick,and we particularly wish to thank the Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Dunphy and Deputy Mayor Cllr.Betty Manning for their help and cooperation during the year.

 

 

_______________________                                      ___________________
Cllr. Tomas Breathnach                                                Cllr. Pat Crotty
MCC Cathaoirleach                                                       MCC Mayor