It is the role of Kilkenny Borough Council to administer local authority services within the Borough of Kilkenny. Such duties include infrastructure, community and civic services and the Borough Council plays a major role in the preservation of Kilkenny's medieval heritage and in the development of Kilkenny as a major tourist centre.

 

Kilkenny Borough Council Members

MAYOR David FitzGerald (FG) 24 Patrick Street, Kilkenny.	056 7770888 086 2514041	david@davidfitzgerald.ie
DEPUTY MAYOR Seán Ó hArgáin (LAB) "Sceilg", Greenshill, Kilkenny.	0874192322	ohargain@eircom.net
Andrew McGuinness (FF) Constituency Office, O'Loughlin Road, Kilkenny.	056 7770672 086 8705811	cllrandrewmcguinness@gmail.com
Martin Brett (FG) Derdimus, Tennypark, Kilkenny.	056 7761116 087 2651272	Martin.brett@kilkennycoco.ie
Joe Malone (FF) 11 Maiden Hill Estate, Kilkenny.	086 3128838
John Coonan (FF) 17 Willow Close, Ardnore, Kilkenny.	056 7762398 086 8145020	john.noonan@kilkennycity.ie
Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Féin) 28, Whitescastle, Knocktopher, Co. Kilkenny.	056 7766709 056 7721267 087 1249702	kathleenfunchion@gmail.com
Paul Cuddihy (FG) Granges Road, Kilkenny.	087 9931484	paul.cuddihy@kilkennycity.ie
Joe Reidy (FF) Parliament House, Parliament Street, Kilkenny.	056 7767824 056 7762616 087 2498197	joe.reidy@kilkennycity.ie

 

Profile of the City

Kilkenny City is a place of urban settlement which has endured through the centuries by adapting to the needs of its inhabitants, whilst retaining its unique appeal to visitors.

The unique built heritage and winding streetscapes provides a link to ancient times whilst continuing to be a vibrant place to live and work. Kilkenny retains its charm by allowing modern uses in old buildings so that they don't become museum pieces, but rather provide the means to enjoy old buildings in modern settings. Kilkenny celebrated 800 years of town government in 2007 and 400 years of City government in 2009. Kilkenny City's 1609 Charter of James 1st conferred Kilkenny with City Status.
 

 

A Compact City

One of Kilkenny's strengths is its compact nature, both in physical size and in scale. The pattern of narrowed streets with ancient slip ways provides an ambience which pedestrians can enjoy and facilitate easy access and movement around the city. The street network has remained largely undisturbed over the centuries.

The High Street is a vibrant area, with a mix of uses to attract shoppers and workers.

The historic core - the spine from Kilkenny Castle through High Street, Parliament Street, Irishtown, to St. Canice's Cathedral, links these various themes of civic authority and worship. The Tholsel, was the seat of urban local government with its arcaded front and distinctive bell tower has acted as a focal point for local governance for centuries.

A long tradition of local politics is maintained to the present day, whilst the civic archive is preserved there as a reminder of the urban history of Kilkenny.
 

 

Provision of Services

Many of the functions of Kilkenny Borough Council are being provided jointly under a shared services model of delivery with Kilkenny County Council and are reported under the relevant Directorates reports. Kilkenny Borough Council continues to provide services directly in the following areas: Roads, Transportation, Planning, Development, Urban Renewal & Enhancement, Burial Ground, Streetscape Improvements, Parks & Recreation, Refuse Collection & Street Cleaning, Car Parks & on street parking, Civic Receptions & Occasions.

Amongst the achievement in 2011 were:

Roads and Transportation

• Car Park Information Signage 90% complete.
• Bus Stops in place. New Bus Stops with proprietary Kerbs 50% complete.
• Pedestrian Bridge (John's Quay to Bateman Quay) (Consultants appointed).
• Traffic Management Schemes at Michael Street, Jacob Street, Upper New Street, Fr. Hayden Road and Robertshill.
• Mobility Improvements and refurbishment of John Street.
• Low Cost Accident Scheme Improvements at College Road (Mini Roundabout), Dominic Street, The Butts, Bennettsbridge Road.
• New/Improved Footpaths at Jacob Street, Fr. Hayden Road, St. John's Church, Bateman Quay, James Street, Bishop's Hill, Kennyswell Road.
• Surface Restoration at Maudlin Street, Lower John Street, Jacob Street, Upper New Street, Nuncio Road, Fr. Hayden Road, James Street, Troysgate Roundabout, Bishopshill and Thomas Street.
• Recreational Routes along the river Talbot's Inch/Green's Bridge, Peace Park and Lacken to Ossory Bridge.
• Capacity Improvements Kilkenny Ring Road 75% Complete.
• Kells Road Improvement Land Acquisition Stage.
• Car Park Improvements at St. Mary's Church.
• Implementation of On Street Parking Charges.

All works within the Borough are funded predominantly by the revenue accruing from car parking charges.

 

Planning and Development

The Council received 70 Planning Applications in 2011 - 58 were valid applications and 12 were invalid.

• A total of 55 decisions were made. Planning permission was granted in 46 cases and 9 applications were refused.
• 149 Pre-Planning Meetings were held in 2011.

The decreased level of activity in the planning area due to the economic downturn is reflected in the decrease in planning fees over the last couple of years as follows:

• 2009 - €33,629
• 2010 - €18,778
• 2011 - €14,658

 

Compliance and Enforcement

The Planning Department of Kilkenny Borough continue to place far greater emphasis on compliance with existing planning conditions, and follow up enforcement where appropriate.

Legal proceedings have been initiated in certain cases, and it is intended to continue to devote resources to the compliance/enforcement area to ensure orderly development consistent with planning conditions.

• Complaints for Non-Compliance - 35
• Warning Letters & Enforcement Notices - 13

 

Streetscape Paint Scheme

The Borough Council announced a 'Streetscape Paint Scheme' for the first time in 2010.

The scheme was continued into 2011 and expanded to included hand painted signage. A fund of €10,000 was allocated to assist with the cost of painting the front façade of buildings within the administrative area of Kilkenny Borough Council.

There was a considerable uptake on the scheme, details of which as follows;

• Number of Applications: 13
• Number of Approved Applicants: 13
• Number who availed of the Scheme: 9

 

Kilkenny won the Large Urban Centre Award for the second year running in the 2011 Tidy Towns Competition

 

Section 254 Licences

Applications for licences under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 have proven to be increasingly popular in Kilkenny City.
 

Parks and Open Spaces

The presentation of open spaces throughout the city is of a high standard and Kilkenny achieved a significant result in the 2011 Tidy Towns competition, winning the Large Urban Centre Award for the second year in a row and finishing in fourth place overall.

• Amenity improvements were carried out in Bateman Quay and Robertshill while the landscaping of the roundabouts on Kilkenny Ring Road presents a very positive image on the approaches to the City.
• A major amenity/traffic management scheme for John's Green, is currently under construction and when completed, will add significantly to the amenity value of the public realm in the City.
• An allotment site was developed on lands owned by the County Council to the rear of Shandon Park and a number of plots are in cultivation. Works will conclude on the site in early 2012 which will include the provision of a water supply, compost area and site fencing.
• In addition works will be carried out to regularise the entrance to the site from Shandon Park.
• Kilkenny Local Authorities have also purchased the old disused section of railway line from Iarnrod Eireann. These lands, when landscaped, will further add to the amenity offer in the area.