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 member ship at 31st December 2003 was as follows:

MAYOR: Councillor Pat Crotty (FG)

 

DEPUTY MAYOR: Councillor Martin Brett (FG)

 

ALDERMEN:

Alderman John J. McGuinness (FF) (resigned 30/09/03 due to abolition of the Dual Mandate)

 

Alderman John Coonan (FF)

 

Alderman Michael Lanigan (FF)

 

Alderman Joe Cody (LABOUR)

 

COUNCILLORS:

Councillor Joe Reidy (FF)

 

Councillor Eveyln White (FF)

 

Councillor Paul Cuddihy (FG)

 

Councillor Tony Patterson (LABOUR)

 

Councillor Marie Fitzpatrick (LABOUR)

 

Administration:

• County Manager: Mr. Michael Malone
• Town Clerk: Mr. Donal O'Brien
• Senior Engineer: Mr. Billy Mernagh

The Municipal Rate for 2003 was €48.90

 

 

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 The Sovereign and Council of Twelve have since been replaced by a Mayor, and Councillors.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.

 

 

PLANNING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Number of Planning application received in 2003: 151
Number of Permissions: 81 (53.48%, as a % of Decisions)
Number of Refusals: 16 (10.56%, as a % of Decisions)

% decided within 58 days / 8 weeks / 2 months: 38.28%

 

 

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 business and schools and visited all schools at the start of the year and enforcement of anti litter legislation.

Scoop the Poop campaign was launched and posters were erected at locations around the town.

Ashmount Cigarette Bins were erected at the Swimming Pool, City Hall and Market Yard Car Park.

 

Litter Statistics (2003)

No. of on the Spot Fines: 145
No. of prosecutions: 1 (won where the Defendant was fined €1,400)
The Litter Warden Mr. David Corrigan can be contacted on 087-7980616 or 056-7794526 or david.corrigan@kilkennycity.ie

 

European Car Free Day - 22nd September 2003

"In Town without my Car" 2003 was Kilkenny's second year of participation in European Car Free Day. High Street was closed to vehicles from 10.30 am to 6.00 pm. The aim of Car Free Day is to raise awareness of the environmental impact of our transport choices and to encourage the use of sustainable modes of Transport.

 

HOUSING 2003

HOUSING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• 18 families assisted in obtaining suitable housing accommodation.
• 7 Annuity Loans totalling €585,859.85 advanced.
• 6 Reconstruction Loans totalling €52,422.69 advanced.
• 19 Local Authority Dwellings sold under Tenant Purchase Scheme.

 

HOUSING CONSTRUCTION / ACQUISITION PROGRAMME

• 9 Dwellings purchased by Kilkenny Borough Council
• 7 No. Units Under Construction at Fr. Albert Place

OSSORY PARK REMEDIAL SCHEME
Completed Internal and External:	No.2
Completed excluding External Treatment Works:	No.23, 52, 57, 58, 59, 61, 63
Undergoing refurbishment works at present:	No.27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 54, 55, 60

 

A Working Group has been established comprising representatives of Ossory Park Residents Committee and the Borough Council. A Liaison Officer has also been appointed to work with the Working Group. The intention of the Working Group is to progress the scheme in the best possible. Currently a plan is underway for the next phase(s) of works.

 

 

ROAD TRANSPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

During 2003 Kilkenny Borough Council continued with its Roadworks Programme - the following is a brief description of each project.

CIRCULAR ROAD

This road & footpath were in extremely poor condition prior to commencement of work. The footpath was improved. A heavy duty reinforcing mesh was laid on the road prior to resurfacing with stone mastic asphalt.

LORD EDWARD ST.

This old concrete road was planed, cracked & seated and resurfaced with SMA.

ABBEY ST.

Castlestone paving was laid on this street thus completing work around the Black Abbey and enhancing the area around Black Freren Gate.

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.

HIGH ST.

Repairs undertaken to limestone kerbing and castlestone paving.

ST. FRANCIS TERRACE

Concrete road cracked and seated and overlaid with wearing course macadam.

PEARSE ST, McDONAGH ST., CONNOLLY ST., ST. JOSEPHS ROAD

These roads were resurfaced as part of the 2003 programme. Ramps were also put down on each road making the area safer for local children, the footpath on St Joseph's Rd was also resurfaced.

COOTE'S LANE

A new footpath was constructed here making access/egress from school safer for parents and children.

GRANGES ROAD

Isolated repairs undertaken, overlay due to be done in 2004.

O'LOUGHLIN ROAD

A new footpath was constructed on the Nowlan Park Side of O'Loughlin Rd.

FR. ALBERT PLACE

Speed ramps were installed here for the purpose of reducing traffic speeds through this residential area.

PARNELL ST.

Resurfaced with Stone Mastic Asphalt and relined, also footpath repairs undertaken.

CHAPEL LANE

Improvements commenced in 2003, street should be completed by March 2004.

 

 

SANITARY SERVICES

Charges for non-metered commercial premises were set at €335 with metered charges set at €3.60 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.