Annual Report 2011.pdf (size 6 MB) - Offaly County Council

The contribution of all the staff who worked to make the
Presidential visit to Moneygall such a success;
Prolonged salting of roads during the coldest winters
experienced for many decades;
Unaccounted for water restored to 2010 levels, following
the major impact the severe cold weather had on our
water network;
The attendance of over 600 potential entrepreneurs,
existing businesses and industry experts at the unique
one day Start and Grow Enterprise Expo in Tullamore in
November 2011;
The publication of the ‘Doing Business in Offaly’ guide;
Redevelopment of Shannon Harbour completed in 2011;
The first Pop Up Shop in Tullamore opened;
Progress on the Tullamore/Kilbeggan Link road and
Banagher Link Road Phase 2;
Completion of Consultation phase on Transportation
Study for Tullamore Town in November 2011 (final report
is pending);
Emergency response by the Civil Defence during the
severe weather and the support of over 50 events in the
community;
€150,000 in funding secured from the Department of
Tourism, Transport and Sport to develop/upgrade Multi
Use Games Areas in 4 locations throughout the county;
Grants to Tullamore and Birr Swimming Pools received
from the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport to
enhance disabled access and improve energy efficiencies;
132 housing grants approved under the following
schemes: HAGS - 45; HAOP - 79; and MAGS - 8;
154 units delivered under the Part V process, 75 of which
are Affordable units;
377 Student Grants approved for the 2011/2012
academic year;
Review of the Midland’s Waste Management Plan
completed;
The upgrade to the Tullamore Wastewater Treatment
Plant progressed in 2011;
Refurbishment of Tullamore Library commenced;
An overall increased demand for library services with
visits, issues, internet use and membership showing
increases;
DEHLG findings in relation to the National Housing
Development Survey showed that, like every other
authority in the country Offaly has issues with Unfinished
Housing Developments. The report found that Offaly has
one of the lowest number of unfinished houses
nationally;
426 groups affiliated to Offaly Community Forum;
Offaly Comhairle na nÓg held successful youth
conference entitled ‘Say it out Loud’;
The hosting of a civic reception to acknowledge the
achievement of our special Olympic athletes and the
commitment and dedication of the athletes, families,
volunteers and clubs involved with Special Olympics in
Offaly;
Submission of quarterly reports on our financial
performance to IMF/EU;
Consolidation of the implementation of national HR,
Payroll and Superannuation project.
The challenges facing the Council are many. Our job is to
meet these challenges in a spirit of dedication to excellence
in service provision, to greater organisational efficiencies, to
increasing flexibility, and a commitment to the people of
Offaly that we will use all the resources we can call on to
enhance the economic, social and cultural development of
the County. So as we look back at a year characterised by
significant achievement, we can also look forward, confident
that Offaly County Council will continue to meet the
challenges and realities of modern Ireland.