Annual Report 2005 - English Version ( pdf file - 3340 kb in size)

Limerick County Council Annual Report 2005Annual Progress Report on Corporate PlanSection 134 of the Local Government Act 2001, requirespreparation and submission of an Annual ProgressReport on the Corporate Plan to the Elected Members.Each Directorate produced a progress report on theirOperational Plan and these reports were put before theMembers at the April 2006 Monthly meeting.The following is a report on some of the mainoutcomes contained in the Annual Progress Report.Social InclusionA review of Housing and Planning Permission formswas carried out by the County Limerick VEC LiteracyService.Audits were completed in relation to accessibilityin County Council facilities and disabled parkingprovision in public areas regulated by the Council.Disability Awareness Training for Staff and Membersof the Council was completed.A customer survey on service delivery was undertaken.The County Library conducted a review of bookpurchase to meet the changing population profile.Quality of LifeA new Library in Glin was opened to the public inSeptember 2005. Participation is ongoing in the AdultLiteracy referral Network.Under the Arts Programme for 2005 various elementsof the programme were completed such as the Artist inSchools, Musician in residence, Administration of ArtsGrants, Individual and Organisation Bursaries and thelecture series on Limerick’s Built Heritage. Once againthe annual literary festival Eigse Michael Hartnett wasa major success.The implementation of the Local Sports PartnershipSport and Recreation Plan was completed. The CountyPlay Plan was adopted. Comhairle na n-Óg was hostedin County Hall in March 2005.HousingUnder the delivery of the Building Programme thetarget set was commencement of 114 houses in 2005and this target was achieved. Twenty housing units forthe elderly were provided as part of the aim to providehousing for the elderly in all new housing schemes.The Voluntary Housing Sector commenced 75 housingunits exceeding the set target. Under the Windows andDoors Replacement Programme works on 129 houseswere completed.TransportationThe Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase 2 projectincorporating the fourth crossing of the RiverShannon progressed through the tender stage withthe Provisional Preferred Tenderer being identified inSeptember 2005.The Preferred Route Corridor for the N21 Adare Bypasswas identified.The Croom Urban Renewal Scheme was also completedduring the year.Water ServicesThe Council delivered equivalent of over 100 billionglasses of potable water to its customers in 2005. Wesupplied over 28000 households together with a rangeof non-domestic customers.In excess of 9000 laboratory tests were carried out on1101 samples taken from water suppliesMajor Capital Projects were advanced through thevarious approval processes associated with theNational Water Services Investment Programme.The first sewage treatment plant was constructedunder the Small Towns and Villages Initiative atKilfinane.The Water Conservation Team continued to make asignificant impact. To quote one example, a saving indaily consumption of 792 cubic meters was achieved inthe water demand in Abbeyfeale; this represented 22% of the plant output.PlanningThe County Development Plan 2005-2011 was finalisedand formally adopted in accordance with the Planningand Development Act 2000. Local Area Plans for theSouthern Environs, Caherdavin and Cappamorewere completed.A total of 3723 applications were all processed inaccordance with the statutory deadlines. In the areaof Planning Enforcement 340 cases were investigatedresulting in the issuing of 212 warning letters and 128Enforcement Notices.48