FOREWORD
As will be seen = from this report, considerable progress was achieved in 2007 in delivering new infrastructure projects and improved services.<= o:p>
·
The extension of the C=
arlow
Inner Relief Road towards Ballinacarrig including a new bridge over t=
he
Burren River was completed
·
Work on the Carlow Southern
Relief road between Quinnagh and Blackbog roads was opened. =
·
Significant work was
undertaken on the Carlow Eastern Relief roads between the N9 and the R726
Hacketstown roads.
·
The public consultation proc=
esses
for new traffic management works to improve traffic management through
Muinebheag and Tullow was completed during the year.
·
A draft Road Safety Plan
2007-2012 was initiated and Carlow County Council implemented a car-=
free
day in Carlow Town
·
A policy in respect of the sale of cars =
on
the roadside was adopted by members.
In the area of
economic development and promotion:-
·
Merck Sharpe Dohme --t=
he
global healthcare company and seventh largest pharmaceutical company in the
world announced the establishment of a € 200 million strategic vacci=
ne
facility in Carlow IDA Business and Technology Park during 2007. The proje=
ct
will create 170 jobs.
·
Approval was received from t=
he
Department of Communications for the installation of broadband in Tullow a=
nd
Bagenalstown
· Economic Study commissioned = in respect of Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch <= o:p>
Carl=
ow
County Development Board established an interagency working gro=
up
which developed an Interagency Strategy for the Co-ordination of Services =
and
Supports to the Traveller Community in County Carlow 2007-2009. =
A
Newcomers Guide to the South East and Carlow was launched in March 2007 an=
d is
a collaborative approach under the County Development process to address t=
he
employment issues of non nationals
<= o:p>
The positive
partnership approach that exists in County Carlow between Communities, Tidy
Towns, Businesses, Schools and the local authorities led to many successes
in 2007
In the Nat=
ional
Tidy Towns competition:-
Clonegal won the County Award and also achieved Silver Medal Status for the first time<= o:p>
Leighlinbridge
achieved Gold Medal Status for the fourth time and represented Carlow in t=
he
All-Ireland Best Kept Towns initiative
Carlow Town reta=
ined
their Silver Medal.
In the IBAL Litt= er League, Carlow Town again achieved litter free status. <= o:p>
In t=
he
National Co-Operation Pride of Place Awards :
Mysh= all, Rathvilly and the Delta Centre represented Carlow.Delta Centre won their category for innovation in services for people with special needs.Myshall = won their population category for best community in the country. <= span lang=3DEN-GB style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1'><= o:p>
Carlow &nbs= p;Local Authorities achieved a number of successes in the Chamber s Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards <= o:p>
Overall winner i=
n the
Category of Economic Development for both the initiative and website relat=
ing
to " Click for Carlow"
Commended for two projects ---Partnership with business Award -- Carlow Wi-Fi network <= /span><= o:p>
&nbs= p; = &n= bsp; &nbs= p; Social and Community Award --New Oak Community Centre.<= o:p>
Carlow Local
Authorities were one of six short-listed for the Local Authority of the
year 2007 award.
Significant prog= ress was made in Recreation ,amenity & Arts. <= o:p>
Ducketts Grove
Heritage House and Walled Gardens opened
Work commenced o=
n the
provision of playground and mini pitches at Borris
Construction work
commenced on VISUAL the National Centre for Contemporary Art and the George
Bernard Shaw Theatre.
Carlow Local Authorities published its first Strategic Arts Plan. <= o:p>
In housing, the
Carlow local authorities continued to make significant progress with the
Councils Social & Affordable Action Plan 2004 – 2008 which was
reviewed by the Housing & Social Policy Committee in 2007. 132 l=
ocal
authority houses were constructed and completed in 2007. 46 transfers=
were
completed under RAS .
A great void was=
left
in the membership of Carlow County Council in 2007 with the deaths of
Councillors Michael Meaney and Enda Nolan. Councillor M. Meaney repres=
ented
the Borris electoral area for over 34 years and Councillor E. Nolan the
Muinebheag Electoral area for over 21 years. Councillor Nolan also served as a=
member
of Muinebheag Town Council. <=
/span>A=
r dheis
Dé go raibh a anam
We wish to expre=
ss
our appreciation and thanks to the Elected Members, Chairpersons and Membe=
rs of
the Strategic Policy Committees, Area Committees and Staff for their
commitment, co-operation and support in the delivery of services which imp=
act
so much on the quality of life of the people in Carlow.
We also thank the
local communities, commercial agencies, public agencies, development
associations and voluntary groups for their positive involvement.
We trust that th=
is
annual report will give a better insight into the broad range of activities
which are undertaken by the Carlow local authorities to further economic a=
nd
social development.
<= o:p>
&=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp;Jim
Townsend ,
C= athaoirleach,<= o:p>
C=
arlow
County Council.
&= nbsp;<= o:p>
&=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp;Michael
Abbey ,
C= athaoirleach,<= o:p>
C=
arlow
Town Council.
&= nbsp;<= o:p>
&=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp;
&=
nbsp;Derek
Mahon ,
C= athaoirleach,<= o:p>
&= nbsp;<= o:p>
&= nbsp;<= o:p>
&=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp;
C=
ounty
Manager.
<= o:p>
=
&=
nbsp;Borris Electoral Area
Thomas Kinsell=
a,
Kilcumney, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny =
=
Fine
Gael
William
Quinn,Clasheen, Spahill, ,Borris, Co Carlow &=
nbsp; =
The
Labour Party
Alan Price,
Clasheen,Ballybrack,Ballymurphy,Borris,Carlow =
The
Green Party
Cllr Michael M=
eaney
died on the 28th January 2007.
Cllr William Q=
uinn
was co-opted to the membership of Carlow County Council at Counc=
il
meeting held on the 2nd April 2007
Cllr Mary Whit=
e
resigned her position on Carlow County Council following
her election to Dail Eireann in 2007.
Cllr Alan Pric=
e was
co-opted to the membership of Carlow County Council at Council
meeting held on 25th June 2007
Declan Alcock,=
96
Pearse Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow. &=
nbsp; =
Fine
Gael
Joe MacDonald,=
2
Pinewood Avenue, Carlow. =
=
=
Fianna
Fáil
Jennifer Murna=
ne,
Portlaoise Rd, Graiguecullen, Carlow. =
Fianna
Fáil
Michael Abbey,=
32
Green Road, Carlow. =
=
=
Fine
Gael
Des Hurley, 30=
, St.
Fiacc’s Terrace, Graiguecullen, Carlow =
The
Labour Party
Rody Kelly, 16
Oaklawns, Dublin Road, Carlow. =
=
=
Fianna
Fáil
Walter Lacey,
‘Drogheda’, 58 Bullock Park, Carlow. =
; =
Progressive
Democrats
Lorraine Hynes=
, 10,
Castlewood Gardens, Carlow &nbs=
p; =
=
Fianna
Fáil
Michael Doran,=
Main
Street, Leighlinbridge. &=
nbsp; <=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'> =
=
Fine
Gael
Denis Foley, 1 Chestnut Court, Royal Oak Road, Muinebheag. =
Fine
Gael
Arthur McDonal=
d,
Kilcarrig, Fenagh Road, Bagenalstown. =
Fianna
Fáil
David
O Brien,Regent Street Muinebheag Co Carlow &nb=
sp; =
Fianna
Fail
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp;
Jim Townsend,
Ballybar Upper, Carlow. &=
nbsp; =
=
=
The
Labour Party
Cllr Enda=
Nolan
died on the 8th April 2007
Cllr David O B=
rien
was co-opted to the membership of Carlow County Council at meeting held on=
the
25th June 2007.
&=
nbsp;
Michael Deerin=
g,
Ballybit, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow. &nbs=
p; =
=
Fine
Gael
Fred Hunter, R=
aheen,
Tobinstown, Tullow, Co. Carlow. =
; =
Fine
Gael
P.J. Kavanagh,=
The
Mill, Ballyredmond, Clonegal, Co. Carlow.&=
nbsp; F=
ianna
Fáil
William Paton,=
3
Shillelagh Grove, Tullow, Co. Carlow. =
; =
The
Labour Party
John Pender,
‘Grangeview’, Friarstown, Carlow. =
=
Fianna
Fáil
&=
nbsp;
= &= nbsp;<= o:p>
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
= Carlow County Council has four Strategic Policy Committees which w= ere established under the Local Government Act 2001<= o:p>
&=
nbsp;
<= /strong><= o:p>
Cllr Rody Kell=
y =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
Carlow
County Council
Cllr Thomas Ki=
nsella =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
Carlow
County Council
Cllr Walter La=
cey =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Alan Pric=
e &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Ann Ahern=
nee
Long &n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Carlow
Town Council
Mr. Michael
Brennan =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; Envir=
onment/Conservation
Mr. Eamon Moor=
e =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Environment/Conservation
Mr. Jim Browne &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; Farmi=
ng
Sector
<= /strong><= o:p>
The Environment Strategic Policy Committee considered the following issues:&nb= sp;<= o:p>
·
Waste Presentation
Bye-laws
· Car Free Day<= o:p>
·
Management
of Carlow Local Authorities Cemeteries
· Monitoring of Waste Management Permits<= o:p>
=
&=
nbsp;Councillor
John Pender CHAIRPERSON
<= /strong><= o:p>
Cllr Michael A=
bbey =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Michael D=
oran =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Lorraine =
Hynes =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; Carlow
County Council
Cllr William Q=
uinn =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Jennifer =
Murnane
O’Connor &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Liam
O’Brien =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; Muinebheag
Town Council
Mr. Frank Comerford &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Voluntary
Housing Sector
Ms. Bella
Stafford &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Voluntary
Housing Sector
Ms. Annie Parker-Byrne &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; Volunta=
ry
Housing Sector
T=
he
Housing and Social Strategic Policy Committee considered the followi=
ng
issues:
·
Delivering Homes --Sustaining Communities
Policy
·
Housing Adaptation Grant Schem for Peopl=
e with
Disabilities
·
Housing Adaption Grant Scheme for Older
People
·
Mobility Aid Grant Scheme
·
Affordable Housing -Operation and
Implementation Policy.
P=
LANNING,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL
C=
ouncillor
William Paton CHAIRPERSON
<= /strong><= o:p>
Cllr Des Hurle=
y =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
Carlow
County Council
Cllr Joe MacDo=
nald =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
=
Carlow
County Council
Cllr Arthur
McDonald &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Carlow
County Council
Cllr &nbs=
p;David
O Brien =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; Carlow
County Council
Cllr Pad=
dy
Kiely &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; Muinebheag
Town Council
Mr. Michael Br=
owne =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
Trade
Union Sector
Mr. Pat Cahill=
=
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; Carlow
Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Philip
Sharkey =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; Community/Voluntary
Sector
T=
he
Planning, Economic Development and Cultural SPC considered/discussed the
following issues:
&=
nbsp;
·
Review of Carlow County Development
Plan
·
Carlow Town Environs Draft LAP
·
Kildavin LAP
·
Clonegal LAP
·
Operation of Public Parks
·
Bagenalstown Town Centre Plan
·
Muinebheag by-pass/variation to Muinebhe=
ag
LAP
·
Tullow Town Centre Plan
·
Borris Town Centre Renewal/Crisp
·
Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor in Pu=
blic
Places Bye -Laws
·
Social and Community
Projects,Rathvilly,Bagenalstown
·
Tourism
<= /strong><= o:p>
C=
ouncillor
Fred Hunter CHAIRPERSON
Cllr Michael D=
eering =
=
=
Carlow
County Council
Cllr Denis Fol=
ey &n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
=
Carlow
County Council
Cllr P.J. Kava=
nagh =
=
=
=
Carlow
County Council
CllrThomas
O’Neill =
; =
=
=
Carlow
Town Council
Cllr Jim
Townsend &nbs=
p; =
=
=
Carlow
County Council
Mr. Tom
Geoghegan &nb=
sp; =
=
=
Carlow
Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Keith Grah=
am =
=
=
=
Carlow
Chamber of Commerce
Mr John K=
ehoe &nb=
sp; =
=
Farming
Sector
The
Transportation and Infrastructure SPC considered /discussed the following
issues:
·
Tourism Signage Policy
·
Road Safety Plan 2007-2012
·
Policy in relation to sale of cars on ro=
ad
side
·
Burial ground bye-laws
·
N9 Motorway
·
New Cemetery Carlow Town
<=
span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:blac=
k;
mso-themecolor:text1'>Carlow County Council oversees the proper planning a=
nd
sustainable development of the County.&nb=
sp;
The day-to-day operation of the department involves responding to
pre-planning consultations, processing of planning applications, preparati=
on of
Local Area Plans, enforcement actions, building control and forward planni=
ng
and the Town Renewal Scheme.
Development control and enforcement will ensure that all developmen=
ts
are carried out in an orderly manner and the appropriate levies are obtain=
ed to
cater for the varying future needs of the County.
Co=
ntinued
work under the Town Renewal Scheme has resulted in the regeneration of many
sites in the urban areas of Bagenalstown, Tullow and Tinnahinch.
The County Development Plan contains
objectives to prepare Local Area Plans and in 2007 Local Area Plans for Ba=
llon,
Hacketstown, Clonegal and Kildavin were adopted and work continued on the
Carlow Town Environs Local Area Plan, culminating in the publication of a =
draft
plan in December 2007. These=
Local
Area Plans provided an opportunity for the public to have an input into the
framework document for development of their local communities.
The County Carlow Development Plan was adopted by the Council in
2003. The Plan provides for =
the
framework within which the sustainable development of the County will take
place over the period 2003–2009.&nb=
sp;
The County Development Plan seeks to promote and provide for the
development of Carlow in an orderly manner. The review of the County Developm=
ent
Plan commenced in 2007 and is expected to be complete in 2009.
In=
accordance
with the provisions of the Planning & Development Act 2000–2002,
Development Contributions Schemes were adopted providing for the levying o=
f a
contribution towards the provision of public infrastructure and facilities
applied in respect of residential and low-density residential developments=
in
Local Area Plan lands at Ballon, Hacketstown, Clonegal and Kildavin.
Town Council Planning
Ca=
rlow
County Council commenced providing the planning function of Carlow Town Co=
uncil
to the public in order to provide a single point of contact service.
Under the chairmanship of Cllr. William P=
aton,
this committee formulated and reviewed a number of policies in relation to
planning in 2007.
The following were considered by the Comm=
ittee:
·<=
span
style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Adoption of 4 Local Area Plans
·<=
span
style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Bye-laws for the control of the consumpti=
on of
intoxicating liquor in Tullow.
·<=
span
style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Prepared Draft Local Area Plan for Muineb=
heag
Town Centre.
|
Possible unauthorised developments investigated |
&nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
93 |
|
Warning letters issued |
30 |
|
Enforcement notices served |
10 |
|
No action necessary |
23 |
|
Legal proceedings initiated |
0 |
|
PLANNING APPLICATIONS - DECISION MAKING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
PLANNING AUTHORITY: |
Carlow County and T=
own
Councils combined |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Category |
Column A |
Column B |
Column C |
Column D |
Column E |
Col. F |
Col. G |
Column H |
Column J |
|
|
No. of |
No. of |
No. of |
No. of |
Average |
% of |
% of |
% of |
% of Cases |
|
|
applications |
Decisions |
decisions in |
Decisions in |
Length of |
Grants |
Refusals |
Cases |
where the |
|
|
determined |
in Column |
Column A |
Column A |
time taken |
|
|
where the |
decisions |
|
|
|
A which |
Which |
where an |
to |
|
|
decisions |
was |
|
|
|
Were |
required the |
extension of |
determine |
|
|
was |
reversed by |
|
|
|
Decided |
submission of |
time was |
an |
|
|
confirmed |
An Bord |
|
|
|
within 8 |
Further |
agreed to by |
application |
|
|
by An |
Pleanala |
|
|
|
Weeks |
Information |
the applicant |
where |
|
|
Bord |
|
|
|
|
|
|
under section |
Further |
|
|
Pleanala |
|
|
|
|
|
|
34(9) of the |
Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Planning and |
was sought |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Act 2000. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOUSING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEVELOPMENT |
85 |
38 |
46 |
1 |
81.08 |
81.17 |
18.83 |
66.66 |
33.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INDIVIDUAL HOUSE |
407 |
275 |
132 |
0 |
75.91 |
81.57 |
18.43 |
66.66 |
33.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER : Not |
698 |
605 |
90 |
0 |
75.45 |
96.86 |
3.15 |
68.18 |
31.82 |
|
Requiring EIA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER : Requiring EIA |
20 |
13 |
7 |
0 |
78.43 |
100 |
0 |
40.00 |
60.00 |
P2 Planning
Enforcement &=
nbsp;
=
;
The following indicator is
presented in the service indicators report: &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; <=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> =
&n=
bsp;
- P2.1 Total number of cases subject to
complaints that were investigated -
- P2.2 Total number of cases subject to
complaints that are dismissed =
;
- =
;
0
=
- &nb=
sp;
negotiations =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; 23
- P2.4 Total number of enforcement proce=
dures
taken through warning letters
=
;30
=
- &nb=
sp;
notices =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; 10
- P2.6 Total number of prosecution=
s =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
=
;
0
P3 Public opening hours –
=
; =
- average number of opening hours per =
week
– 35 hours per week 9.=
30
– 4.30 =
;
P4 Pre-Planning Consultation
· &n=
bsp;
=
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp;
· &n=
bsp;
actual formal meeting for pre-planning consultati=
on
– 3.5 days &n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
&n=
bsp; &nbs=
p; =
;
CORPORATE SERVICES
The Corporate Services Department&=
nbsp;
is responsible for the provision and management of a very wide rang=
e of
services which includes Council and Corporate Policy Group meetings ,Highe=
r Edu
REGISTER OF ELECTORS
A=
Register
of electors is produced annually. The Register of Electors is a list of all
persons over 18 years of age resident in the County who are entitled to vo=
te in
Elections to the Dail, European Parliament, Presidential, Local Elections =
and
Referenda. The total number of electors registered to vote on the 2006/2007
Register of Electors is 40,029 =
This figure is broken down per electoral area and type of elec=
tor
as follows
|
Local Electo=
ral
Areas |
Number of El=
ectors |
|
Borris |
5,295 |
|
Carlow Local
Electoral Area No. 1 |
4,491 |
|
Carlow Local
Electoral Area No. 2 |
10,142 |
|
Muinebheag |
9,426 |
|
Tullow |
10,675 |
·
38,632 Presidential Electora=
te
·
35,665 Dail Electors
·
39,406 European Electorate
·
124 Potential European Electora=
te
The following =
details
related to Postal and Special Voters:
• &=
nbsp; 4 Garda
• &=
nbsp; 144 =
Defence
Forces
• &=
nbsp; =
10 Disabled
Postal
• &=
nbsp; 172<=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Disabled =
Special
Higher Edu
Carlow County Council awards grants for higher edu
No of new appli<=
st1:PersonName
w:st=3D"on">cations
received in 2007 107
No of new grants
awarded =
; &=
nbsp;
90
No of renewal ap=
pli
No of renewal gr=
ants
awarded =
; &=
nbsp;
189
Courthouses
Carlow County Co=
uncil
continues to maintain Muinebheag and Tullow Courthouses.
Muinebheag Courthouse is no longer=
used
for the delivery of court services and is used by the Bagenalstown Family
Resource Centre.Court Services ceased to be delivered in Tullow in Decembe=
r.
2007.
Corners and Inquests
A part –time coroner is employed by Carlow County Council to =
carry
out inquests and post-mortem certifi
Workplace Partnership
During 2007 the process of modernisation, and the management of cha=
nge
and flexibility through Partnership has continued with the embedding of the
process through local initiatives and the implementation of national polic=
ies. Under
Towards 2016 Social Partnership Agreement increases under Benchmarking hav=
e to
be verified against agreed commitments and flexibility measures. The
Performance Verifi
·
Attendance Management &
Welfare Policy
·
Alcohol and Drugs Policy
·
Employee Assistance Programm=
e
·
PMDS
·
Health Promotion and Health =
&
Safety Awareness during Safety week Oct 2007
·
Retired Staff Function
·
Ecumenical Service
·
Continued promotion of Retur=
n to
learning initiative.
·
Equality
·
Staff Initiative Scheme
·
Extri
·
Staff Induction Programme
· Family Friendly Initiatives<= o:p>
·
Health & Safety issues
·
Social Inclusion issues
·
Equal initiative for the emp=
loyment
of members of the Traveller community.
·
Continuing Professional
Development ( CPD)
·
Library books projects.
Performance Management
Development
The principle of PMDS is to develop greater inclusion in the proces=
s of
business planning and develop personal development plans in respect of all
staff .It is the means of relating the Corporate Plan to Business Plans and
thereby assists in the delivery of the Councils services. The roll out of =
the
process was completed for all service areas in 2007 and will continue to b=
e a
feature of our work practices for the future.
The process will move Carlow local authorities to an open learning =
style
organisation with an increased sense of involvement by all staff and enhan=
ced
service delivery for all our stakeholders
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts ,1997-2003 gives three legal
rights to those seeking access to information held by public bodies covere=
d by
the Act:
· &n=
bsp;
The right of access to offic=
ial
records created after 21st April, 1998 which are held by Govern=
ment
Departments or other public bodies subject to the Act.
· &n=
bsp;
The right to have personal
details on official records corrected or updated when such information is
incomplete, incorrect or misleading and
· &n=
bsp;
The right to be given reason=
s for
decisions taken by public bodies that affect the requester.
A request for information under the Freedom of Information Act must=
be
made, in writing, accompanied by the appropriate fee (i.e €15 or
€10 in case of a person covered by a medical card) and should indi
&=
nbsp;
|
Number of Applications brought forward from 2006 |
2 |
|
Number of application requests received in 2007 |
6 |
|
Number of requests granted |
8 |
|
Live Cases at 31st December, 2007 |
0 |
|
Number of Internal Reviews Received |
1 |
|
Number of Appeals to Information Commissioner |
1 |
|
Sources of Requests |
Journalists: 0 Business: 1 =
Staff: 1 Clients: 0=
Others: 4 |
Ombudsman
The office of the Ombudsman was established to examine complaints f=
rom
members of the public who feel that they have been unfairly treated in the=
ir
dealings with bodies such as Government Departments, Local Authorities and
Health Boards
=
; &=
nbsp; &nb=
sp; =
;
2006 =
; &=
nbsp;
2007
Complaints received =
; &=
nbsp;
6 &nb=
sp; =
; &=
nbsp;
4
Complaints responded to =
;
6 =
; &=
nbsp;
4
Subject of complaints
Housing,(1) Water/Sewerage(1) Planning (2)
Twinning
Carlow County is twinned with Davenport ,IOWA USA, and Banbridge Co Down
C=
ONTROL OF
DOGS
U=
nder the
control of Dogs Act ,1986 and 1992 all dogs and Guard Dog Kennels must be
licensed, except those used wholly for official duties by the Gardai, Defe=
nce
Forces or the Custom and Excise Service. Section 2 of the Act makes =
it an
offence for a person to keep a dog unless he/she holds a licence for that =
dog
or a general licence covering any number of dogs at a specified premises.
Carlow County Council and Kilkenny County Council operate a joint Dog Ward=
en
Service with two dog wardens at Paulstown.
&=
nbsp;
=
No of Licences
issued: 2,628 (individual) 9
(general)
= No of Dogs impounded: 411 &nbs= p; <= o:p>
=
No of fines
issued: &=
nbsp;
117 &nbs=
p;
&=
nbsp;
=
DISABILITY
=
The Disability Act 2005
places a range of obligations on Local Authorities
·
To promote universal a=
ccess
to public places, buildings and services owned and operated by local
authorities
·
To promote access as far as
practicable, to heritage buildings and sites.
·
To promote access to informa=
tion
on local authority services in accessible formats (WEBSITES) =
·
To promote mobility access of
persons with disabilities to local facilities and amenities.(Playgro=
unds,
Parks and Polling Stations)
The Sectoral Plan for Local Authorities was approved by the Oireach=
tas
on 18th October 2006. The Sectoral Plan aims to promote a=
nd
encourage equal opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in=
the
economic, social and cultural life of the community and outlines the steps=
to
be taken in relation to the improved provision of services to persons with
disabilities by local authorities.