CARLOW TOWN COUNCIL

 

Carlow town is the largest town in County Carlow and is the main administrative, commercial, industrial, shopping and services centre of the county.  Carlow Town Council, in partnership with the community and the statutory and voluntary bodies, strives to achieve a cohesive development of the town of Carlow and the provision of modern services to provide a quality environment to those who live, work and visit the town of Carlow. 

ELECTED MEMBERS:

 

Town Clerk  Joe Watters

Town Engineer                     Simon Walton
Twinning                              Tempe, USA.
Dole, France.
Northwich, England.

ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGNS:

• National Spring Clean.

• Carlow Town Litter Action League.

• National Floral Pride Competition.

• Local Pride of Place Competition.

• Litter Prevention and Control Campaigns.

• Litter Management: One hundred and thirty four (134) on-the-spot fines were issued in 2006 – one Litter Enforcement Officer is employed by Carlow Town Council.

TIDY TOWNS ASSOCIATION:

In the 2006 National Tidy Towns Competition Carlow town attained Silver  Medal status for the first time.  Carlow town’s results have improved each year for the past number of years; this year the marks were increased from 257 to 271.  The results are a credit to the many people in our communities who give tirelessly of their time promoting a cleaner and tidier environment.  This result has been achieved through the work of Tidy Towns in partnership with Carlow Town Council, Carlow Amenity Trust, the Delta Force, the Business Community, Residents Associations, Community Groups and Schools. 

NATIONAL TREE WEEK:

Carlow Town Council is currently developing a tree-planting programme for a variety of native tree species within the town and its environs.  The Town Council encourages residents associations and community groups to plant trees within their areas.  As part of the 2006 National Tree Week, Carlow Town Council, in conjunction with the Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte, provided saplings and mature trees to a number of residents associations, community groups and schools.

IRISH BUSINESS AGAINST LITTER LEAGUE:

In 2006, there were fifty-three (53) participants in the IBAL League and Carlow Town again achieved Litter Free Status”.   In the 2006 Litter League, the Monitoring Committee paid particular attention to school grounds, railway stations and third-level colleges and it is worth noting that these sites in Carlow performed particularly well.  

AMENITY GRANT SCHEME:

A sum of €20,000 was provided in the 2006 Budget for Amenity Grants for residents associations.  Notice of the grant scheme was advertised in the local press and fifty one (51) grants were allocated under the 2006 scheme.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

The Community Development Grants Scheme provides assistance to groups and organisations who enhance Carlow’s image,  provide diverse facilities in Carlow and many of whom are ambassadors for Carlow on a national and international stage.  Carlow Town Council provided €25,000 in the 2006 Budget for the Grants in Aid Scheme.   Notice of the grant scheme was advertised in the local press.
New Oak Boys F.C Pavilion

HOUSING – ACTIVITES IN 2006:

1995 Tenant Purchase Scheme:  Sixteen (16) dwellings were purchased under scheme this year.

Self-Help Scheme – 2006:  Eleven (11) applications were approved under the Self-Help Scheme 2006 enabling tenants to carry out home improvements on a 50:50 basis with the Local Authority.

Retrofitting of Central Heating:  In 2006 fifty-one (51) dwellings were provided with central heating at a cost of €287,0000 - €57,000 from the Council’s revenue account and €230,000 from the Department opf the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 

In conjunction with these works, fifty (50) dwellings had attics insulated and forty one (41) were fitted with smoke alarms.

Windows and Doors:  The budget for these works for 2006 was €150,000 which was funded from internal capital receipts.  Thirty three (33) dwellings were fitted in 2006.

Housing Allocation:  Fifty eight (58)dwellings were allocated to the 31st December 2006 of which twenty two (22) were casual vacancies.

HOUSING - CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 

• Six (6) house purchases were completed.  Town Council is currently assessing a number of other properties in this regard.

2.         Infill housing at locations around Carlow town.

3.         Fruithill Scheme – 144 Houses including Creche and Community Centre.

• - 68 Local Authority Houses
• - (53 Carlow Town Council + 15 Laois County Council)

• - 28 Voluntary Houses – Cluid

• - 48 Co-Operative Houses.

PLANNING:

• 160 planning applications were received in 2006. 

• 105 planning applications were granted in 2006.