CARLOW COUNTY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2006
 
 
 

As will be seen from this report, considerable progress was achieved in 2006 in delivering new infrastructure projects and improved services.

  • Work commenced on the Carlow By Pass N9/N10 and is progressing well.
  • Carlow Inner Relief Road Phase II opened.  This is an important East West link for Carlow Town and provides an alternative means of access and egress for the town centre area.
  • Work commenced on the Eire Og link of the Southern Relief Road.  A new bridge was constructed over the River Burrin.
  • The design of the Tullow Relief Road commenced.

In the area of economic development and promotion:-

  • An Economic Promotions Officer was appointed to promote County Carlow as an attractive location for investment.
  • 12 acres of land was acquired in Tullow for a Business Park. 
  • A marketing and publicity campaign was launched to encourage Carlow workers to register their skills and interest in working in the county
  • Carlow town is the site for a national pilot for Wi-Fi broadband to reduce the costs of installation and promote the use of broadband through the development of innovative hardware.  There is significant national interest in this project.

Carlow County Development Board received funding to establish two key projects which had been prioritised for action in the County Development Board Plan 2006 – 2008.

  • County Carlow Local Sports Partnership
  • Carlow Volunteer Centre

The positive partnership approach that exists in County Carlow between Communities, Tidy Towns, Businesses, Schools and the local authorities led to many successes in 2006.
In the National Tidy Towns competition:-

  • Carlow Town achieved silver medal status for the first time.
  • Leighlinbridge achieved the County Award and gold medal status for the third time and was selected to represent Carlow in the All Ireland Best Kept Town Initiative in 2007.
  • Clonegal achieved Bronze Medal Status and was also awarded the National Bilingual Award.
  • Hacketstown was awarded the Endeavour Award

In the IBAL Litter League, Carlow Town again achieved litter free status.

Carlow County Council also achieved a number of successes in 2006.

  • In the National Co-Operation Pride of Place Awards, Carlow County Council achieved the National Award for best local authority.
  • the County Council’s project on quality customer service was one of eleven projects short listed in a Europe wide competition for local authorities - UDITE performance improvement award.

Carlow County Council achieved a number of successes in the Chamber of Commerce Awards

  • Best Public Service – Tullow Civic Offices
  • Embracing Diversity in the work place

Significant progress was made in recreation and amenity provision:-

  • The Regional Forest Park at Oak Park was opened to the public and has proven to be an extremely popular amenity
  • Ducketts Grove – work commenced
  • Tourism Improvement Works at Mount Leinster and St. Mullins.
  • Funding was received form the Department under Social & Community Facilities Scheme towards the upgrading of community and sporting facilities in Rathvilly.

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 2006.  A major scheme of 144 houses including crèche and community centre was completed at Fruithill, Graiguecullen, Carlow.

We wish to express our appreciation and thanks to the Elected Members, Chairpersons and Members of the Strategic Policy Committees, Area Committees and Staff for their commitment, co-operation and support in the delivery of services which impact 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 this annual report will give a better insight into the broad range of activities which are undertaken by the Carlow local authorities to further economic and social development.

                                               
Michael Abbey,
Cathaoirleach,
Carlow County Council.

                                              
Jim Townsend,
Cathaoirleach,
Carlow Town Council.