Presentation to PPN 23rd May, 2018 The role of Kilkenny County Council

31 City & County Councils in Ireland Local authorities are responsible for the provision of an extensive range of public services in your area. Local authorities promote the interests of your local community, including the social, economic, environmental, recreational, cultural, community or general development of your area.

Responsibilities of local authorities Housing Planning Roads/Traffic Motor tax Economic and Community Development Tourism Enterprise Support Environmental Protection Energy Fire services, Civil Defence Recreation facilities, Public parks/Amenities Community & Culture Older People & Kilkenny Age Friendly, Sport & Children & Young People Libraries/Heritage/Arts/Conservation Register of Electors Financial Management Water supply transferred to Irish Water- service level agreement

Powers of local authorities The primary legislation applying to local authorities is the Local Government Act 2001. Article 28A of the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hEireann) recognises the role of local government in providing democratic representation of local communities. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 amended the 2001 Act. With effect from June 2014, the town and borough councils were replaced by a comprehensive system of municipal districts and a number of local authorities were merged.

Membership of Local Authorities 949 Councillors in the Country Councillors are directly elected in local elections every 5 years Kilkenny has 24 members Kilkenny has 4 Municipal Districts Every Local Authority elects a Cathaoirleach (or Chairman/Mayor each year. Councillors are automatically members of their relevant Municipal District Councillors are also nominated to the following bodies: Local Authority committees Strategic Policy Committees Joint Policing committee Regional Assemblies Education Training Board Health Forum Other Committees

Council Meetings Elected members are required to attend meetings such as: Annual meeting (held in May/June each year) Ordinary meetings ( held at monthly, except August) Budget meetings (usually towards the end of the year) Special meeting (held occasionally).

Reserved functions Functions are carried out by the members of the authority acting as a body at Council meetings. Pass resolutions eg: adopt development plan, adopt budget, approve loans/overdraft facility, annual road works programme, taking in charge of estates, declaring roads public, paying grants to communities, deciding on the level of car parking charges, Protected structures, rates incentive scheme, Pass Bye-Laws eg: Traffic, Alcohol, Burial grounds, stands for taxis, casual trading, Establish sub committees

Chief Executive of the Council formerly called a County Manager Executive Functions are carried out by the Chief Executive Chief Executive’s functions can also be delegated to other staff 520 staff employed by Kilkenny County Council. Chief Executive and staff implement the policies adopted by the members. Ensures the efficient and effective operation of the local authority Carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of the authority. Examples of Executive functions: Appointment of staff and other staff issues Allocation of houses Grant/refuse planning permission Accept tenders & sign contracts Grant housing loans, various licences Any function which is not a reserved function is an executive function of the Council.

Local community involvement Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Strategic Policy Committees Joint Policing Committee Local festivals and events; Village renewal schemes; Clar Schemes CIR & LIS - Roads Energy efficiency projects Community Alerts/CCTV

How is the Council funded? Revenue Budget- Day to day Operations - €70m Capital Budget- new Infrastructure , housing, roads, Fire station, Library -€260M for 3 years (rolling programme) Funding: Grants (revenue & capital) Rates Rents Housing Loans Parking Charges Development Charges (capital) Loans (capital) Other income

How do we engage with the public ? Consultations on Plans and projects Map Alerts – receive messages & notifications Fix your street – report road/street repairs SSE Airtricity - report faulty public lights Consult.ie – Development/Local area plans etc Website – many sites for different service areas Twitter/facebook etc Publications of reports/Plans.

Publications Corporate plan (5 years) Annual Reports Service Delivery Plans Annual Budget Annual Financial Statement Development Plans Local Area plans Cultural strategy Litter Plans Road safety Plan Monthly CE report Other Plans adopted by the Council

THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS?