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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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).

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS?