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EchoLive.ie, 28 Dec
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan shares her
message of joy and community as the year draws to a close, and looks
ahead to 2024
Cork County Chief: We have an ambitious investment blueprint for the
county
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn, Valerie O’Sullivan
Chief Executive, Cork County Council, Nick Perrin AECOM Regional
Director and Eoin O’Catháin, ROD Director, at an announcement on the
West Cork Greenways Project. Picture: Gerard McCarthy 087 8537228
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AS we stand on the threshold of 2024, my team and I look forward to
continuing delivery of so many services to the people of County Cork.
The adoption of the Council’s budget of €458.3 million enables this and
indicates the scale of the business we operate right across the county.
Key services critical to the wellbeing of all our communities received
substantial increases, with housing and roads increasing by €18.4
million and €22.1 million, respectively.
We will also continue to focus on placemaking within our towns and
villages, ensuring they are attractive places to live, work, visit and
do business. This financial commitment underscores the Council’s
dedication to providing essential services to our residents.
I am always struck by the dedication of our staff to the county they
serve, and it is fitting to acknowledge this as they finish another
year of great work. Looking ahead, Cork County Council has set an
ambitious three-year capital investment programme of €1.5 billion,
earmarked for infrastructure projects between 2024 and 2026.
The overall emphasis of this expenditure relates to housing provision,
roads, environment, recreation and amenity and enhancing our towns and
villages.
Our role as an enabler of economic development and climate adaptation
remains a priority with a continued focus in these areas, all the while
ensuring services are delivered as close to our citizens as possible.
Valerie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie
O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork County Council
In the wake of recent destructive storms that swept across the county,
with East Cork particularly affected, the imperative to intensify our
efforts in combating climate change has never been clearer. Ireland’s
commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and a 51% reduction
by 2030 underscores the urgency of our collective actions. We will
continue to act as agents for the OPW (Office of Public Works) in the
delivery of long-awaited flood relief schemes. We recognise that for
the people and places affected by flooding, these cannot come soon
enough, and we share that view. Despite the many complex elements
required prior to construction of any flood relief scheme; the hidden
work that precedes delivery, flood relief is a top priority.
Cork County Council is steadfast in its dedication to addressing the
challenges posed by climate change and will use the €1.2 million
allocation from the Department of Environment, Climate and
Communications to support the implementation of the Community Climate
Action Programme, focusing on both immediate climate action initiatives
and long-term educational and capacity building measures.
Looking ahead, the county council is finalising the draft Climate
Action Plan, scheduled for adoption in January, 2024. This
comprehensive plan will serve as a roadmap for enhancing climate
resilience, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions across all Council services and infrastructure.
The journey to a sustainable and resilient future has begun but
requires acceleration from the Council to lead the way in tackling
climate change and continuing to foster environmentally conscious
communities.
Our Housing Delivery Action Plan was launched in 2023, an ambition plan
which sets out to deliver 3,198 social housing units and 682 affordable
homes. The innovative plan ensures a diverse range of housing options
to meet the evolving needs of our citizens. Projects are already well
underway in several locations throughout the county. This Plan is not
only paving the way for increased housing availability but also
provides for continuous review to adapt to changing needs.
Holding the distinction of possessing the largest road network in the
country, the development and renewal of roads is paramount. Investment
in cycling and walking infrastructure remains a key focus, aligning
with the recently signed €16 million contract for the M28 motorway
connecting Rochestown with Ringaskiddy. This development, in line with
government’s Project Ireland 2040 vision, not only promises enhanced
safety but will also bring substantial economic benefits to the area.
The Council’s sustainable travel investment programme, funded by the
NTA (National Transport Authority), binds together the key strands of
development, transportation, climate action and placemaking. This
programme provides high-quality and safe connectivity for pedestrians
and cyclists between the towns within the harbour area while also
providing a pedestrian and cycle network within these towns. Multiple
interventions have also been delivered throughout the many towns and
villages across the County. In 2023 alone €24.4m was invested in active
travel infrastructure across the county under this programme.
During the past year, the Council completed the 6.5km section of fully
segregated pedestrian and cycle route from Dunkettle to The Elm Tree.
This includes the public parks and parking locations along the route
for users. In addition, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure has been
delivered in Carrigaline and Midleton. And of course, the Midleton to
Youghal greenway will be taking another step closer to completion in
2024.
Our increased operational expenditure underscores our dedication to
delivering essential services and fostering vibrant communities
throughout County Cork.
Skibbereen town centre, as the initial Town Centres First pathfinder,
will demonstrate how we can create a dynamic and appealing town for
residents and visitors alike through collaboration. Skibbereen is the
first of many town centre regeneration projects advancing across the
county.
We will welcome a new Council to the Chamber following the local
elections in mid-2024. We have been lucky to work with a progressive
group of Elected Members for the past five years, effectively serving
as our Board of Directors, and supportive of my teams as they brought
forward a range of projects for the benefit of the people of County
Cork. I would encourage the people of Cork County to make sure they
check the register and ensure their details are correct.
2024 marks a significant milestone for Cork County Council, as it will
exist for 125 years; a century and a quarter of dedicated service to
the citizens and communities of County Cork. As we approach this
historic anniversary, we reflect on our past achievements and look
forward to continuing our mission of fostering a thriving and inclusive
environment for all. There are exciting opportunities ahead, and we
look forward to positioning Cork to take full advantage of them.
I am privileged, and very lucky to lead an exceptional team of people
whose commitment and hard work ensure we achieve so much.
We deliver an incredibly vast range of services right to the heart of
our communities, evidenced in Cork County Council awarded the Pride of
Place award for ‘Council Community Engagement.’ From frontline services
to administration and management, every staff member plays a vital role
in delivering our shared goals. It is their diligence, public service
mindset and desire to get things done that ensures the efficient
performance of our functions and the delivery of quality services, and
I am grateful to them every single day. There is a unique collegiality
and shared purpose in Cork County Council because of its people and
their pride in the fact that their job is to make County Cork a better
place for everyone. Many of them work unsocial hours, responding to
severe weather events, repairing roads, monitoring conditions, ensuring
systems are working and preventing or solving problems so the rest of
us can go about our daily lives safely. They are rarely acknowledged,
and their work may not be visible, but without them we would surely
feel the impact.
As we look forward to 2024 and beyond, I have more confidence than ever
in our organisation, and in the communities we serve – residential,
business, commercial, sporting, voluntary, artistic and industrial and
all of the very active groups in between, who are our true partners in
making County Cork the thriving place it is and will continue to be.
These partnerships will, I have no doubt, help us to overcome
challenges and build a strong future for the next generation. I am very
grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chief Executive of Cork County
Council and look forward to working with you all to ensure the
continued prosperity of County Cork.
I wish you and yours all the peace of joy of Christmas, and a very
happy New Year.
Read More
Mayor of Cork County's Christmas message