Cathaoirleach's Introduction
I am pleased to introduce Sligo County Council’s Annual Report for 2002. It was a busy and challenging year for this Authority, and it was encouraging to see so many important initiatives advanced or brought to fruition.
- Cllr. Padraig Branley, Cathaoirleach
2002 saw the publication of the Sligo & Environs Draft Development Plan 2004-2010 - arguably the most important publication produced by the Sligo Planning Authorities in recent years. The Plan contains a wide range of objectives and proposals designed to establish Sligo as the major city in the Northwest. The Plan also identifies projected commercial and residential demands over the period of the Plan and sets out how these can be met. I feel great credit is due to the staff in Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council who prepared this plan, and co-ordinated the public consultation process to facilitate active community participation.
The slowdown in the Irish economy had evident repercussions for all Local Authorities, but in 2002 many important infrastructural projects were completed. The Housing Construction Programme continued with the provision of 44 houses in Riverstown, Ballymote, Ballisodare and Collooney. The Inner Relief Road received funding of €12.7million from the National Roads Authority in 2002, and almost e2million was spent on Specific Improvement Grants, which funded road improvements on the Rosses Point Road, Strandhill Road and Enniscrone.
As part of our ‘Open Local Government Initiative’, we introduced a programme of ‘Schools Visits’ to County Hall. The students received a presentation on our various services and functions, and also attended the monthly meeting of the Council. In 2002 we hosted schools from Sligo City and Ballymote, and this initiative will continue throughout 2003. This is a proving a very worthwhile exercise, as it provides a means of promoting the important role the Local Authority plays in our community.
Councillor Padraig Branley
