County Manager's Foreword

The recent period of sustained economic growth is against a backdrop of a notable population increase in County Sligo - 4.6% since 2002.  The population of Electoral Divisions within 10 miles of Sligo has increased by 8.91% (1,810) with growth occurring principally in satellite villages (Strandhill, Collooney, Grange, Carney). The result is that over 40,000 people (circa 66% of the County’s population) live in Sligo City or within 10 miles of it.

 
- County Manager Hubert Kearns

This continues to provide us with the challenge of meeting the infrastructural and service requirements of a growing population in the environs of Sligo while continuing to maximise the potential of the rest of the county. We have invested significantly in the necessary infrastructure including investment in roads, drainage projects, water treatment plants, social and affordable housing initiatives. As a local authority we must recognise the potential of Sligo and deliver plans and proposals that will ensure that the county has the necessary mix of infrastructure and services which delivers to a growing population. Officials with the Council continue to assess need and work in consultation with communities to deliver a quality service to our customers. 

A pivotal area of our work is the development of networks and partnerships with other agencies and local authorities to ensure that opportunities to improve the competitiveness of the county are successfully delivered. In addition we work closely with the community sector. It must be highlighted that the level of commitment and voluntary time put into community initiatives such as Pride of Place and Tidy Towns continues to be encouraging. Too often, the tremendous time and effort that people put into community activities on a purely voluntary basis is overlooked. We continue to celebrate and support this voluntary effort. 2006 saw the further enhancement of the Volunteer Bureau Service and increasing levels of interest shown by community groups to avail of this support. 

The people of County Sligo are well served by the elected Members and staff of Sligo County Council and we look forward to progressing our busy programme of work in 2007. 

Hubert Kearns
Sligo County Manager