County Manager’s Foreword

One of the highlights of 2010 was the visit of Michael Flatley to his native Culfadda, a visit made possible by the close personal friendship between the then Cathaoirleach and the Flatley family. The Culfadda community played an active role in organising the various events, including the official opening of the Garden of Music and Memory, inspired by the unique musical legacy of Culfadda’s most famous son. The garden will be a special meeting place for cultural events and will be a social focal point for the community.

In 2010 we continued our major programme of investment in water and waste water infrastructure; Sligo County Council delivers 38 million litres of water a day to homes, schools, businesses, and farms. Over the last ten years or so, Sligo County Council has spent approximately €100 million on the water supply infrastructure, including waste water treatment and infrastructure, in the Sligo and Environs Area. The most recent project to be delivered under this programme is Kilsellagh, which became operational in May 2010, ensuring that all consumers in the Sligo and Environs area are being supplied with water of the highest quality. The delivery of a quality, reliable water supply has been welcomed by local hotels, restaurants and businesses as well as domestic consumes. The Kilsellagh plant cost in the region of €6 million, and the Council is to be commended for planning and delivering this valuable facility at a time when the financial resources were available.

Another priority of this authority is the delivery of a modern road network which will underpin our endeavour to attract enterprise and investment to Sligo; In 2010, €1.2m was allocated to the planning and design of our major national roads schemes, and the completion of phase 1 of the Western Distributor Road. This Distributor Road will facilitate the development of a strategic Non-National urban link road on the Western side of Sligo City and will improve access to the existing IDA industrial/ business park at Finisklin.

One immediate and significant impact of the economic recession is that Sligo County Council, together with all local authorities, will have to prioritise services based on existing and anticipated resources. This will require changes to many existing practices and procedures and we must be flexible in our approach so that we can get the best out of the limited resources that will be available.

Another priority must be to re-double our efforts in working with work with key local agencies on improving economic conditions to create sustainable job opportunities for this region.

Hubert Kearns
County Manager