10 August 2017
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork City Council is delighted to be shortlisted in four categories in the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2017.
· Hollyhill Library was shortlisted in the Disability Services Provision section for its services for families with children with autism or sensory issues. It offers families with a child with autism a private library visit before the library opens to the public: no lights, no vacuum cleaner, from 9.30am – 10am, Tuesdays to Saturdays. Visits must be booked in advance.
· Cork City Council’s Housing Directorate was shortlisted in the Local Authority Innovation category for its Competitive Dialogue Housing Delivery Process. This has been key to Cork City Council’s unlocking of viable housing development opportunities. The wider use of the Cork City Council model by other local authorities could speed up social housing provision across the state.
· Cork City Council’s Environment and Recreation Directorate was also shortlisted for the ‘Greening of Glow’, or their use of green bins as part of the city’s GLOW, Cork Christmas Celebration. Recycling, composting and general waste bins were provided around the city centre venue with Green Elves on hand to give advice on where best to place waste.
· Cork City Council’s Tourism, Events and Arts Marketing Office (TEAM) was shortlisted for its 2016 Commemoration Programme which was devised after widespread consultation with citizens. An Easter Monday Commemorative Ceremony took place to mark the 100th anniversary of the Rising. Cork City Council also oversaw a year round 1916 programme at St Peter’s Church on North Main Street and a ‘1916 Rising and its connection to Cork City’ exhibition at Cork Public Museum in Fitzgeralds Park. The play, ‘Sacrifice at Easter’ by renowned writer, Pat McCabe was also staged at Elizabeth Fort in June.
Cork City Council Chief Executive, Ann Doherty congratulated her team and said Cork City Council’s short-listing “is testament to the innovation, creativity and hard work of Cork City Council staff”.
The overall winners will be announced at the 14th annual awards ceremony on November 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Co Dublin. The awards will be presented for excellence in 16 categories and one local authority will be awarded the overall award and named Local Authority of the Year 2017.
The shortlist was announced by Chambers Ireland and welcomed by Cork Chamber of Commerce. Twenty three local authorities were listed over 16 categories ranging from Active Communities to Local Authority Innovation. The Excellence in Local Government Awards are held in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and sponsored by Vodafone.
