*Pictured marking the official launch of the ‘Elected Members of Killaloe Municipal District – Strategy & Work Plan’ are the Elected Members and staff of Killaloe MD. Back row (l-r): Deirdre Sampson, Clerical Officer; Declan Flanagan, Executive Engineer; Cllr Tony O’Brien, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council; Cllr Pat Hayes; Brian McCarthy, Senior Planner and Killaloe MD Coordinator; Derek Troy, Senior Executive Engineer; Cllr Joe Cooney; Pauline Costello, Staff Officer; and Michelle Fitzgerald, Executive Technician.
Front row (l-r): Kitty Moroney, Clerical Officer; Cllr Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Killaloe MD; Cllr Pat Burke, Leas Cathaoirleach, Killaloe MD; and Anne Haugh, Director of Services, Social Development and Killaloe MD.
A NEW STRATEGY and workplan has been agreed by elected members of the Killaloe Municipal District.
Fifteen priority projects for the Killaloe MD have been set out in the Elected Members of Killaloe Municipal District – Strategy & Work Plan’. They are underpinned by one or more of four key strategic themes – enhancing East Clare as a place to live, work and recreate; preserving the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change, creation of an environment in East Clare that supports sustainability and strengthening local democracy and enhancing delivery of services at a local level.
Sustainable housing, Inis Cealtra, Greenway and Blueway projects, promoting and establishing digital hubs with a focus on Scariff and Killaloe, climate action projects, Two Mile Gate, Scariff Town project, Town and Village renewal schemes, further education and skills, implementing the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Strategy, the R352 Ennis to Scariff, enhancing service delivery to communities in the MD, capacity building communities, enhancing sustainable connectivity to East Clare from the Mid-West region and wastewater infrastructure deficits are listed as the fifteen priority projects.
Adapted at a sitting of the Killaloe MD, the strategy is one of the first of its kind completed by elected councillors in the country.
Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) explained, “While not a statutory plan, it was felt by all the Elected Members that a strategic approach is required to achieving our economic, social, cultural and environmental objectives for the MD area. Our vision is to maximise the opportunities for social, economic and tourism-related development in all areas of Killaloe MD, creating a high quality of life and sustainable environment”.
Director of Services for Killaloe MD, Anne Haugh stated, “It is timely to prepare strategic objectives for Killaloe MD to ensure they are consistent with the most recent national and county policies, while highlighting the local needs and initiatives required to strengthen and grow local communities. The strategy has been prepared in the context of the current external and internal operating environment while ensuring flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances as they arise”.
Brian McCarthy, senior planner and Killaloe MD coordinator said the strategy sets out “a shared vision” between elected members and staff.
