Cork City Council named Local Authority of the Year 2021
Cork City Council has been named Local Authority of the Year after it won three individual accolades at the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2021.
The awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, highlight the positive impact of local government across Ireland. In total, this year saw 90 projects from 20 local authorities shortlisted as finalists in 16 categories.
Cork City Council was the winner of three awards: Health and Wellbeing, Enhancing the Urban Environment, and Heritage and Built Environment.
The council’s winning projects included initiatives that allowed children to participate in sports during Covid-19 restrictions, transformed the city centre of Cork into a people-first amenity without cars, and provided nine sheltered housing apartments through the renovation of two derelict townhouses and the infill of a vacant site.
Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot said:
“The range of work that was undertaken by Cork City Council and the impact it has achieved speaks to the central role of local authorities in developing our communities and providing for the needs of its citizens. From the early days of the pandemic, it saw opportunity in creating a more people-focused city centre and undoubtedly inspired other local authorities and communities across Ireland. That is an achievement of which all staff should be proud.”
“As we look back on this challenging period, we can say that we have seen the very best of local authorities. Their commitment has delivered initiatives that improved both their communities and the lives of their inhabitants. For so many to have lived up to the standard of excellence is a very positive sign as we look to recovery and the long-term resilience of our towns and cities.”
Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke TD said:
“Our local authorities have always served Ireland’s towns and cities with diligence and professionalism but the Covid-19 pandemic has tested them like nothing before. The range of work and scale of impact that I have witnessed speaks to their outstanding commitment towards the development of our communities and wellbeing of our citizens. They have delivered when they were needed most and I wish to thank them for their dedication.
“I must also congratulate Cork City Council on being named Local Authority of the Year. These awards have demonstrated the high level of service provided by our local authorities and to claim this title reflects the extensive impact it has made in very difficult circumstances. This achievement is a credit to the staff who proudly serve Cork city each day by enacting initiatives that make a positive difference in the lives of its citizens.”
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The full list of winners of the Excellence in Local Government Awards is below.
For more information, please contact Jonathan Baxter communications and media executive at Chambers Ireland on 086 608 1605 or jonathan.baxter@chambers.ie.
Winners:
Local Authority of the Year 2021 –Cork City Council
Supporting Sustainable Communities (Sponsored by EirGrid) – Laois County Council – Abbeyleix Community Climate Action Project
Best Practice in Community Engagement (Sponsored by ESB Network) – South Dublin County Council – South Dublin County Council Development Plan (CDP) Public Consultation
Health and Wellbeing (Sponsored by Healthy Ireland) – Cork City Council – Sports on the Green
Supporting Tourism (Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland) – Monaghan County Council – The Patrick Kavanagh Centre and the branded Kavanagh Trail
Promoting Economic Development (Sponsored by EirGrid) – Donegal County Council – #BuyDonegal
Local Authority Innovation (Sponsored by TEKenable) – Limerick City and County Council – ‘Council Connect’ Staff app
Sustainable Environment (Sponsored by European Recycling Platform Ireland) – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – dlr’s Coastal Mobility Route
Best Library Service – Meath County Council – Laptops for Loan
Sustaining the Arts (Sponsored by Zurich Ireland) – Kildare County Council – Kildare Covid Notebook project
Age Friendly Initiative (Sponsored by Waterford Crystal) – South Dublin County Council – Policy for Rightsizing and Allocation of Age Friendly Accommodation
Festival of the Year (Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland) – Monaghan County Council – Cavan Monaghan Online Science Festival 2020
Initiative through the Municipal Districts (Sponsored by LGIU Ireland) – Clare County Council – Restructuring of Municipal Districts to improve community and economic outcomes
Enhancing the Urban Environment (Sponsored by Ervia) – Cork City Council – Reopening a More Resilient Cork City Centre
Heritage and Built Environment (Sponsored by AIB Ireland) – Cork City Council – Infill Housing Conservation Project, 5-6 Shandon Street & JP Curran Street
Disability Services Provision (Sponsored by EirGrid) – Monaghan County Council – My Right to Vote – General Election voter education
Commemorations & Centenaries (Sponsored by An Post) – Cavan County Council – Bringing History to Life Despite the Odds
About Chambers Ireland
Chambers Ireland is the voice of business throughout Ireland, with 40 member chambers across every major city, town and region of the island. Aligning our strategic priorities with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, our aim is to make places better to live, work and do business.
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