Local Government Awards Shortlist Announced

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Local Government Awards Shortlist announced

Chambers Ireland today (2 September) revealed the shortlist for the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2022.

In its 19^th year, the Awards feature a total of 23 Local Authorities shortlisted over 15 categories, including a new addition, ‘Climate Change’, which showcases Local Authorities’ efforts to take action in this important area. Communications and Diversity & Inclusion are also new categories for 2022.

The Awards are held annually in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

While offering his heartfelt congratulations, Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke TD commented, “every year I am astounded by the calibre of applications”. The officials and councillors who serve their communities have an indisputably positive effect of the lives of citizens, and they should be immensely proud of their achievements”.

“For the last two years, I spoke of how local authorities delivered on an unprecedented global event, demonstrating such flexibility and adaptability to deliver on community calls and local supports for individuals suffering isolation and loneliness through the covid pandemic”, adding “again this year, local authorities have demonstrated agility and have been fundamental in welcoming and accommodating our Ukrainian citizens fleeing their country. In rising to the occasion our local authorities have only further proven their dedication to the communities they serve”.

Minister Burke congratulated all the local authorities who submitted applications. “You are commended for the excellent work you do. This annual event is an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge all the hard work carried out throughout the year” he concluded.

Commenting on the announcement of the shortlist, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland said,

“We’re pleased to reveal the Excellence in Local Government Awards shortlist today, which features 80 projects that represent the essence of the hard work and ambitious planning that takes place daily at local level.

The Awards are the ideal platform to showcase the inventiveness and innovation that Local Authorities are consistently delivering, which so often goes unnoticed.

We’re also delighted to reveal the shortlist for the new additions to this year’s Awards. The range of projects we’ve received for these new categories highlight the ingenuity amongst Local Authorities in developing new civic solutions to help Ireland become a better place to live and do business.

I would like to congratulate each of the shortlisted Local Authorities and acknowledge the excellent work being undertaken at Local Government level nationwide. The very best of luck to all shortlisted today.”

The Excellence in Local Government Award winners will be announced at the 19^th annual ceremony on 24^th of November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Santry. Awards will be presented for excellence in 15 different categories and one Local Authority will be awarded the overall award and named Local Authority of the Year 2022.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact James Kiernan, Chambers Ireland 087 671 8468 or email james.kiernan@chambers.ie

Notes to Editor

Complete Shortlist for ELG Awards 2022:

Age Friendly Initiative

Clare County Council – The accreditation of Ennis as an Age-Friendly town
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – dlr Digital Inclusion Acorn Project
Fingal County Council – Fingal Age Friendly Guide
Waterford City and County Council – “The People we Grow Up to Be,” an Intergenerational Music Project
Wexford County Council – Wexford Telehealth Project

Climate Change

Clare County Council – Renewal of site protection & conservation infrastructure at Fanore Beach
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – Dublin Climate Action Week 2021
Kerry County Council – Supplygov.ie – Dynamic Purchasing System for Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Works
Mayo County Council – Mayo Decarbonising Communities Network
South Dublin County Council – Tallaght District-heating Network.
Wicklow County Council – Wicklow County Council Solar Car Park

Communications

Donegal County Council – Trail Communications
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – Embedding a culture of plain English communications in a Housing Department
Fingal County Council – Firefighting goats in Howth
Kildare County Council – Understanding Kildare’s County Development Plan
Limerick City & County Council – Double Your Summer

Diversity & Inclusion

Cork City Council – Trailblazing Women with Cork City Council’s Women’s Caucus
Dublin City Council – Academy of the Near Future
Leitrim County Council – Sense-Ability
Longford County Council – Urban Horse Project
Monaghan County Council – Sensory Stories
South Dublin County Council – Women in Local Government
Waterford City and County Council – Dyslexia Support Services Waterford Libraries

Enhancing the Urban Environment

Clare County Council – Ennis Public Realm Enhancement – Parnell Street, Laneways & Bow-ways
Cork City Council – Community Gardens in Public Parks
Limerick City & County Council – Castletroy Urban Greenway
Meath County Council – Navan 2050 Vision

Festival of the Year

Clare County Council – Ennis Mela
Cork City Council – Cork Carnival of Science
Monaghan County Council – Clones Film Festival
Waterford City and County Council – Waterford Winter Firedance Solstice 2021
Wexford County Council – Kennedy Summer School

Health & Wellbeing

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – ‘Stirring Memories – Stories of Yesterday’ – collaborative wellbeing project & exhibition
Longford County Council – LIFT Programme
Mayo County Council – Activator Walking with Poles / Fitstick Trail Project
South Dublin County Council – Cycle South Dublin
Waterford City and County Council – Ireland’s First Outdoor Learn to Cycle Track opens in Dungarvan
Wicklow County Council – Healthy Blessington

Heritage & the Built Environment

Donegal County Council – Single large-scale heritage-led urban regeneration project in Ramelton, County Donegal
Galway County Council – Galway Community Archaeology Project
Monaghan County Council – Rossmore Forest Park – Interpretation & Conservation Management Project
Waterford City and County Council – Waterford Treasures, 5 Museums in the Viking Triangle
Wexford County Council – The regeneration of Goat Hill
Wicklow County Council – Celebrating Wicklow’s Wonder Women

Initiative through Municipal Districts

Carlow County Council – Ru:Uban – Urbact
Clare County Council – Shannon In Bloom
Longford County Council – Longford Text Alert
Wicklow County Council – Blessington Municipal District- Blessington Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration Project

Local Authority Innovation

Dublin City Council – Dublin City Council supporting telecoms and future connectivity
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – dlr Quiz Nights
Fingal County Council – Fingalmaker and maker space
Galway County Council – Severe Weather Event Management System
Leitrim County Council – BFireSafeatSchool project
South Dublin County Council – Think Big Space in partnership with AWS
Wexford County Council – Risk Remediation Programme
Wicklow County Council – Social Housing Design & Build – 34 Houses Baltinglass, Co Wicklow

Promoting Economic Development

Clare County Council – Tech Disrupt 4.0
Dublin City Council – ENFUSE
Fingal County Council – Implementation of Fingal Skills Strategy
Limerick City & County Council – Engine Hubs Network
Sligo County Council – Development of An Chroi Digital Hub
South Dublin County Council – Grange Castle Business Park

Supporting Sustainable Communities

Cork City Council – Community Response Area Teams
Limerick City & County Council – New Build Incremental Purchase Scheme
Monaghan County Council – Capacity Building through Community Planning
South Dublin County Council – Clondalkin Community Bicycle Hub
Longford County Council – New Community Library in Edgeworthstown

Supporting Tourism

Carlow County Council – Taste in Carlow
Limerick City & County Council – The Limerick Greenway
Louth County Council – Sea Louth
Mayo County Council – Clew Bay Bike Trail
Wicklow County Council – Wicklow Passport

Sustainable Environment

Cork City Council – Cork City Council Air Quality Strategy
Fingal County Council – Wildfire Management Strategy Howth Head
South Dublin County Council – Sustainable Drainage Guidance Project

Sustaining the Arts

Clare County Council – HOUSE! An open-air aerial spectacle
Fingal County Council – Seanchaí Micro Forest
Kerry County Council – Advance Youth Arts Programme
Monaghan County Council – Elsewhere the Opera
South Dublin County Council – NOISE Music