THE ELECTED VOICE FOR CITY AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS 
Cllr Mick Cahill’s time at the helm of Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) has seen a progressive vision take hold, linking both local and national politics. The Longford Councillor outlines his presidential priorities for a national organisation that represents the elected members of Ireland’s 31 local authorities. MORE COMMUNITIES SET THEIR SITES ON CONSERVATION!
Since 2016, the Heritage Council has encouraged communities around Ireland to take a more active role in maintaining monuments in their area through the ‘Adopt A Monument’ scheme, which will be reviewed next year to measure how well it is meeting the needs of the community, best conservation practice and the aims of the Council. KILDARE ROLLS OUT SOCIAL HOUSING IN RATHANGAN
Kildare County Council’s latest social housing scheme, under Rebuilding Ireland’s Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, has seen the delivery of 18 new properties to families and individuals in Rathangan who are on the council’s social housing list, with one unit allocated using the Choice-Based Letting Scheme. LATEST PLANS SET TO BLOOM IN GARDEN COUNTY
Wicklow’s County Development Plan for 2021-2027, which incorporates areas such as economic development, settlement strategy, tourism and retail strategy, climate change, green infrastructure, sustainable transport and town planning, was announced at a recent Wicklow County Council Business Briefing for 2020.
CHIEF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH DUBLIN
The development of Tallaght Town Centre, an expanded transportation network, business parks and retail hubs are some of South Dublin County Council’s many strategic initiatives, and Chief Executive Daniel McLoughlin acknowledges the “enormous achievements” over the last 25 years.
ON THE TRAIL OF IRELAND’S GREENWAY ROUTES
‘Council Review’ gives a rundown of some current and upcoming projects (north and south) under the Greenways Development Strategy, in response to a growing appetite by overseas visitors and locals alike to enjoy Ireland’s walking and cycling routes.
CORK’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL RANKS HIGHLY IN EURO LEAGUE
Cork has been hailed the number two small city in Europe for economic potential, according to the ‘FDI European Cities and Regions of Future’ League. Cork City’s Lord Mayor Cllr John Sheehan has described the ranking as an “encouraging endorsement” of the Leeside. EURO INNOVATION IN POLITICS 2020 AWARDS NOW OPEN
Irish nominations to this year’s Innovation in Politics Awards are now being invited. Innovative political projects can be submitted by politicians and/or nominated by citizens until 15 June, with the European awards final taking place in Berlin in December. WEXFORD TO CENTRE ON CURBING CARBON EMISSIONS
Wexford County Council is now in the process of developing a UN Centre for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in Enniscorthy, in collaboration with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). LIMERICK LIFTS IPI’S OVERALL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING
Limerick City and County Council won the overall award for excellence in planning for its ‘Living Georgian City Strategy’ at this year's Irish Planning Institute Planning Awards. FIRST NATIONAL OVERVIEW OF LOCAL CLIMATE ACTIONS
For the first time a new report has outlined the range of new plans which local authorities have undertaken to tackle climate change and to promote climate action within their own communities, including the roll out of training for 28,000 council staff members.
SOUTH EAST SET FOR ENERGY TRANSITION STRATEGY
The 3 Counties Energy Agency (3cea) has rolled out a ten-year Energy Transition Strategy in a bid to produce surplus green energy by 2030, making the counties of Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford more sustainable, cleaner and national leaders in delivering low carbon homes, jobs and enterprise. NO MAJOR CHANGE IN GENDER GAP AT GE2020
Ireland’s General Election 2020 has been heralded as an election of change – change for the parties and change in government. However, it was not an election of change for women, says Ciairín de Buis, CEO of Women for Election.
COUNCILS AND GAA LINE OUT CLIMATE ACTION GOALS
The Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) will represent the local authority sector to co-ordinate the development of a new partnership agreement between the County and City Management Agency and the GAA to develop a National Sustainable Club and Community Programme. INNOVATING FOR THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK OF THE FUTURE
ESB Networks has developed an innovation strategy, to deliver a sustainable and low carbon energy network to serve Ireland’s future energy needs. The Dingle Project is a significant part of this strategy, as it’s an opportunity for ESB Networks to collaborate with local communities and to explore how customers will interact with new energy systems.