Message from Chief Executive & Lord Mayor Looking at the city skyline, it is evident that there is significant momentum behind Cork. This investor confidence is underpinned by national and regional policies that have ea rmarked Cork’s population to grow by over 50% to 335,000 over the next 20 years. Cork City must meet this ambition. Considering development constraints and potential throughout the country, it is no exaggeration to say, ‘for Ireland to succeed, Cork must succeed’. However, this growth must be achieved in a sustainable way. Neighbourhoods, not just houses, must be developed; community, cultural and social services need to be enhanced; jobs have to be created; and the physical, social and economic resilience of the city must be copper fastened in light of climate change. Importantly, we have to build on our strength as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Healthy City, by developing a city that supports healthy lifestyles. In short, Cork must be a city built for people, a city with a strong sense of place and a strong sense of belonging. The ambition for Cork comes on the back of high-profile success achieved by the city in recent years:
Cork is a UNESCO Learning City Cork is a WHO Healthy City
• •
• Cork is recognised as one of the best cities in Europe for economic development • Cork City Council is recognised as an exemplar in terms of social housing delivery • The NTA has ringfenced €3.5billion for investment in Cork’s transport infrastructure • Cork City has been lauded on the European stage for its cultural participation and attractiveness • Cork is home to world class education institutions • The Cork Docklands is the biggest brownfield regeneration site in Europe Our focus as an organisation is on delivering high quality services to the public. To help achieve this, Cork City Council is committed to working with Government to leverage and optimise funding opportunities for Cork. Every five years we develop the Corporate Plan to chart our goals and objectives for the way ahead. For 2024, we want to lead Cork’s development as a world class city to live, study, work, invest and visit. Importantly, in addition to our goals and objectives, the Corporate Plan reiterates the values of Cork City Council which are ultimately designed to serve the public good. This Corporate Plan provides a framework for Cork City Council to contribute, to harness and realise the ambitions set out for Cork. As the local authority for the fastest growing city in Ireland, we will take an innovative and solutions-based approach to our activities that respect the sustainable development of our city. Our long-term aim is to be a world class, sustainable city. This Corporate Plan sets out key objectives for the City Council under a range of headings. These will provide the roadmap for the activities of City Council over the next 5 years. Working as a team with our partners, we can achieve our ultimate goal which is to ensure that Cork City grows in a sustainable way and is always a great place to live and a place where people are valued. There are undoubted geopolitical, cyclical and Brexit-related challenges ahead, but we believe Cork, which is set to become the second biggest English-speaking city in the EU, is ready to meet those challenges. We are resilient city with a vision and strategy in place to be agile, innovate and ensure that we achieve the ambition set out for us.
Lord Mayor, John Sheehan
Chief Executive, Ann Doherty
3
Powered by FlippingBook