Annual Report 2020 for Cork City Council.
[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Annual Report 2020
Cork City Council
This is What Makes Us Cork.
Cork City Council Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí
[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
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Image credit: O’Callaghan Properties
[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
A City Of Engaged Neighbourhoods And Communities
Introduction
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Message From Lord Mayor & Chief Executive
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Our Annual Report
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Critical Infrastructure
60
Our Operating Environment
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Parking
64
Corporate Plan & Goals
10
Sustainable Travel & Road Safety Awareness
Mission, Vision, Values
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64 65 67
Our Elected Members 2020
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Community Engagement
Senior Management Team
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Festival & Events
Excellence In Local Government Awards 2020
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Commemorations – 100 Years
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A City Supporting The Delivery Of Homes and Infrastructure Housing Delivery & Developments
72
An Environmentally Sustainable City
74 75 77 77 78
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Housing Supports
Climate Action Water Services
28 29
Asset Management
Property Management
Sustainable Development
31
Infrastructure Development
Tidy Towns
32 32 32
Planning & Development
81
Biodiversity & Heritage
Flood Management
A City Driving Economic & Sustainable Development 86 Reimagine Cork 88 Draft Cork City Development Plan 90 Economic Development 91 Local Enterprise Office 91 International Relations 93 Tourism 93 Research, Develop & Innovate 96
A City Valuing Its People
34
Response To COVID-19 Customer Service Unit
36 38 40 40
Civil Defence
Health And Safety
People Management
41
A City Promoting Culture, Heritage, Learning, Health & Wellbeing
Appendix
100
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Strategic Policy Committees 2020
102
Membership Of Committees
104 108 108 109 109 109
Parks & Recreation
44 46 49 50
Members’ Allowances & Expenses
Heritage, Arts & Culture
Members Allowances
Emergency Services
Other Expenses
Libraries
Bye Laws
Learning City
52
Protection Disclosures
Trauma Sensitive City
54
Annual Financial Statement
110
Sports Development Programme
55
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Introduction
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
In This Section
Message from Lord Mayor & Chief Executive Our Annual Report
Our Operating Structures Corporate Plan & Goals
Mission, Vision, Values Our Elected Members Senior Management Team Excellence in Local Government Awards Commemorations – 100 years
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh
Ann Doherty Chief Executive
Message from Lord Mayor & Chief Executive If 2019 was a significant year in the evolution of Cork City Council, with the addition of 85,000 citizens and seeing the geographical area increase by fivefold, then 2020 was no less momentous, though for markedly different reasons. The first lockdown of 2020, which followed the official announcement of a global COVID -19 pandemic, saw city council staff continue to deliver essential public services like fire services, water services, housing and homelessness services, traffic systems, street cleansing and the maintenance of our public parks and green spaces. A number of our non-essential staff were redeployed to support the then fledgling contact tracing service. Scores more donned high vis’ vests and became our award-winning social distancing park rangers – supporting people who relied on our parks and green spaces like never before as we all adjusted to the notion of keeping two metres apart.
Response Forum (CRF) which proved to be a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable in the community and best practice in inter-agency collaboration. We worked with homeless services, Meals on Wheels, the HSE, the Education Training Board, community gardai, the GAA and groups like Friendly Call to support cocooners and any vulnerable person who needed help during lockdown. In the following weeks and months, we also saw a rapid deployment of a wide range of online services which again helped to reduce the numbers needing to visit public counters at City Hall and allowed us to hold councillor briefings and eventually full council meetings online. We were able to hold a largely online public consultation around the Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028. Across the city and country, arts and cultural events moved online with Glow – A Christmas Celebration – becoming a socially- distanced walking trail. We had many plans to mark the year 2020 as a year of commemoration, 100 years on from the Burning of Cork when the city centre, the City Hall and the adjacent Carnegie Library were destroyed in a night of infamy. However, these atrocities visited on the citizenry and businesses only served to bolster the resolve of the community of the city to pull itself from the ashes and rebuild.
Within two hours of a Ministerial order, Cork City Council also set up its COVID-19 Community
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Commemoration events in 2020 included the special meeting of An Chomhairle to commemorate the election of Tomás Mac Curtain as Lord Mayor of Cork, the Council’s Pledge of Allegiance to Dáil Éireann, the extension of the right to vote to women ratepayers, and the use of proportional representation in an election for the first time and a “Burning of Cork Ceremony” was held on 11th December 2020. A website, exhibitions and a commemoration fund were also held. We have seen high levels of innovation, partnership, and collaboration to mitigate the impact of the pandemic with our city businesses, customers, visitors and investors. We once again demonstrated that we are a resilient city with a vision and strategy to be agile, innovative, and most importantly people centric. Some of the key initiatives from 2020 towards Reimagining Cork included the pedestrianisation of our city streets, improvement and
implementation of additional cycle lanes, parking initiatives, resurfacing bus and cycle lanes, and provision of alfresco dining. Cork City Council and the Cork City Local Enterprise Office worked with communities, traders, streets and business representative groups to introduce measures to support the local economy in a new safe way. Crucially, Cork City Council provided nearly ¤48 million in rates waivers last year and nearly ¤30 million in restart grants to small, medium and larger business. We paid another ¤5.5 million as part of the 30% top up and ¤2 million on further appeals. Cork City Council will continue to give aid where it is needed. Elected members of council, the executive and all the staff will, as always do their utmost to see that Cork City will rise to the challenges that face it in the future, by displaying leadership to and empathy for all of the diverse peoples that are the lifeblood of a truly inclusive, integrated, forward looking community of equals.
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Annual Service Delivery Plan
Prepared each year and approved by Full Council
Personal Development Plan
Performance review monthly through CE Reports
Monthly CE Reports
Developed with line managers to identify
Monthly updates collated from each directorate presented to full council each month. Approved by CE
what is important to each staff member, what they want to achieve and what they need to improve and develop
Corporate Plan 2019 2024
5 year strategic document prepared with internal and external stakeholders. Approved by Full Council
Team Plan Developed by Area teams and approved by directorates to be included in the directorate operational plans
Local & National Service Indicators
(NOAC)
Annual Report Prepared each year and approved by Full Council
Our Annual Report Our Annual Report is one component of the City Council’s integrated strategy and policy documents that details the performance of the City Council’s functions. The Annual report is a reserved function of Council and is set out in Section 221 of The Local Government Act 2001. It provides our Elected Members, Management, staff, and our community with operational and financial information about our performance against the priorities and service delivery commitments as set out in the Corporate Plan and Annual Service Delivery plans.
The report is informed by the council’s Corporate Plan, Annual Service Delivery Plan, Annual Budget, and our monthly Chief Executive Reports which reflects the City Council’s decisions on specific objectives each year. The City Council’s performance is recorded in monthly Chief Executive Reports, yearly National Oversight Audit Committee (NOAC) returns and performance reviews. The work of Cork City Council is overseen by a governance structure which comprises the Lord Mayor of Cork, the 31 Elected Members and the six Chairs of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPC’s).
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Our Operating Environment
The City Council is heavily influenced by legal, societal, political, environment, technological and economic change. We consider the policies and objectives set out in the many statutory plans and strategies that are implemented throughout the council. All plans and strategies referenced in this document can be found in the appendix. We provide a diverse range of services and functions in conjunction with national, regional, and local organisations, agencies, and community groups. We are responsible for supporting our elected members, associated committees, implementing policy across all services. We set and meet local and national key performance indicators in implementing our corporate plan. The structure of the council is centred around three pillars (all interacting and reliant on each other) Operations, Strategy and Support Services.
Cork City Council has thirty-one elected members representing five local electoral areas – Cork City North West, Cork City North East, Cork City South East, Cork City South West, and Cork City South Central. Local Area Committees meet once a month, and a full council meeting is held on the second Monday of every month. Our councillors are members of Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) along with sectoral representatives. The chairs of the SPCs also come together to meet monthly as a Corporate Policy Group (CPG). The Senior Management Team has responsibility for the efficient and effective management of the council and the delivery of its services within available resources. With over 1,500 staff, Council employees come from a wide range of professional backgrounds with diverse skill sets, qualifications, and experience.
Chief Executive & Officials
Councillors elected by the people
Assistant Chief Executive
Approve budgets, development plans, policies, bye-laws at council meetings
Manages day-to-day running of Council and implements policies
SUPPORT SERVICES
OPERATIONS
STRATEGY
Operations (Roads & Environment)
Strategic & Economical Development
Finance
Cork City Council
Corporate Affairs & International Relations People and Organisational Development
Housing
Corporate Policy Group
City Architect
Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
Community, Culture & Placemaking
Strategic Policy Committees
Local Area Committees
Infrastructure Development
STRUCTURE OF THE COUNCIL
ICT Services
Can Nominate Members to
Public Participation Network
Legal Affairs
Social Partners
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Corporate Plan & Goals
recognising the strategic importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the integrated multi-agency approach to achieve our vision in leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City.
The National Planning Framework: Ireland 2040 Our Plan has huge ambitions for Cork. Our Corporate Plan reflects those ambitions in making Cork City a sustainable global city for the future. The Corporate Plan is a blueprint from 2020-2024 to ensure our priorities and regulatory obligations are delivered, service targets met and service delivery continuously improved. Our high level goals and strategic objectives reflect that aspiration by incorporating the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals,
The Global Goals for Sustainable Development
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
improve our environments, expand communities resources to enable people to support each other and developing their maximum potential.
A city of engaged neighbourhoods and communities:
We are unique in that we are an emerging metropolitan area comprising of a city centre, satellite towns, villages, neighbourhoods, and communities offering their own experiences and culture. Our new city complements the older areas and traditions to give Cork a diverse cultural offering that is local in nature but internationally recognised. There are over 500 community groups in Cork city. Our relationships help us to work together to create a city that is accessible, affordable, inclusive, safe, and engaging.
High level goals:
A city supporting the delivery of homes and infrastructure
An environmentally sustainable city: We are committed to responding and acting strategically to the impact that climate change is causing for the betterment of the environment and infrastructure of Cork City. We will lead the way in proactively engaging and empowering citizens in order to make the city as climate resilient as possible while protecting and enriching our environment to deliver enhanced wellbeing and quality of life for everyone. A city valuing its people: Talent, innovation, and communities converge to support our vibrant city. We encourage a spirit that sparks new thinking and ideas. Our public servants, communities, visitors, and residents help us realise the vision and diversity that exist within our city. We will lead in using participatory, consultative, and innovative approaches to decision making.
Housing is a critical piece of social and economic infrastructure in a living city. 2020 has presented clear challenges with respect to the provision of homes. We will continue to face challenges to provide and facilitate the provision of sustainable accommodation for all our citizens and visitors. To enable this continued growth, Cork City Council are committed to delivering sustainable traffic management systems and road infrastructures.
A city driving economic and sustainable development:
Cork is projected to become one of the fastest growing cities in Ireland with a projected 50- 60% increase in population by 2040. We are working with our private and public sector stakeholders on creating jobs, some of which type do not yet exist. We are innovating to stay relevant and working with our partners locally and internationally in academia, IDA, Enterprise Ireland to develop an innovative enterprise ecosystem fit for future economic needs. Cork City Council is contributing to the development and recovery of a vibrant economy for those who live, work, study and invest in the city, particularly during the pandemic and its recovery.
A city promoting culture, heritage, learning, health & wellbeing:
Cork is a city of communities, partnerships, and networks. It is a World Health designated Healthy city; a UNESCO Learning City and a city of welcomes with a rich heritage shaped by our people and history. We continue to create and
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Mission, Vision, and Values
Throughout 2019, extensive research was carried out during the development of the new Corporate Plan 2024. As part this process, our mission, vision, and values were reviewed, and the following were implemented after a series of workshops with staff, stakeholders, and senior management.
Our Mission We deliver excellent public services to the people of Cork by working collaboratively with our strategic partners. We are a city of ambition, working with our neighbourhoods, communities, and businesses to support economic development and facilitate investment.
We value our culture and heritage and ensure that Cork continues to be successful as an attractive place to live, study, visit and work.
Our Vision
Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City.
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Our Values
Public Good We provide high quality services and address peoples’ needs in a manner that is both inclusive and equitable.
Trust & Integrity We act honestly, openly and fairly in all our dealings.
Respect We treat all people equally with due regard for their needs and rights.
People Centric Approach We engage with people in a fair, courteous and timely manner. We strive for continuous improvement.
Responsibility We are accountable and transparent and act responsibly in our dealings and decision making.
Innovation We continually seek progressive and creative approaches in the services we deliver.
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Our Elected Members 2020 Cork City North West
Cllr John Sheehan (FF)
Cllr Damian Boylan (FG)
Cllr Mick Nugent (SF)
Cllr Tony Fitzgerald (FF)
Cllr Fiona Ryan (SOL – PBP)
Cllr Kenneth Collins (SF)
Cork City South West
Cllr Fergal Dennehy (FF) Cllr Colette Finn (GP)
Cllr Thomas Moloney (Ind) Cllr Colm Kelleher (FF)
Cllr Garret Kelleher (FG)
Cllr Henry Cremin (SF)
Cllr Derry Canty (FG)
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Cork City South East
Cllr Lorna Bogue (NP)
Cllr Kieran McCarthy (Ind)
Cllr Des Cahill (FG)
Cllr Mary Rose Desmond (FF)
Cllr Terry Shannon (FF)
Cllr Deirdre Forde (FG)
Cork City North East
Cllr Ger Keohane (Ind)
Cllr Oliver Moran (GP)
Cllr Ken O’Flynn (NP)
Cllr John Daniel Maher (LP)
Cllr Ted Tynan (WP)
Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh (FG)
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Cork City South Central
Cllr Shane O’Callaghan (FG)
Cllr Sean Martin (FF)
Cllr Fiona Kerins (SF)
Cllr Mick Finn (Ind)
Cllr Paudie Dineen (Ind)
Cllr Dan Boyle (GP)
Cork City Council Meeting 1920
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Senior Management Team
Ann Doherty
Brian Geaney
Chief Executive
Assistant Chief Executive
Fearghal Reidy
Ruth Buckley
Paul Moynihan
Director of Strategic & Economic Development
Head of ICT Services
Director of Corporate Affairs & International Relations
Mike Larkin
Tadhg Keating
Adrienne Rogers
Director of People & Organisation Development
Interim Director of Housing
Director Community, Culture & Placemaking
Tony Duggan
Gerry O’Berine
Marguerite Gallagher
David Joyce
City Architect
Director of Infrastructure Development
Head of Legal Affairs
Director of Operations
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Excellence in Local Government Awards 2020 Through our Chamber network’s engagement with Local Authorities, Chambers Ireland recognises the meaningful projects with the Excellence in Local Government Awards. Cork City Council were shortlisted in the following categories:
Promoting Economic Development - Winner
An inspiring and imaginative initiative by Cork City Council called ‘Reimagining the City’ was a direct response to the arrival of the pandemic and its disastrous effects on the social, economic and community life in Cork City Centre. An initiative spearheaded by local businesses and Cork City Council on city streets, starting with Princes Street, which will ensure safe social distancing measures can be adhered to. Moreover, this will ensure local businesses can continue to operate at a level which will safeguard their viability. “The future of the physical city is dependent on how we live in it, how we congregate in it and carry out our leisure activities. It must be good inside, at the heart. Cork needs to remain compact, be light on its feet, be a big personality and be one of the best if it is to thrive.”
• Supporting Sustainable Communities
• Best Practice in Community Engagement -Winner
• Promoting Economic Development -Winner
• Sustainable Environment
• Festival of the Year
• Age Friendly Initiative
Best Practice in Community Engagement - Winner
Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive
Cork City Council’s ‘Social Distancing Park Ranger Programme’ involved Cork City parks and amenities being kept open and available to local citizens, with Social Distancing Park Ranger staff maintaining their presence on the ground as a visible and accessible asset. Operating in over 20 Parks and with more than 150 staff, the Park Ranger Programme contributed to the physical and mental wellbeing of Cork City’s population during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. In response to the pandemic, Cork City Council proved itself to be capable of developing an extremely constructive community engagement process. As the intrinsic benefits of the programme became apparent, the council explored the potential to involve community groups in an even greater way in the daily operation of the programme.
Sustainable Environment
Cork City Council took the lead nationally by putting 76 electric vehicles (EVs) on the road and thereby creating the biggest local authority EV fleet in the country. The Council replaced 100% of diesel transport vehicles where EVs are a technically viable replacement and continues to trial other EVs for the remaining portion of its fleet. Cork City Council’s decision to go electric was taken in anticipation of the Government’s National Climate Action Plan. In delivering this progressive initiative, the council achieved the new Programme for Government 2025 targets for local authority low or no emission vehicles during 2020 – five years ahead of target. The
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Park Rangers
Council has positioned itself as a standard bearer for both the Transport Sector and Local Government sector through this initiative. The Council is achieving substantial energy savings, cost savings and carbon emission reductions due to its decision to migrate to an electric fleet.
is credited with having won Ireland 10 votes in its successful bid for the Security Council seat.
Age Friendly Initiative
Cork City Council Age Friendly programme team, working with City Library colleagues, undertook to collate the most current and accurate information to deliver to Friendly Forum members electronically and by post twice weekly in a completely revamped feedback. Cork City Age Friendly Newsletter is a runaway success. Feedback was immediate and positive, especially with those who were and are unable to use computers, the internet and other digital means. The Age Friendly Programme newsletter has updated its readership with the contact telephone numbers for statutory and non- statutory support organisations including mental health, Cork City Age Friendly, Friendly Call Cork, Garda Síochána (Community) HSE, Senior Line, Age Action and a host of others from trusted sources and has offered practical advice and information. It will grow and develop into the future. It is a local initiative, a partnership with Communities in all their forms.
Festival of the Year
SeaFest is Ireland’s largest free maritime festival and took place along the Cork City quays from Friday, 7th June to Sunday, 9th June, 2019. Aimed at increasing participation and engagement with the seas in close proximity to Cork City quays, the Seafest programme consisted of over 100 free events. The programme was developed through a Steering Group comprising of representatives of State, education, community, industry, leisure, and business. The festival attracted approximately 100,000 visitors. Crucially, as part of Ireland’s campaign to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council, Seafest 2019 was identified by Government as a strategic opportunity for Ireland to engage with other Island Nations. Leaders from 31 Island Nations attended Seafest 2019, and the festival
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh in St Fnbarr’s Graveyard, Cork laying a wreath to mark the 100th anniversary of the hunger strike of former Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney and other republican prisoners in Brixton Prison, London and Cork Men’s Gaol in October 1920
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Commemorations – 100 years It was Cork City Council’s aim that Commemoration would help us learn more about contemporary society, giving us a deeper understanding of how Irish society was shaped by our past. It would focus on the role of community in the city of Cork, to re-affirm the city’s community ties and be inclusive of all sectors of society. The first Commemoration event held by Cork City Council was a Special Meeting of An Chomhairle on the 30th January, 2020 in commemoration of the election of Tomás Mac Curtain as Lord Mayor of Cork, the council’s Pledge of Allegiance to Dáil Éireann, the extension of the right to vote to women ratepayers, and the use of proportional representation in an election for the first time. The meeting, chaired by Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Sheehan was attended by 146 guests from the worlds of politics, business and
the community and voluntary sector was live streamed on our YouTube channel.
On the 11th December, 2020, The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh, An Taoiseach, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., Cork City Chief Fire Officer, John Ryan and renowned Cork playwright, author, Cónal Creedon and Liam Ronayne retired City Librarian, took part in the “Burning of Cork Centenary Ceremony” outside Cork City Hall to commemorate the centenary of the Burning of Cork 100 years ago. Over the course of 2020 and in spite of the pandemic, Cork City Council, communities, businesses, schools, artists, musicians, authors demonstrated their resilience and perseverance in the delivery of commemoration exhibitions, commemorative events, interviews, publications, academia, projects and cultural events across the city.
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Examples can be enjoyed again on Cork City Council’s dedicated Commemoration website www.corkcitycommemorations.ie
published by The Examiner in association with Cork City Council.
“Forgotten Lord Mayor: Donal Óg O’Callaghan, 1920-1924” by Author and lecturer in politics in UCC’s Department of Government and Politics, Dr Aodh Quinlivan “The Nine Survivors - A Story of the 94 day record hunger strike” by Conor Kenny and Claire Cronin
“Cork 1920 The Burning of a City” Cork City Council and St Peters Cork exhibition
“Suffering the Most” Cork Public Museum exhibition
“Enduring Legacy, Archives from Cork, 1920” Cork City and County Archives exhibition
“100 Years of Change” project from The Glucksman, University College Cork
“The Burning of Carnegie Library” “The Burning of the City” “No Longer Forgotten Cork Women of the Revolution” Cork City Library Exhibitions
Murals across the city by Ardú and the Middle Parish Community Association
Cork International Film Festival and the Irish Film Institute ‘Irish Destiny’ film
Wreath Laying Ceremonies by Lord Mayor Cllr John Sheehan and Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh
Documentary and Play - on the life of Cork hunger striker, Joseph Murphy
“Witness to Murder” by Kieran McCarthy and John O’Mahony, a transcript of the Tomás Mac Curtain’s Inquest from March and April 1920
A Centenary Remembrance Mass for former Lord Mayors’ Tomás Mac Curtáin and Terence McSwiney along with the other victims of the 1920 turbulence was celebrated on Sunday, 13th December, in the Cathedral of Saint Mary & Saint Anne, Roman Street, Cork. Due to restrictions, the Lord Mayor Joe Kavanagh represented the people of Cork.
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
George Patterson, Chairman of the Middle Parish Community Association with Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh and Lady Mayoress Stephanie Kavanagh at the unveiling of a mural at the Middle Parish Community Centre to commemorate the centenary of the burning of Cork
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
An Environmentally Sustainable City
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In This Section Climate Action Water Services Sustainable Development Tidy Towns Biodiversity & Heritage Flood Management
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
CE Ann Doherty, Lord Mayor Cllr John Sheehan, Fergus Gleeson, Senior Engineer Cork City Council, David Joyce, Director of Operations Cork City Council and Cormac O’Sullivan, Senior Executive Engineer City Council at the launch of Cork City Councils new fleet of electric vehicles.
Climate Action Climate Action is a key issue for Cork City and Cork City Council is implementing a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy which was adopted in September 2019. These actions are integrated into the mainstream work of the City Council through a dedicated Climate Action Team. Cork City Council has a Climate Action Committee of elected members. Following from the adaptation the Cork City Council ‘Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024’, Cork City Council continued the implementation of the 66 adaptation actions in the strategy. The total combined percentage of actions ‘completed’ and ‘ongoing’ is approx. 75% at the national level and 89% at the local Cork City Council level. A series of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is being developed at a national level to compliment these annual progress reports, making them more robust in terms of verifiable outcomes and outputs.
Climate Action Committee
Cork City Council’s elected members established the Climate Action Committee when they began their current 5-year role in June 2019. The Climate Action Committee consists of 15 councillors from across the political spectrum (total number of councillors is 31) and was deemed necessary to help tackle the existential crisis which we are currently dealing with as a result of disruptive climate change. Indeed, one of the first items on the agenda of the new council back in June 2019 was to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency. The committee is supported by the Executive of Cork City Council, steered by the Director of Services, Corporate Affairs, and International Relations. Since the Climate Action Committee was set up, it has proactively brought climate change and biodiversity issues into much sharper focus. It has encouraged the setting up of a complementary ‘Climate Action Team’ within Cork City Council’s executive staff, thus drawing together many of
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It was live streamed via Cork City Council’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. The meeting provided an update on the climate action progress and initiatives by Cork City Council as the committee reached its one-year anniversary. Invited guests were in attendance, which provided an opportunity for the committee to engage both nationally and with civil society. These guests were the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, Brian Leddin T.D., and Theresa Rose Sebastian of Fridays for Future.
the climate and biodiversity staff experts into a more coherent and effective body to encourage behavioural change. It has invited many external experts to speak at its meetings, thus broadening the Committee members own knowledge base as well as promoting positive climate action among the entire Council and the local stakeholders. The ‘Climate Action Committee’ has greatly facilitated the development and adoption of our ‘Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019- 2024’, which was adopted on 30th September 2019 and the committee continues to drive the implementation aspects of this strategy. The Committee is fully supportive of a future climate change mitigation strategy, which will help position adaptation and mitigation actions under the overall umbrella of a ‘Climate Action Plan’. All these plans and strategies include biodiversity and circular economy elements, as well as climate action, and use as a master template the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In October 2020, Cork City Council prepared an annual update on climate action, in keeping with its obligations under national climate action policy. To coincide with this, a special public meeting of the Climate Action Committee took place on Friday, 16th October 2020.
A Special Meeting was then held on 30th October with Minister Eamon Ryan to discuss Active Transport Infrastructure.
Some of Cork City Council’s highlights over the past 12 months have been:
• Becoming the first local authority in Ireland to set up a dedicated Climate Action Committee
• One of the first local authorities to declare climate and biodiversity emergency in June 2019 • Fulfilled a creative and comprehensive public engagement programme as part of the public consultation phase of the development of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019- 2024 during summer of 2019
• Largest EV (electric vehicles) fleet in the local authority sector
• Large-scale pedestrianisation of city centre streets, in tandem with continuing improvements in cycling infrastructure • Currently one of the leading local authorities in terms of energy reduction as part of our 2020 national targets
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
or disturb the customer in any way. The meter is removed from the boundary box and is replaced with a pre-drilled cap with a short plastic hose with a simple stainless steel tap attached. A water sample can be taken from the location by simply lifting the lid of the boundary box, extracting the small hose and opening the tap. There is no longer a need to call to customers directly, and the sampling process is now quicker and safer for all involved. The sampling apparatus is left in situ so that repeat samples can be taken on a regular basis. This allows for analysis of trends over time. The new sampling procedure has received the approval of the Water Compliance section within Irish Water. Water Distribution In addition to the Water Depot in Centre Park Road, a second Water Depot at Water Street has been set up to facilitate social distancing. Each Depot is managed by an Assistant General Foreperson with two crews per Depot. Access to fittings and supplies held in Centre Park Road has been arranged to ensure no mixing of staff between Depots occurs. Call out of hours crews have also been arranged to avoid mixing of staff. The setting up of the second Depot has been a resounding success by maintaining services and reducing the number of close contacts when a suspected case of COVID-19 occurred. Water Services Capital Changes were implemented in work practices to ensure staff were kept safe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key infrastructure projects resumed following the initial lock down. These included the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant, the Water Network Programme, Leakage Reduction works (which exceeded the of target 4 million litres per day) and COVID-19 stimulus works. Carrigrennan Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrading works were also completed. Drainage Functions such as management of Wastewater and dealing with Flood Events in the City continued as normal throughout 2020, despite the pandemic, without any reduction in service. The expertise and knowledge built up in this
Water Services
A substantial amount of the work carried out by the Water Services Section is on behalf of Irish Water. However, City Council work continues alongside Irish Water work. COVID-19 presented many challenges for Water Services. Water/ Wastewater is an essential service, especially during a pandemic. Throughout 2020 business carried on as usual for Water Services staff, however wide changes in work practices were implemented with no reduction in COVID-19 permitted services.
Some of the measures and innovation developed during the year are:
Water Production Cork City Council is required to test the quality of the water delivered to our customers across the city’s water network. Traditionally, this was done by calling to random houses and taking a sample from the kitchen tap. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, this was no longer an option, so an alternative had to be developed. Water Services staff developed an attachment that could be connected to the boundary box outside a customer’s property to allow a sample to be taken without having to enter the property
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Sustainable Development
section, particularly around weather events was evident in 2020. Staff were instrumental in helping to manage and minimise the impact to the City during those events. Changes in work practices for all Staff, both indoor & outdoor, to ensure staff remained safe and well were implemented. The flexibility and resilience shown by all, ensured that business carried on as usual with no reduction in services. Rural Water This is a new function for Cork City Council following the extension of the City boundary in 2019. Work is continuing to embed new functions such as Grants for Domestic Wells and Septic Tanks and supporting and grant aiding Group Water Supply Schemes. All staff showed great resilience and flexibility in adapting to the new way of working to ensure that all services, including Statutory services, were delivered during the pandemic.
Energy Efficiency Retrofit
During 2020, the City Council completed Energy Efficiency Retrofit works on 156 apartments. The total cost of the works was ¤7M. During the year funding was received to start works on an additional 54 units. To measure the benefits of the retrofitting works energy and environmental monitoring, a measuring and reporting system has been installed in eight apartments. The energy and environmental conditions of the properties will be monitored for one year prior to the installation of Deep Energy Efficiency measures. Monitoring measuring and reporting will continue for at least one year after the works are completed. The apartments deep energy efficiency retrofit program is funded jointly by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Southern Assembly Regional Operational Program utilising ERDF funds aimed at the drive towards a low carbon economy. The Council is also participating in an Interreg North West Europe project called RED-WOLF that aims to reduce the carbon emissions from ten properties using electric storage heaters, Solar Voltaic panels, batteries, and an algorithm that targets the consumption of electricity to when the CO2 content of the grid is low. Through the Horizon 2020 project MiniSTor the council is assisting the International Energy Research Centre to demonstrate in one property how a Minimal sized Energy storage system can reduce the carbon necessary to provide energy in the home. The need to increase awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions and useful steps to achieve the reductions will be developed into a Regional Action Plan by the council in 2021. The Intensify projects regional action plan will
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Biodiversity & Heritage
include actions to (a) provide guidance to tenants on how they can reduce their carbon emissions and (b) the creation of a one stop shop aimed at private homeowners, landlords and tenants on how they can bets improve the energy efficiency of their homes in a financially sustainable manner. Improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock has benefits for the tenants including better health outcomes, better quality of life and lower energy bills, thus reducing the incidence of fuel poverty.
Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan Evaluation of previous Heritage Plan was done, and an analysis of key performance indicators and recommendations were completed. An online publication took place for the first round of the preparation of the draft Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity plan. The second round is due to take place in 2021. Cork City Heritage Community and Publication Grant Scheme. This grant scheme continued during COVID-19 restrictions. Over twenty community heritage projects and four heritage publications supported under this grant scheme in 2020.
Green & Blue Infrastructure
As part of the preparation of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the council is carrying out a series of supporting strategies and studies. Each study provides an evidenced- based approach to planning and, where possible, reflects best international practice. The Cork City Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Study aims to help ensure the city grows in a manner that protects and enhances the existing and emerging GBI network. This Study reviews Cork City’s GBI assets and sets out recommendations on how best to protect, enhance and link this network. Locations where new high quality GBI is needed are identified and policies and objectives for good planning and design that protect against fragmentation are set out. The studies recommendations will assist the Plans objective for Compact Liveable Growth, reducing human impacts on the environment and transitioning to a low carbon city.
Nature in the City – Winter Wellness Programme
A number of publications were online on Cork City Council’s website, several biodiversity publications such as Nature in the City, Gardening for Biodiversity and Saving Swifts to the Biodiversity section of the website. Cork City Council worked with Cork Nature Network and Cork Environmental Forum to develop a series of tutorials on Gardening for Biodiversity and a film on Nature in the City. European Tree of the Year Cork City Council has been involved in European Tree of the Year. The Witch’s Yew Tree in Blarney Castle was a finalist in the European Tree of the Year. Voting took place by members of the public. Approximately two hundred and fifty semi mature root-balled trees were planted in 2020, varieties included Oak, maple, Birch, Beech, Liquidambar, Cherry, Lime, Willow across Cork City’s Parks and open spaces.
Tidy Towns
The City Council worked closely with a number of Tidy Districts groups/local Development Groups and Community Associations across the City, who through their voluntary efforts make a considerable impact enhancing and maintaining the public realm in their areas. The groups, who arrange regular litter picks, clean ups, planting and minor enhancement works, were affected by COVID-19 during 2020 and its restrictions on large group gatherings.
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
Volunteers from Togher Tidy Towns, March 2021
Flood Management
Togher The Togher works have been split into two contracts, the Togher Services Diversions Contract and the Togher Main Works Contract. The Services Diversions Contract is an enabling works package along Togher Road to facilitate the future culvert under the road. This includes the diversion of a major 600mm diameter watermain, foul sewers, minor watermains, various telecoms and gas networks, as well as modifying the existing road drainage. This contract was carried out by Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. and was completed in August 2020. The Togher Main Works Contract includes the construction of a new 675m long culvert, a new trash screen, overflow channel, retaining wall at the outlet and road drainage measures. In addition, this contract also includes some public realm enhancements along, and on approach to Togher Road, for which a separate Part 8 planning approval was granted by Cork City Council in March 2020. This contract will be tendered during quarter one of 2021 with a view to appointing a contractor during Q2 of 2021. The work is expected to commence early in quarter three of 2021 and take approximately eighteen months to complete.
Douglas Flood Relief Scheme (including Togher Culvert)
The Douglas Flood Relief Scheme (including Togher Culvert) consists of flood relief works in the townlands of Ardarrig, Ballybrack, Castletreasure, Douglas and Grange, and was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in November 2017. Douglas The Douglas works contract includes works in five distinct geographical areas as follows: St. Patricks Mills, Douglas Community Park, Ravensdale, Ballybrack Woods, and upstream of Donnybrook Commercial Centre. The works include the construction of new flood defence walls (reinforced concrete and precast elements), reconstruction of existing bridges, new reinforced concrete culverts, drainage and utility diversions, road regarding, hard and soft landscaping. This contract is being carried out by McGinty & O’Shea Ltd. and most of these works were constructed during 2020. It is anticipated that substantial completion will be granted during quarter one of 2021.
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
A City Valuing Its People
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
In This Section Response to Covid-19 Customer Service Unit Civil Defence Health & Safety People Management
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[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Response to COVID-19
the public shifted in that many people were restricted to their homes and needed response and resolution of their queries and service requests. This was a challenge for the City Council with a change in how we delivered those services during the COVID 19 pandemic when remote working was implemented in line with sectoral guidelines and public health guidance. The result has been that new skills and competencies have been developed in the way we work and deliver our services. Regular Team Meetings and Virtual ‘get togethers’ were held via Microsoft Teams to keep regular contact and to boost staff morale. The resilience, flexibility, commitment, and innovation shown by staff throughout the city continues to be outstanding. A Bulk text solution was widely used in communicating with Council staff to keep them informed of COVID-19 developments by Senior Management. At the end of 2020, there were over 1,030 mobile devices in use across the City Council including phones, tablets, telemetry SIM’s, and modems. 2020 saw unprecedented challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an accelerated delivery of a number of key change
Business carried on as usual for City Council staff throughout 2020 despite team members having to work remotely in line with public health and sectoral guidance for periods of the working week. All duties continued to be carried out even at the height of the first lockdown when City Hall was closed for a short period. Adjustments to work practices to serve the public were made in accordance with public health advice and measures were put in place in City Hall campus with the assistance of our Facilities Department (Porters, Security and Cleaning Staff) in the Corporate Affairs and International Relations Directorate. The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges to all, and the Council and its staff were mindful that no single working solution was applicable to everyone. However, the challenge galvanized our staff who displayed flexibility and determination in the use of new technologies to communicate with each other and provide a consistent level of service to the public. It was important that people did not feel isolated or excluded. The expectation of members of
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[ Leading Cork to Take Its Place as a World Class City ]
projects. The City Council’s ICT Department looked at every opportunity to maintain and enhance the digital and on-line services provided to the internal business organisation as well as the businesses and citizens of the city including support to ten new depots, three libraries and new area offices in Blarney, Glanmire, Ballincollig and Douglas which serve an additional 85,000 customers. These developments led to the onboarding of multiple datasets, ICT systems and services across the business areas. Desktop and application environments were configured to ensure that key business applications in use across the organisation could be accessed and business processes maintained. There was a two-pronged approach to enable staff access to the Council network and systems which
initially through the hosting of briefings for the councillors but subsequently full council, Local Area Committee and Strategic Policy Committee meetings. The deployment of these applications, the optimising of the underlying architecture and the security considerations addressed allowed over 20,000 on-line meetings to take place over the period, some over which have been streamed to the wider public. This technology was also used to ensure that key corporate deliverables such as the preparation of the City Development Plan, and the requirement for public consultation were met effectively.
The restrictions around access to public offices resulted in new methods were required to continue the business of the council. On-
required the provision of corporate laptops and VPN access and the establishment of a Virtual Desktop Environment.
line forms were made available on the council website, allowing the processing of over 30,000 applications and payments, using a flexible cloud based Software as a Service solution and new payment channel.
The Community Response initiative was key in the council’s support of residents,
in particular vulnerable individuals and families.
As the situation evolved, new and innovative ways of supporting service delivery across all domains of the organisation were enabled. The Community Response initiative was key in the council’s support of residents, in particular vulnerable individuals and families. There was deployment of a cloud call centre solution which enabled remote hosting and management of the Customer Service Unit, both out of hours and during the weekend periods. GIS support for the initiative was made available to ensure that a clear picture of the support areas was accessible through a dashboard with information on the calls, areas of responsibility and resources required. Effective communication was critical during the initial phase of the community response. Microsoft Teams played a key role in ensuring that departments, directorates, project teams and business processes could function effectively. This was also extended to support the democratic mandate of the council,
These forms and applications range from Parking Permits to Community Grants. Engaging with the public was a significant factor in the development of a number of the forms. For example, builders on-site using their mobile devices helped the development of forms such as hoarding and scaffolding licence applications. Significant changes were made to business processes, governance, and reconciliation requirements. The Council’s suite of websites played a key role in ensuring that community initiatives and public events could continue during the year. New sites were developed for Heritage Week, Culture Night and Centenary Commemoration which were rich in video and interactive content. A new cloud based Major Emergency Information Management solution was deployed across the region with significant input in the design and testing from the City Council, to support the Major Emergency Management Inter Agency
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