Cork City Council Annual Report 2021
This Is What Makes Us Cork. Adopted by Council 13 th June 2022
[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction from CE & Lord Mayor......................................................1 Local Authority of the Year ....................................................................3 Mission, Values and Vision.....................................................................5 Mission ...............................................................................................5 Vision..................................................................................................5 Values.................................................................................................5 Corporate Plan & Goals ..........................................................................5 6 High Level Goals .............................................................................6 The Global Goals for Sustainable Development ..............................7 Our Operating Environment .............................................................8 Operations. ............................................................................................9 Operations (Roads & Environment) ........................................................ Roads.................................................................................................... 10 Intelligent Transport Systems ........................................................ 10 Critical Infrastructure ..................................................................... 10 Water Services ..................................................................................... 11 Water Production ........................................................................... 13 Water Distribution.......................................................................... 14 Capital Work Programme .............................................................. 14 Drainage.......................................................................................... 15 Rural Water..................................................................................... 15 Environment ........................................................................................ 11 Deep cleans: ................................................................................... 11 Solar Compacting Litter Bin Trials: ................................................ 12 Tramore Valley Park ....................................................................... 12 Mattress Amnesty .......................................................................... 12 Christmas Trees .............................................................................. 12 Old Cork Waterworks Experience.................................................. 12 Parks & Recreation .............................................................................. 15 Marina Park Phase 1....................................................................... 15 Pedestrian/Cyclist Access to Tramore Park via Half Moon Lane . 15 Green Flag Awards ......................................................................... 15 Planting and Biodiversity................................................................ 16 Other capital works ........................................................................ 16 Housing ................................................................................................ 17 Housing First ................................................................................... 17 Housing Energy Efficiency Retrofit and Special Projects.............. 17 Homeless Persons Unit .................................................................. 17 Cork Foyer & Bishopsgrove............................................................ 18 Community, Culture & Placemaking .................................................. 19 Community ..................................................................................... 19 Learning City ................................................................................... 23 Lifelong Learning ............................................................................ 23 Cork City Marathon ........................................................................ 25 Arts & Events .................................................................................. 26 Fire Service...................................................................................... 35 Environmental Awareness and Education .................................... 36 Old Cork Waterworks ..................................................................... 37 Sports & Amenity ........................................................................... 38 Sustainable Travel & Road Safety Awareness ............................... 42 Libraries .......................................................................................... 44 Customer Service Unit Annual Report 2021 ................................. 46 Development Management........................................................... 47 Strategy ................................................................................................ 52 Strategic & Economic Development................................................... 53 Urban Regeneration and Development Fund............................... 53 Town and Village Scheme .............................................................. 54 Local Enterprise Office ................................................................... 54 Reimagining Cork Continues.......................................................... 54 Parklets ........................................................................................... 55
Tourism............................................................................................ 55 Enhancing Cork City’s Outdoor Dining Offering ............................ 56 Elizabeth Fort .................................................................................. 57 Playful Culture Trail......................................................................... 58 Developing New Tourism Products and Infrastructure ................ 58 City Architects ...................................................................................... 59 Restoration of Townhouses at 5-6 Shandon Street and John Philpott Curran Street, Cork ........................................................... 59 Plans for Renewed Grand Parade Quarter Revealed.................... 60 Place for Pause ................................................................................ 61 Infrastructure Development................................................................ 62 Skehard Road Realignment and Renewal Project Phase 3 ...........62 Pedestrian Safety Intervention Scheme 2020 ............................... 63 Curraheen Walk and Cycleway Upgrade ....................................... 65 Melbourn Road Cycle Infrastructure ............................................. 66 Glasheen Road to Magazine Road Link.......................................... 67 Victoria Road to MacSwiney Quay Cycle Lanes............................. 68 South Mall Cycle Infrastructure ..................................................... 69 Passage West Greenway Improvement Scheme Phase 1 ............70 N27 Kinsale Road (Airport Hill)....................................................... 71 Update to Douglas Flood Relief Scheme (including Togher Culvert) ......................................................................................................... 72 Bridge Projects ................................................................................ 73 Support Services.................................................................................. 74 Corporate Affairs & International Relations ....................................... 75 Commemorations – 100 years ....................................................... 77 Innovation Week ............................................................................. 83 National Innovation Strategy & Network ...................................... 84 Cork City Council Innovation Forum .............................................. 85 Service Improvement Projects ....................................................... 85 Vaccination Centre.......................................................................... 86 Health and Safety............................................................................ 87 English Market ................................................................................ 87 Casual Trading Summer Special event........................................... 89 Derelict Sites ................................................................................... 89 ICT Services........................................................................................... 90 ICT Response to Covid-19............................................................... 90 ICT Programme of Work ................................................................. 90 Finance ................................................................................................. 96 Annual Financial Statement ........................................................... 96 Senior Management Team ................................................................ 102 Our Elected Members 2020 .............................................................. 102 Cork City North West .................................................................... 102 Cork City South West .................................................................... 103 Cork City South East...................................................................... 103 Cork City North East...................................................................... 104 Cork City South Central ................................................................ 104 Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) ..................................................105 Membership of Committees ............................................................. 107 Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) ...............................................107 Local Area Committees (LAC) ....................................................... 108 Climate Action Committee ........................................................... 108 Other Committees ........................................................................ 108 Expenses ............................................................................................. 111 Mobile Phone/Broadband Allowances paid in 2021...................111 Conference and Training Expenses..............................................111 Protected Disclosures ........................................................................ 112 Byelaws ............................................................................................... 112 Annual Service Delivery Plan Review ................................................112
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction from CE & Lord Mayor
In 2021, Cork City in common with other urban centres across the country and the globe found itself facing the challenge of a second year of the Covid 19 pandemic. Though there were varying degrees of respite from the restrictions placed on the population to curb the spread of the virus, both the citizens and businesses of Cork had to endure another difficult year. Against this background and the need to continue to provide services to the city, the City Council continued to innovate and inspire, engaging in transformative projects that saw seventeen of the c ity’s streets pedestrianised, allowed young people to enjoy sports throughout the pandemic, and a focus on Reimagining Cork continued. Ultimately, this dedication to developing and nurturing the city and its communities led to Cork City Council being named Local Authority of the Year in the annual Chambers Ireland -Excellence in Local Government Awards and being commended for its creativity and innovation in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. 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, 2021 saw ninety projects from twenty local authorities shortlisted and of the ninety projects shortlisted Cork City Council had twelve, with three of those projects winning individual awards. Further detail on these projects are shown in this annual report. As Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke TD said in his commentary on the awards: ‘This achievem ent 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.” The Draft Cork City Development Plan, published in July, provides a framework for building and transforming the city over the next six years. Supporting the creation of 20,000 homes and 31,000 jobs, ‘Our City, Our Future’ provides a blueprint for Cork as the city embarks upon an exciting phase of growth and change – with sustainability, quality of life, so cial inclusion, and climate resilience at the plan’s core. It aims to ensure that as our population increases, we become an even better place to live, and the published draft follows widespread dialogue and engagement with all stakeholders. This is a time of unprecedented opportunity for Cork City. The National Transport Authority has committed €3.5bn as part of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy to develop world -class sustainable transport solutions in Cork. There is a visible confidence in ou r city as evidenced by planned landmark projects such as the €46 million, URDF funded Grand Parade/Bishop Lucey Park/Tuckey Street rejuvenation and the €350 million to be invested in the Cork City Docklands. To make our vision a reality, Cork City Council will be working with a range of partners to deliver services such as schools, health services, community and cultural facilities. Originally designated in January 2012, Cork City has been successfully designated as a World Health Organisation Healthy City for the third time. Accepted into Phase VII of the European Healthy Cities Network, Cork will join Belfast as the only other Irish city currently in the network. Cork City has renewed its commitment to supporting the implementation of actions at city level relevant to the six P’s of the Phase VII Healthy Cities framework - People, Place, Prosperity, Participation, Planet, and Peace. Cork is leading by example by continuing to champion the WHO Healthy Cities movement, building networks and relationships, highlighting inequalities, establishing initiatives, consulting on various healthy city topics, and collaborating nationally, regionally, and globally.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In August of 2021 Cork City Council launched its 2021-2026 Air Quality Strategy and is the first local authority in the country to devise such a strategy. The Air Quality Strategy sets out short, medium, and long-term initiatives to improve air quality in Cork City. In addition, over €2 million was invested in cycling infrastructure including the addition of over 20km of new and improved cycling lanes and the installation of 4km of bollards to make cycling safer, more attractive and emphasise our commitment to more sustainable transport options. In many respects, Cork city is an exemplar for positive change at this time and projects such as those improving our cycling and walking infrastructure, the innovative work undertaken in Re- imagining Cork’ and the vision involved in the preparation of the Development Plan are key examples of this. Cork is poised to be the fastest growing city in Ireland to 2040. This is clearly articulated in the Government’s National Planning Framework and is underpinned by a commitment of continued investment by the Government. So, as we look back on 2021 as another year of challenging times for all; citizens and businesses communities can also see that the future is bright in Cork City. The city is getting ready to take its place as a true counterbalance to Dublin. The City Council, the elected members and the executive will drive forwards with their vision of Cork as a healthy, vibrant, vigorous, inclusive, sustainable, equitable place for all of our communities to settle in and enjoy.
Lord Mayor
Chief Executive
Cllr Colm Kelleher
Ann Doherty
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Local Authority of the Year
Cork City Council is delighted to have been named Local Authority of the Year in the annual Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2021 commended for its “creativity and determination” in the face of the Covid -19 pandemic.
Cork City Council received another three awards for individual projects that it delivered in the city last year shown below. Altogether, twelve projects from Cork City Council made up the total of 90 projects that were shortlisted from local authorities around the country. Lord Mayor, Cllr Colm Kelleher said: “As noted by Chambers Ireland, Cork City Council really went ‘above and beyond’ in th eir response to the Covid-19 pandemic and delivered some exceptionally innovative projects to help support communities and business. I warmly congratulate Ann Doherty and her hardworking staff.” Chief Executive Ann Doherty said: “I am honoured and humbled to lead my colleagues here in Cork City Council who embody public service at its very best. In the face of the ongoing challenge that is Covid-19, Cork City Council staff have demonstrated flexibility, innovation, and a continued desire to work with others for the benefit of the residents, businesses and visitors to Cork. As a result, enduring benefits and competencies have been developed in the way we work and deliver our services and Cork’s shift to growing as a city of sustainable urban growth has been a ccelerated to the benefit of all.” The Excellence in Local Government Awards 2021 (ELG Awards), sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, are held each year to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work being carried out by local authorities across Ireland.
Cork City Council’s three individual winning projects were:
Sports on the Green in the ‘ Health & Wellbeing ’ category.
With sports curtailed due to public health restrictions, it became apparent that young people, particularly those at risk, were struggling with their mental and physical health. Located in local housing estates, ‘Sports on the Green’ allowed youths try new sports on their doorstep and thereby promoted physical activity, wellbeing, and resilience at a local level. It also removed barriers like cost, time and transport. The scheme was led by Cork City Council, in partnership with multiple stakeholders such as Cork Sports Partnership (CSP), National Governing Bodies (NGB), sports clubs, residents’ associations, and Community Gardaí.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Re-Opening a More Resilient Cork City Centre in the ‘ Enhancing the Urban Environment ’ category.
The aim was to make the city centre more inclusive, safer and a pleasant place and experience for residents, shoppers and visitors while supporting local business and culture. This involved, at its core, a major infrastructure realignment to permanently pedestrianise 17 streets to make the city centre more people friendly and greener. It delivered:
• Pedestrianisation interventions on 17 streets • New bike parking facilities at 50 locations (city wide) • Extended street furniture licenses including winter proofing • Enhanced cycling infrastructure (bollards, new cycle lanes) • Urban parklets – new community interaction spaces which helped ‘green’ the city • Temporary footpath extensions to facilitate access • City Centre branding initiative – friendly & welcoming signage
Infill Housing Conservation Project, 5-6 Shandon Street & John Philpott Curran Street in the ‘Heritage & Built Enviro nment’ category.
Cork City Council restored two 18th Century derelict town houses on the corner of Shandon Street and John Philpott Curran Street and infilled a site on the corner of John Philpott Curran Street and Cathedral Avenue to provide 9 sheltered housing apartments. This project transformed the identity of an urban block in the historic Shandon quarter of the City from dereliction to active, fully habitable, efficient accommodation for use by elderly members of the local community.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mission, Values and Vision
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.
Vision Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City.
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 .
Responsibility We are accountable and transparent and act responsibly in our dealings and decision making.
People Centric Approach We engage with people in a fair, courteous and timely manner. We strive for continuous improvement .
Innovation We continually seek progressive and creative approaches in the services we deliver.
Corporate Plan & Goals The National Planning Framework Project Ireland 2040 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 are met and service delivery continuously improved. Our high-level goals and strategic objectives reflect that aspiration by incorporating the UN Global Sustainable Development 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.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6 High Level Goals
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. 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 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 yet 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. A city supporting the delivery of homes and infrastructure Housing is a critical piece of social and economic infrastructure in a living city. 2021 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.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Global Goals for Sustainable Development
All the sustainable development goals have targets that are related to the daily work of Cork City Council. The Council, as policy makers and catalysts of change are best placed to link the global goals with the local communities. The City Council raise awareness at a local level, advocate and implement the goals locally, whilst monitoring, evaluating and learning from our experiences. Collaboration with city stakeholders, communities and groups allows us to share solutions, unlock barriers and implement strategies at local level. A number of staff awareness sessions were held throughout 2021 demonstrating how this is being done.
Goal 03 – Good Health and Wellbeing This is done in collaboration with the HSE to drive the Health and Wellbeing agenda internally in the City Council with all stakeholders in Cork City and the people of Cork. This session covered the effects of climate change on human and mental health; health impact of floods; a safe space, Healthy Cities Action Plan, Cork Food Policy Council; Green Spaces for Health; Parklets; Workplace Mental Health (Psyched); Playful Paradigm; Let’s Play Packs; Placemaking; and Tactical Urbanism. Goal 04 – Quality Education In collaboration with University College Cork, this session explored how the City Council with its stakeholders are enabling everyone to study, learn and fulfil their potential. Topics included the UNESCO Global Conference on Learning Cities; Cork Learning City; EcoWell; interagency Cross Sectoral Leadership Series; Collaboration with Educational Institutions; Libraries; Carnival of Science; Lifetime Lab; Cork Access Network; and Lifelong Learning. Goal 07 – Affordable and Clean Energy Presented by our Energy Team, the session covered how the City Council is surpassing targets in energy efficiencies; where significant energy users are; the electric fleet; receiving ISO50001 accreditation; climate action fund projects; driver awareness training; decarbonisation strategy; energy audits; solar PV feasibility; climate action bill, green procurement and the grants that are available. Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production This session demonstrated how the City Council are trying to meet and promote the needs of the present generation without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Some of the initiatives explored included: Single Use Plastics; School Water Stations; Greening of Festivals and Events; Reducing waste to landfill; food waste; textiles waste; reuse month fashion show; Reuse paint project; circular economy; education programmes through Lifetime Lab; Sustainable Travel; Pollinator Friendly planting schemes. Goal 13 – Climate Action Climate Action is everyone ’s responsibility, and this session highlighted the mitigation and adaptation measures through the Climate Action Plan in addressing flooding in the city centre; global warming; SDG’s interacting with each other; climate targets; climate adaptation committee; biodiversity strategy; green and blue infrastructure; air quality; public lighting; and the destination sustainability index.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Our Operating Environment 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 City 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 City Council and the delivery of its services within available resources. With over 1,500 staff, City Council employees come from a wide range of professional backgrounds with diverse skill sets, qualifications, and experience. 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 City Council. 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, and implementing policy across all services. We set and meet local and national key performance indicators in implementing our corporate plan.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Operations
In this Section: Operations (Roads & Environment) Housing Community, Culture & Placemaking
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Operations (Roads & Environment)
Roads
Intelligent Transport Systems The ITS Section manages Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Public Lighting infrastructure throughout the city. The section seeks to manage the assets to provide services in a sustainable manner. This includes the planning, delivery and maintenance of a range of transportation and mobility related services, projects and systems which encompasses a network of over 26,225 electrical assets. Road Lighting The network includes 24,367 streetlights, 600km of power cabling and 1,225 customer service pillars. A new street lighting maintenance contract was awarded which rectified over 6,000 job tickets. The adoption of the new Public Lighting Framework 2020 defines three high level goals on which future public lighting services and infrastructure will be delivered: Asset Management, Service and Energy Reduction. ITS Operations The network includes 364 traffic signal installations, 47km of communication and network cabling, electronic messaging signs including VMS, School/Speed warning signs, automatic bollards and RTPI signs and the management of city centre lining and signing. ITS Systems The Scoot UTC system encompassing 141 Streams with numerous detection systems and CCTV monitoring units are also utilised to manage the network. Disruptions to the network are monitored in real time and complaints are processed through the online fault management systems and actioned over a 1,000 job tickets by assigned crews and contractors to relevant KPI’s.
Event/emergency and out of hours response was provided for both Public Lighting and ITS Operations throughout the year.
With the support of the NTA, 17 city centre streets were pedestrianised with works commencing on the installation of a further 13 automatic bollard installations. In addition, design works began on improving facilities and improving pedestrian demand and cycle facilities. The change out of street lighting lanterns continued reducing energy consumption across 2,952 lanterns. Electrical investigation works were completed on 3,000 street lighting columns. The roll out of fibre optic/wireless connectivity for traffic signal continued with 113 sites currently connected.
Critical Infrastructure Footpaths
Over 15,000 square metres of new and enhanced footpaths were completed by the Roads Operations Division in 2021 at over fifty locations throughout the city, financed through the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel Scheme and through internal Cork City Council funding, which focused on encouraging Active Travel and improving accessibility and connectivity linking communities to facilities, services and public transport. Furthermore, improvement and enhancement works were completed at four city centre stairwell locations.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Roads Resurfacing The Roads Operations Division completed over 150,000 square metres of road resurfacing in 2021 on regional, local and estate roads. Highlights included Shandon Street and The Lough Road, as well as twelve newly pedestrianised city centre streets, as part of the Council’s Re -imagining Cork programme:
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Caroline Street
Cook Street
Grafton Street
Little Anne Street Little Cross Street Marlboro Street Maylor Street
Oliver Plunkett Street Pembroke Street Paul Street (part of) Peter and Paul Place
Phoenix Street.
Most of these streets were resurfaced before society reopened in April 2021 and before the peak usage time of the summer months.
Environment Deep cleans Street cleaning crews carried out numerous deep cleans of the pavement surfaces and street furniture in the city centre areas. These areas need the most attention due to the volume of daily footfall. The street cleaning crews use a hotwash pressure washer which is efficient in removing stubborn dirt but also a useful way of removing germs from surfaces. A rotary scrubbing attachment is used on the pressure washer for removing gum from the city street.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tramore Valley Park In 2021, installation and commissioning of 56kwp solar photovoltaic system at Tramore Valley Park administration and laboratory buildings.
Solar Compacting Litter Bin Trials In 2021, Cork City Council trialled solar compacting litter bins. The findings of the trials noted that the number of collections of waste could be reduced by 75% by using solar compacting bins compared to the existing non compacting litter bins across the city. In conjunction with these trials, non-compacting recycling bin were installed at various locations. It was found that the levels of contaminated recycling bins in the city centre was of an acceptable level. This is a noted improvement compared to previous trials in 2016. As a result, it is anticipated that a number of permanent recycling bins will be strategically placed around the city centre in 2022.
Mattress Amnesty End-of-life mattresses are a problem waste stream for Cork City Council as they are illegally dumped in ditches and green areas around the city. They are bulky and difficult to handle and move for our Operations staff under the parks, roads and cleansing sections. They are unsightly and their presence in an area generally serves to encourage further illegal dumping in that area. As a result, Cork City Council provide a mattress amnesty service to the public on an annual basis allowing people bring their unwanted mattresses to our Civic Amenity Site at Tramore Valley Park. This service is run over a number of days with a charge of €5 per mattress. This service is run in collaboration with Bedwise Recycling who remove the mattresses for recycling and reuse, over 200 mattresses were dropped off by the public in 2021. It is reasonable to assume that a portion of these would otherwise have ended up being dumped in parks or open areas around the city.
Christmas Trees Each year in January, Cork City Council provide designated drop-off sites that enables members of the public bring their Christmas trees free of charge. The sites are situated throughout the city covering Glanmire, Ballincollig, northside and southside areas along with our Civic Amenity Site in Tramore Valley Park with the service being tendered for and provided under contract by tree service operators. In recent years we have seen significant increases in the take up from the public with the weights increasing from 74 tonnes collected and shredded in 2019 to 93 tonnes in 2022 By providing this service it greatly reduces the possibility of illegal dumping.
Old Cork Waterworks Experience In 2021, Old Cork Waterworks Experience installed one 45kw air to water unit plus a new circulating pump. Decommissioned 2 x 25kw water-based heat pumps, two well water pumps and two internal circulating pumps.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Water Services The bulk of the work carried out by the Water Services Section of Cork City Council is on behalf of Irish Water providing public water & wastewater services. Water Services also includes Surface Water Drainage, the monitoring of Private Water and Wastewater services which is the responsibility of the Local Authority. The City Council continued to provide the essential Water, Wastewater and Surface Water Drainage services throughout the strictest lockdown periods of the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff implemented the precautionary measures and the changes in work practices to ensure the services were delivered. Water Production During 2021, we produced an average of 30,279,000 litres of water every day at the Lee Road Waterworks. This was a reduction of 7,171,000 litres/day on the 2020 production to facilitate the construction of the new Water Treatment Plant and the replacement of trunk water mains. Alternative water was secured from the Inniscarra Water Treatment Plant and delivered via the recently installed 600mm trunk water main from Tivoli to the City centre. 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. Due to Covid 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 or disturb the customer in any way and was a quicker and safer for all involved. Samples can be taken on a regular basis allowing for analysis of trend. This commenced in 2020 and was further extended in 2021 allowing 135 samples across the network.
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Water Distribution Maintenance and operation of the water network continued 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year to ensure water was supplied to the citizens of Cork City through the COVID-19 pandemic. This was achieved by good hygiene and protection measures, separation of crews and providing two separate depots to work from to ensure staff safety. The water network crews also facilitated the significant water capital works programme and new connections across the City. Capital Work Programme Key infrastructure projects continued during the COVID-19 pandemic including the new Lee Road Water Treatment Plant and the Water Network Programme for the Leakage Reduction works. The target for Cork City Council in 2021 was to achieve a 1.5 MLD leakage reduction. Actual savings of 6.0 MLD were achieved through the excellent work by the Council water services staff working with the Regional Contractor (Ward & Burke) through Find & Fix, water main rehabilitation, pressure reduction and lead replacement works. Network booster pumps were installed to maintain water supply while the Churchfield Tower Reservoir was cleaned, and a structural assessment was completed. The wastewater network hydraulic model was completed to stage 2, combining the 4 sub catchments and their verification, allowing it to proceed to the needs assessment stage. The Cork Pipelines Project consisting of 3 distribution trunk pipelines, 2 rising mains with 2 pump stations commenced on site during the summer period to maximise pipelaying over the quieter City traffic routes. 2021 saw the installation of the bulk pipelines on the traffic routes, and the project will continue until 2023.
Progress on the New Lee Road Water Treatment Plant and in the background a section of the Cork Pipelines Project.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Drainage Functions such as management of Wastewater and dealing with Flood Events in the City continued as normal throughout 2021, despite the pandemic, without any reduction in service. The expertise and knowledge built up in this section, particularly around weather events was evident in 2021. 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 relatively new function for Cork City Council coming about 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. The Covid 19 pandemic created many challenges. However, it has galvanized our teams in Water Services. New skills and competencies have been developed in the way we work and deliver our services. All staff continued to show 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.
Parks & Recreation
Marina Park Phase 1 Construction of Marina Park Phase 1 was completed. The project cost was € 9m, funded by LIHAF, ERDF and City Council funding. The Park, comprising of 13 acres, combines a series of walkways, an ornamental water feature, a stream, a performance area, sunken lawns, wildflower meadows and an iconic structure the Central Hall, replicating that which existed in the former Munster Agricultural Showgrounds.
Pedestrian/Cyclist Access to Tramore Park via Half Moon Lane Work was completed on the provision of another safe pedestrian/cyclist entrance to the park from the South Douglas Road. Works comprised of footpath widening, new traffic lighting, new sections of pathway, and safe delineation of walk/cyclist path.
Green Flag Awards Both Shalom Park and the 18- acre Fitzgerald’s Park achieved An Taisce Green Flag Awards on first attempt. The marking criteria for awarding included environmental management, biodiversity and horticultural standards.
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Planting and Biodiversity Over 4,500 perennial pollinator friendly plants were planted at 6 locations across the City. 70 tiered planters were planted in the City Centre by both summer and winter bedding, giving great colour throughout the year. More than 700 native trees were planted comprising a variety of native Irish species such as birch, oak, holly and hazel. We increased the number of no-mow areas across the City during the year as a biodiversity action and will add further areas in 2022. We completed the Old School Path Biodiversity Plan and gave assistance to the many local community groups in encouraging biodiversity and assisting with environmental clean ups.
Other capital works •
Carried out major pitch upgrade works at Clashduv Park. • Provided an additional 80 plots at St. Catherine’s Cemetery . • Blackrock Car Park reinstatement works and path network enhancements in various parks.
• Playground upgrades at the Lough, Meelick Park and at Shalom Park. • Part funded the reinstatement of the Mill Pond Looped Walk Waterloo.
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[Leading Cork to take its place as a World Class City] __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Housing Housing First
Housing First is a housing-led approach that enables people with a history of rough sleeping or long-term use of emergency accommodation, and with complex needs, to obtain permanent secure accommodation, with the provision of intensive supports to help them to maintain their tenancies. Housing First is a collaboration between the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and the Department of Health. Housing First aims to provide a home to people who are long term users of emergency accommodation. The project offers a home in tandem with person-centred, community based and recovery-oriented supports. To date, in Cork City, 32 of these supported tenancies have been established and, in doing so, it has resulted in significantly reducing the instances of rough sleeping in the city. The next phase of the National Implementation Plan will be launched in January 2022 and over the next 5 years, Cork City Council, working with the HSE and our NGO partners - Cork Simon and Focus Ireland - will establish a minimum of 45 additional tenancies. Housing Energy Efficiency Retrofit and Special Projects In 2021, a further 54 apartments in seven blocks had their energy efficiency improved up a minimum level of energy efficiency rating B2. The estimated rated savings in energy consumption is 11,835kwh/m2/yr. The estimated savings in CO2 emissions is 2,367 KgCO2/m2/yr. This brings the total number of apartments that have been upgraded to 210. The apartment deep energy retrofit program is now closed and has been replaced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage energy efficiency retrofit program. The benefits of deep energy retrofitting go beyond decarbonisation. Indoor comfort and health are also improved. To demonstrate this, a number of City Council tenants have been invited by the HAVEN project to participate in a pre and post works study of the health impact assessment of deep energy efficiency retrofitting of their homes. The City Council through the Housing Maintenance Department is participating in a number of other studies aimed at decarbonising the home and improving the rate at which it is completed so that Ireland can meet its 2050 climate action targets. These include the following: Upstairs; MiniStor; Intensify; Red-Wolf; Build Upon2; Empower; Act4ECO; Indu-Zero; Turnkey Retrofit; Haven Project
The City Council ’ s role in each project varies from partner, advisor, pilot site and advisory board member. More details about each project and the City Council ’ s role can be found on the project website.
The City Council is also providing a pilot site for a locally developed software product called RETROKIT, which will enable local authorities and large landlords to design, plan and implement retrofitting solutions using a variety of approaches. More about this product can be found at https://retrokit.eu/
Homeless Persons Unit
There was €17m in Section 10 funding for the south west r egion, €11m for Cork City in 2021. The In the Housing First Service, funded through Genio Service Reform Fund, there were 30 tenancies by end 2021. The rollout commenced in Cork County and Kerry with a total of 8 tenancies in place. There was a decrease of individuals in Emergency Accommodation in Cork City in 2021 by 6% and Rough Sleepers reduced by 75% in 2020. There are now no long term entrenched rough sleepers in 2021 in Cork City.
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