Preface

2004 was an important year for the various services falling within the Corporate Services remit. The Department of the Environment and Local Government approved our Social and Affordable Housing Action Plan which will see the delivery of 360 houses over the next five years. Last year the Council developed forty one houses, and in 2005 seventy four houses will be constructed in seven towns and villages throughout the county.

Tim Caffrey, Director of Services

Following the Local Elections of 2004, nine new Councillors took their seats in County Hall. With the status of the electronic voting system being somewhat uncertain, it is possible that the 2004 elections may mark the end of an era. We have included a report on the local elections as an appendix to this report.

Our Emergency Services once again delivered an effective and efficient service to the people of County Sligo in 2004, attending 668 incidents over the course of the year. The Council places particular emphasis on ‘Community Fire Safety’, and 400 secondary and third level students attended lectures in Sligo Fire Station.
 
The introduction of a Customer Services facility in 2004 was an important initiative for this Council.  We are constantly reviewing ways of streamlining and improving the level of service to the general public, and the delivery of this facility confirms our commitment to the highest standards of customer care.

In order to deliver the best possible service, it is essential that staff be equipped with the appropriate skills. The ‘Excellence Through People’ award is the national standard for human resource development, and sets a benchmark for training, development and involvement of staff in the workplace. Sligo County Council was one of the first Local Authorities to actively promote the ‘Excellence Through People’ ideal, and has now earned this coveted accolade in each of its directorates. 

Tim Caffrey
Director of Corporate Services