Communications/Media Office

The Communications Office provides information services to the elected members, staff, media and the general public, as well as providing administrative support to the Cathaoirleach.

CONTACT MAGAZINE

Sligo Local Authorities publish a quarterly magazine for the general public, titled ‘Contact’, which provides news and information from Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council. The magazine is distributed with a local newspaper, and is also available from a network of outlets throughout the county. An on-line version of the magazine is available on www.sligococo.ie, and an ‘audio file’ of the magazine is also produced to assist persons with a visual impairment.

E-CONTACT

To supplement the quarterly magazine, the Communications Office also publishes a monthly enewsletter. e-Contact is circulated to individuals and groups who register their interest on-line. A ‘hard copy’ of the e-newsletter is also available to those without access to a computer.

WEBSITE

The Communications Office works with the Information Technology section to maintain and update the Sligo Local Authorities’ websites. The sites provide on-line access to application forms and guidelines, contact details for all the services, weekly roads report, monthly news digest, and all the current advertisements and recruitment notices. During 2006 the site was upgraded to ensure it was accessible to people with visual impairments and people with coordination difficulties, and a newly introduced content management system means the site can facilitate presentation of the information in other languages.

OPEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE

Under its ‘Open Local Government’ initiative, local school children are invited to County Hall to attend a monthly meeting of the Council. The children also attend a presentation on the role and services of the Council, and are given an information pack of brochures, newsletters and reports.

- Cathaoirleach Awards Presentation Ceremony

CATHAOIRLEACH’S AWARDS

The Cathaoirleach’s Awards Scheme was introduced in 2000 to reward the many volunteers in County Sligo who have given special service to their community.  The award winners in 2006 were:

• ARTS:
  South Sligo Macra na Feirme Club
• ENVIRONMENT:
  Tony Clarke
• HERITAGE:
  Eugene O’Connor
• COMMUNITY:
  Seamus McCormack
• SPORTS:
  Pegasus
• NATIONAL SCHOOLS:
  Realt na Mara, Rosses Point

CIVIC EVENTS

The Communications Office co-ordinated arrangements for a number of receptions at County Hall during 2006 including a reception for the Sligo Ladies All Ireland Junior Football Champions. The Office also liaised with other sections to host visiting Government Ministers. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche TD. visited many of our group schemes in July 2006 and officiated at the signing of the contract for Sligo Main Drainage in September 2006. Sligo County Council also hosted a working group of the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport & Communications in February 2006.

STAY IN TOUCH

To register for news and information updates from the Sligo Local Authorities, visit www.sligococo.ie, e-mail communications@sligococo.ie or phone 071 9111016

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI)

• Number of requests received 2006: 21
• Number of requests granted: 13
• Number of requests part granted: 1
• Number of requests refused: 1
• Number of requests withdrawn and handled outside FOI: 4
• Number of Internal Reviews: 4
• Number of Appeals to the Information Commissioner: 0

DISABILITY

Sligo County Council is committed to providing universal access for all.  The Government launched the National Disability Strategy in 2004 to underpin the participation of people with disabilities in society. The Strategy builds on existing policy and legislation, from the Barcelona Declaration to the Equality & Employment Laws, and reinforces the Government’s commitment to social inclusion for people with disabilities. It is a framework
of positive action measures to mainstream service provision for people with disabilities within the state agencies. The Strategy and the recently enacted Disability Act have placed significant responsibilities on local authorities to ensure that ‘access barriers’ are removed and a more integrated approach to accessing services and facilities is provided.

During 2006, Sligo County Council has embraced the challenge presented to it and this process is evolving. The Council is continually striving to improve integrated access to information, services, training, employment and the built environment for all its customers. The Council works in partnership with local disability groups to achieve best practice in service provision. A process of consultation and disability awareness is on-going within the organisation, through partnership and training.

Summary of 2006 activities (Disability)

• Following the completion of access audits on 20 buildings and 3 harbour/beach areas, work is on-going to address any short comings identified in the audit reports which will improve access to buildings in the ownership of Sligo Local Authorities. Works were carried out in County Hall, City Hall, County Library, Market Yard Offices and on Mullaghmore Pier.
• An access audit was carried out on the new Inner Relief Road.
• The Sligo County Council website was up-graded to AA standard in consultation with members of the disability sector.
• During 2006, further disability awareness training was provided for staff. An evaluation report was commissioned to determine the impact
  of this training and to identify further training needs. A training programme will be put in place for 2007 to target the requirements of specific staff groupings.
• In October 2006, Sligo Local Authorities participated in a conference entitled “Sligo Access Conference” which was organised by the Disability Federation of Ireland. The Director of Services for Housing, Corporate and Emergency services addressed the Conference on behalf of Sligo Local Authorities.
• The Disability Consultative Committee forum is working well and regular meetings took place during 2006. A sub-group of the Committee was established. The role of this group is to focus on communications / information services within Sligo Local Authorities and to find ways in which access to our information and publications can be made accessible for all.
• The Communications Department commenced producing publications in accessible formats, and during 2007 it is intended to extend the range of publications and formats available in consultation with the disability sector.
• The weekly roads report compiled by the Council considered people with disabilities and the impact roadworks / footpath repairs might have on them. Works which include obstructions to footpaths or that require alternative access arrangements are now reported to the public.
• Sligo County Council has applied to the National Disability Authority for the ‘Excellence through Accessibility Award’.  Achievement of this award will further enhance and progress the Council’s objective of providing universal access for all.
• During 2006, the Planning Department introduced a new planning condition for inclusion on certain planning permissions. This condition requires the developer to submit detailed drawings and specifications for the development which will cater for people with disabilities, in compliance with Part M.
• The Library Service continued to improve on the range of services and facilities available to people with disabilities. The staff has set up an inhouse group to focus on disability issues within the library services.