Dorothy Clarke, Director of Corporate, Housing & Emergency Services sees the delivery of Sligo County Council’s Housing Programme as a major objective for 2007

Sligo County Council has an obligation as a Housing Authority to deliver a Social and Affordable Housing Capital Programme to meet the needs of those on the housing list who are not in a position to provide adequate and suitable accommodation from their own resources.

In 2007 Sligo County Council’s Housing Programme will see the completion of 56 houses, with schemes being provided in Ballintogher, Riverstown, Tubbercurry, Ballymote, Coolaney and Grange.

Significant progress has taken place in the implementation of the Social & Affordable Housing Action Plan for Sligo Local Authorities since its adoption in 2004. In June 2006 we undertook a mid term review of our plan and are pleased to confirm the targets set out at the beginning of the plan have been achieved, and indeed, exceeded in some instances.

For 2007, the Housing Department will continue to progress with the provision of Social & Affordable housing in the county while also improving the existing housing stock and promoting better Estate Management.

For the next three years we propose to implement a programme of works for the improvement and environmental enhancement of the Council’s housing estates. An Estate Environmental Improvement Plan has now been put in place and will transform and visibly improve the look of our estates over the next three years.

Fire & Emergency Services

Sligo Fire Service has been active in the implementation of the Fire Service Change Programme throughout Sligo in 2006. Along with the continuation of this in 2007, Sligo Fire Service will make provisions for the planning and development of the Framework for Major Emergency Management in Sligo over the next two years.

Now that the site for a new Fire Station in Ballymote has been secured progress will be made on advancing the plans for and the construction of this new Fire Station. Temporary accommodation to house the fire service in the interim while construction is ongoing has now been arranged.

Sligo Library Service Sligo County Council recently adopted a five year Library Development Plan 2006-2010 and will begin implementing this Plan in 2007. At the heart of the Library service is the desire to promote and foster reading for all. To this end the Library service in 2007 will implement a programme of increased opening hours in the Central Library in Sligo to include one late evening, and also to increase opening hours in Ballymote branch library. In addition, the Library service will continue to expand the reader development programme through increasing the number of book clubs and through partnerships with the Arts Department and Adult Literacy Officer for Sligo.

Major projects which will be progressed in 2007 include the planning and development of a new Library Service as well as a new Museum and an extension to the Model & Niland Gallery.

Communications

Sligo Local Authorities are continually reviewing the way in which information is presented and relayed to the general public. News and information is conveyed through a variety of means - website, features in print and broadcast media, quarterly magazine, monthly e-newsletter and diary of events, reports, brochures and public notices.

In 2007, the Communications Office will work with the I.T. Section to explore new ways of conveying information to the public - for instance a ‘targeted news service’ is being developed for delivery in early 2007, which will provide up to date traffic/roads information for motorists.The Communications Office will also work in partnership with the disability sector to deliver information in accessible formats.

Civil Defence

Sligo Civil Defence attended 52 events during 2006 and in 2007 will continue its efforts to attract and train volunteers in the various disciplines. It proposes to work in partnership with the newly established Sligo Volunteer Bureau to ensure the role of the volunteer is supported and enhanced.

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