Kildare County Council Comhairle Contae Chill Dara Report of the Chief Executive - Kfm
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Kildare County Council
Comhairle Contae Chill Dara
Report of the Chief Executive
Introduction
In accordance with Section 102 of the Local Government Act, 2001 as amended, the
Draft Budget has been prepared showing the amounts estimated, as necessary, to
meet the expenses and provide for the liabilities and requirements of Kildare County
Council during the financial year ending 31st December 2020. A copy of this Draft
Budget in the prescribed form, together with explanatory and comparative
statements of the figures is enclosed.
The statutory budget meeting has been fixed for Monday, 18th November 2019 at
2.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Section 103 of the Local Government Act, 2001,
as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, provides that the budget
must be adopted within a period of 14 days from the date of the statutory budget
meeting. Accordingly the budget must be adopted no later than 2 nd December 2019.
Brexit is the most immediate risk to the national economy, and the decisions taken in
preparing this budget have been influenced by the impact Brexit may have on both
the business community in Kildare, but also the wider effects it is likely to have on
the citizens of Kildare. However, Brexit is not the only immediate challenge – climate
change and its effects on all of our futures is the most urgent and long term threat
that needs to be addressed. Whilst for real and significant impact on climate change
to be made requires national and international measures to be agreed, it is important
that as the lead authority in the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office
that we show tangible commitment within Kildare’s finances to both climate change
and energy efficiency measures.
Effects of Current Economic Climate
The Irish economy continues to grow – this growth is underpinned by a buoyant
domestic economy activity and strong growth in exports, although it is notable that
increases in exports has been concentrated in a small number of sectors dominated
by multinational firms. The Central Bank has advised that this positive economic
performance continues to be supported by a broad-based increase in employment,
which is driving an increase in incomes and supporting a modest growth of
consumer spending.
Whilst the current forecasts are favourable there is still uncertainty about the external
environment, both in relation to Brexit and broader risks, given the sensitivity of our
small, highly open economy to international shocks. In particular, the state of global
1economic and trading conditions and the configuration of major exchange rates are
important determinants of Irish economic performance given the dominant role of
global firms in our trade sector. Shifts in international trade and tax regimes could
adversely affect Irish businesses, while a disordered Brexit would pose challenges
for the Irish economy and financial system in both the short and medium term.
Given these risks, budgetary prudence dictates that any financial planning not
amplify any over-heating risks whilst maintaining financial resilience;- financial
resilience is enhanced if buffers are built up, when possible, to assist organisations
to cope with sudden economic shocks.
Climate Action
One of the most significant challenges facing Ireland over the coming years is the
commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gases as part of the Climate Action
Plan. Local Authorities have a key role to play and Kildare County Council have
demonstrated leadership in this regard by signing the EU Covenant of Mayors for
Climate & Energy in September, which requires significant actions and investment by
the Council into the future.
Furthermore, Kildare County Council signed the Climate Action Charter which
includes commitment to decarbonising new activities, pursuing sustainable
development and building climate resilience into every aspect of the work we do.
In 2020 Kildare County Council will commence a multi-annual programme of actions
which will include major improvements in energy efficiency, prioritising climate
considerations in development planning, furthering the use of green procurement
options and the carbon proofing of all major fiscal decisions.
To assist in progressing this venture I have provided for a Climate Action Awareness
Officer, together with funding of €50,000 to enable actions be progressed.
Within the core areas of business Kildare County Council will expend approximately
€ 3.2m (2%) directly on climate action related activities from the Revenue Budget,
with a further €143m (33%) over 3 years on climate action related projects in the
Capital Programme.
2Local Government Reform
Kildare County Council actively continues to implement the reform programmes for
local government as set out in the Government’s Action Programme for Effective
Local Government, Putting People First. The main changes in local government
structures, including the system of municipal districts, replacing the town councils are
well embedded at this stage and are operating effectively.
Kildare County Council has five municipal districts and 40 members:
Athy Municipal District - 5 members
Celbridge/Leixlip Municipal District - 7 members
Kildare/Newbridge Municipal District - 11 members
Clane/Maynooth Municipal District - 10 members
Naas Municipal District - 7 members
The municipal district committees are serviced by the Members Services Team. The
alignment of engineering areas to further enhance and strengthen the delivery of
service to the Members and the public was completed in early 2015. These
alignments will, from 2020, reflect the revised municipal district boundaries.
The implementation of local government reform programme is ongoing and
significant progress has been achieved, with, inter alia, the
Successful operation of a Local Community Development Committee;
Development of a Local Economic and Community Plan;
Establishment of a Public Participation Network;
Implementation of a Customer Services Relationship Management System
(CRM);
Interaction with NOAC (National Oversight and Audit Commission) to review
Kildare County Councils performance indicators;
Compliance with completion, submission and publication of Public Spending
Code report for NOAC.
3Wider Public Service Reform
Kildare County Council, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure
and Reform (DPER) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA)
continues to implement the key objectives set out in Our Public Service 2020. This a
national policy framework which established the overall strategy for development and
innovation in the public service to 2020 and beyond.
The framework is built on three key pillars within which there are eighteen headline
actions:
4Rates
The Valuation Office completed a revaluation of all commercial industrial properties
in the Kildare County Council rating area in 2017. The new valuations came into
effect for 2018. Kildare County Council has outstanding decisions due on several
appeals and is also experiencing delays in new properties being valued which is
having an impact on this year’s Budget.
Kildare County has approximately 5,044 properties generating a total rates income in
the region of €61.6 million. Of this total 86% pay less than €10,000 per annum, 71%
pay less than €5,000 per annum, 55% pay less than €3,000 per annum and 36% pay
less than €2,000 per annum. The top 14% of properties produce 79% of our rates
income (see Table 1)
Annual Bill € Number % Average Bill % of total
€ Rates Income
>50,001 123 2.44% 295,691 59%
10,001 – 582 11.54% 21,276 20%
50,000
5,001 – 10,000 743 14.74% 6,199 8.4%
3,001 - 5,000 837 16.59% 4,326 5.2%
2,001 – 3,000 952 18.87% 2,441 3.8%Local Government Rates & Other Matters Act 2019
The Local Government Rates & Other Matters Act 2019 was passed by the
Oireachtas and enacted on 11 July 2019. The overarching purpose of the Act is to
modernize the collection of commercial rates. The important elements of the Act
include: a modernisation of rates legislation and practice; provision that newly
valued properties and amendments to valuations become effective immediately; pro-
rata levying of rates on occupiers based on period of occupation within a year; the
potential application of interest payments on unpaid rates and the minimum charges
for vacant commercial premises. All Local Authorities are awaiting clarification from
the Department before this legislation commences.
Other Income
Approximately 69% of our income comes from local sources and 31% from the
exchequer. We are focused on maximising our collection levels, but do so in the
knowledge that all business and domestic customers are affected by the
uncertainties in the current economic climate. Every effort is made to work with our
ratepayers, tenants, and mortgage holders who are in difficulty. This is a particularly
complex area, and it is most beneficial to all concerned that meaningful engagement
takes place at an early stage.
2020 Est Sources of Income
(net of rates adj)
Goods &
Services
23% Rates, net of
rates adj
Rates, net of rates adj
35%
Specific LPT
Grants LPT Specific Grants
31% 11% Goods & Services
Graph 1 – Sources of Income
6Local Property Tax
Local Property Tax was introduced as a tax on residential property and a method of
providing sustainable funding for local government. An annual self-assessed Local
Property Tax (LPT) charged on the market value of all residential properties in the
State came into effect with the passing of “The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act
2012”. It is being administered and the tax collected by the Revenue Commissioners.
Funds retained are included in the General Municipal Allocation, and each year the
Municipal Districts agree and control the expenditure on projects of their choosing
that they believe benefit their MD. Since 2015 retained LPT was spent in a number
of areas, based on local priorities, including:
Roads/Footpath & Traffic Improvements
Community Grants
Recreation & Amenity
Tidy Towns/Economic Development
Taking in Charge
The Members of Kildare County Council passed a resolution at its meeting on
September 23rd 2019 to increase the base rate of local property tax for 2020 by
7.5%.
For 2020 the Members retain €4,889,280 of local property tax to fund projects in the
municipal districts. This amount is included as the General Municipal Allocation in
Section H0909 and will be used to fund the projects agreed by the Municipal
Districts.
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DoHPLG) has notified
Kildare County Council of a local property tax allocation of €19,013,868 for 2020.
The local property tax allocation replaces the local government fund allocation. As
the local property tax allocation exceeds the local government allocation for 2014,
Kildare County Council is required to self-fund €1,282,291 of services in the Housing
area.
Local Government Fund / LPT
20,000,000
18,000,000
16,000,000
14,000,000
12,000,000
10,000,000
8,000,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Graph 2 - Local Government Fund / LPT
7Expenditure
2020 Estimated Expenditure by Division
excl Rates adjustment
1%
7% Div A - Housing & Building
7% Div B - Road Transport & Safety
30% Div C - Water Supply & Sewerage
13% Div D - Development Management
Div E - Environmental Protection
Div F - Recreation & Amenity
12% Div G - Agriculture & Education
Div H - Miscellaneous Services
7% 23%
Graph 3 - Pie chart of gross expenditure by division
The Budget provides for a gross expenditure of €164 million.
This is a significant level of expenditure and it is clearly important to ensure best
value for money, while taking into consideration the social and community
development component of the Council’s work. Close monitoring and management
of budgets will remain a priority for 2020. A specialist Procurement Officer was
appointed in 2018 to assist sections in ensuring that proper public procurement
protocols are adhered to, demonstrating Kildare’s commitment to achieving value for
money and following best practice.
Gross Expenditure 2016-2020 €m
(excl Rates adjustment)
180.0
160.0
11.4
1.2
140.0 10.0
1.2
9.5
1.2
11.1
9.7
6.7 1.3
10.9 11.1 Div H - Miscellaneous Services
19.89
120.0 1.9
10.4
10.3
Div G - Agriculture & Education
25.56 19.65
25.21 19.1 Div F - Recreation & Amenity
100.0 21.8
17.8
17.7 10.2 Div E - Environmental Protection
15.7
80.0 12.8
10.0
9.9
Div D - Development Management
10.4
11.8 36.5 Div C - Water Supply & Sewerage
60.0 35.5
33.8 Div B - Road Transport & Safety
31.7
30.3
40.0 Div A - Housing & Building
47.9
20.0 30.0 32.4 36.9 39.7
0.0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Graph 4 - Bar chart of expenditure year on year
8Other Relevant Factors
Equality & Inclusivity
Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 places a
positive duty on public sector bodies to have regard to the need to eliminate
discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights, in their daily work.
Section 42 states that:
42. (1) A public body shall, in the performance of its functions, have regard to the
need to:
Eliminate discrimination,
Promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to
whom it provides services, and
Protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it
provides services.
Kildare County Council aims to protect expenditure in areas that have a direct impact
on vulnerable groups and is always cognisant of the impact of budget decisions on
the most vulnerable in our society. In preparing strategic plans, public sector bodies
must assess and identify the human rights and equality issues that are relevant to
their functions (these issues must relate to all of its functions as policy maker,
employer and service provider), so Council and SPC’s are reminded to ensure they
equality-proof existing and future policy measures with particular reference to the
nine grounds of the Equal Status Acts (gender, civil status, family status, age, race,
religion, disability, sexual orientation, membership of the traveller community) and
socio-economic status. Where there are financial implications to new/revised policies
they automatically feed into the budget process through the relevant directorate.
Inclusion and access for all Kildare’s citizens is core to the service provision of all
departments. In preparing Budget 2020 examples of disability and equality supports
that the council included are:
Free Home Fire Safety Checks for older people and vulnerable groups;
Library service now completely free, removing all barriers to access and use;
Development of Universal Design and Accessibility Policy;
Make Way Day, held on the 26th September in 2019, to raise awareness
around daily obstacles that disabled people encounter going about their day;
Housing's disabled persons grants;
Allocation of houses in accordance with the Council's Strategic Plan for
Housing People with Disabilities;
Shop Front Grant Scheme, which from 2019 includes accessibility works;
12 performances of Sing Me to the Sea which were presented at the hydro-
pool, Enable Ireland, Naas by Riverbank Arts Centre;
The Arts in Health programme;
Community's training for sports inclusiveness (and disabilities);
9 Heritage and Community grants for a wide variety of groups, including Irish
Wheelchair Association, Hangout Club, Mens’ Sheds, etc;
Work placement supports for special needs in association with KARE and
others;
Community supports for local authority housing tenants;
Community Age Friendly Programme;
Educational Bursary for the Disabled;
Libraries’ Toys, Technology and Training (TTT) programme.
Rebuilding Ireland
Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published in July
2016, comprises five pillars of actions - addressing homelessness, accelerating
social housing, building more homes, improving the rental sector and utilising
existing housing.
In order to achieve the targets for social housing delivery under Rebuilding Ireland,
housing units in Kildare are being delivered through the Social Housing Investment
Programme including construction, acquisition, Part V acquisition, Capital Assistance
Scheme and return of voids, and the Social Housing Current Expenditure
Programme including Rental Accommodation Scheme, Housing Assistance
Payment, social leasing and the enhanced leasing scheme.
Homelessness:
Addressing the challenges of homelessness requires a cross Government response:
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government's role in relation
to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy,
legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing
homelessness at local level.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless
accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
The Health Service Executive (HSE), Tusla and The Department of
Employment Affairs and Social Protection are also responsible for the
provision of services and supports in this demanding area.
Kildare County Council’s Homelessness Service offers advice and information to
those at risk of homelessness and assists those who have become homeless to
source alternative accommodation, with the assistance of the Housing Assistance
Payment where appropriate. The Homeless HAP Placefinder liaises with the HAP
team, landlords and housing applicants in emergency accommodation or in
immediate danger of experiencing homelessness with a view to securing tenancies
to help them exit homelessness. In response to the increasing number of families
and individuals becoming homeless, the council will continue its partnership
approach with key homelessness agencies to improve co-ordination and increase
supports available to those at risk of homelessness.
10Kildare County Council acts as lead agency for the Regional Homeless Forum in the
Mid-East-Region and continues to host the HAT (Housing Action Team) which
provides a forum for the various agencies to review and implement decisions and
actions regarding homelessness within the county.
Economic Development
Kildare County Council’s aim is to encourage and facilitate business development
and growth in County Kildare.
The role of the Enterprise & Economic Development Unit is to promote economic
development and create a positive environment for job creation in County Kildare,
the unit incorporates the Local Enterprise office a ‘first stop shop’ point of contact
for existing and prospective businesses.
One of the primary objectives of Kildare County Council is to attract, retain and grow
businesses to help build a strong and sustainable local economy. The Enterprise &
Economic Development Unit fosters a pro-business culture which supports
enterprise and promotes Kildare nationally and globally as a location of choice for
business and investment. Whether a business is relocating or expanding, or where
an entrepreneur is starting a new enterprise, the Enterprise & Economic
Development Unit is available to effectively guide and facilitate them through their
journey.
Economic Forum
In October 2017 the Economic Forum had its inaugural meeting. The Forum is
Chaired by Mr. Pádraig McManus and comprises key stakeholders from the IDA,
Enterprise Ireland, County Kildare Chamber of Commerce, Maynooth University and
leaders of Industry that are based in Kildare. The Forum is supported by the Chief
Executive, the Director of Services for Economic Development and the Head of
Enterprise. The work of the Forum is ongoing but it is planned to bring the Draft
Economic Strategy for the County to the Economic Development and Planning SPC
in early 2020.
11Project Ireland 2040
National Planning Framework (NPF): The National Planning Framework was
approved by Government in May 2018.
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES): The draft RSES and its
accompanying Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) were prepared during 2018
and the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly adopted its RSES on June 28,
2019.
Project Ireland 2040 is the government’s long-term overarching strategy to provide
investment in public infrastructure by enhancing regional connectivity and
competitiveness and improving environmental sustainability. As a key part of Project
Ireland 2040 - the Government’s National Planning Framework and National
Development Plan the Government announced details of a €2billion urban (URDF)
and a €1billion rural (RRDF) regeneration fund. These funds are intended to drive
regeneration and rejuvenation, and to support strategic investment in Ireland’s
economy for the benefit of all citizens.
7 applications were made to the URDF with the following 4 applications being
successful;
URBAN
TOWN CAT PROJECT URDF Match
funding funding
sought € amount €
Celbridge B Celbridge Relief Road and Second Liffey 400,000 100,000
Crossing
Naas B Canal Quarter/Abbey Street 195,000 65,000
Naas A Town Hall - new library and cultural 4,445,243 1,481,748
centre
Newbridge B Town centre, creation of a Cultural 492,309 164,103
Quarter
12 applications were made to the RRDF with the following 3 being successful.
RURAL
TOWN CAT PROJECT RRDF Match
funding funding
sought € amount €
Athy 2 Former Dominican lands: detailed 80,000 20,000
Masterplan
Athy 1 Emily Square: upgrade works & 2,707,500 902,500
Shackleton Museum
Monasterevin 2 Public realm enhancements 78,000 26,400
In the most recent call for “Shovel Ready” Category 1 applications to the RRDF,
Kildare has also submitted an application for the Barrow Blueway - A decision is due
to be made on this application in November.
12Public Realm
The multi-disciplinary Strategic Projects & Public Realm Team was established in
2019 with the assistance and support of the Elected Members and Management
Team.
Kildare County Council is now operating within a very competitive funding
environment nationally. The Strategic Projects & Public Realm Team has and will
continue to increase Kildare County Council’s positioning and “market share” of
funding, delivering not only on the submission of competitive funding bids but also
the design and roll out of strategic and innovative projects across the County.
The work of this team is of meaningful and measurable benefit to the social and
economic well being of our towns and villages. Through collaboration with
communities and businesses the Team work in partnership to create attractive,
vibrant, accessible, and economically strong town and village centres where people
want to live, work, visit and stay. The Team has commenced an exciting programme
of work in 2019 with a number of transformative projects underway. The Strategic
Projects & Public Realm Team's progress will build and grow in 2020 with the
Members’ continued support.
Town and Village Renewal
The Public Realm Team made a number of applications under the Town and Village
Renewal Scheme to the Department of Rural and Community Development. Of
those submitted, 4 have been successful as listed below.
Kildare Kildangan Repair and improve access to €92,164.00
Kildangan Village Hall.
Kildare Kilcock Enhance Kilcock town gateways on €100,000.00
four principal approach roads.
Kildare Prosperous Enhance Prosperous town gateways €100,000.00
on three principal approach roads.
Kildare Ballitore Engage consultants to assess and €20,000.00
draft a restoration plan for the
second Tanyard building.
Kildare Total €312,164.00
Unfortunately, applications which sought funding to carry out healthchecks and
develop associated town renewal plans were all unsuccessful.
Infrastructure Improvement
Kildare continues to grow and the census figures indicate growth in population from
213,000 in 2011 to 222,000 in 2016. This level of population growth requires
investment in both physical and social infrastructure.
13Kildare County Council continues to provide positive leadership in the county through
the provision of enabling infrastructure and through the strategic partnerships
established with other agencies and the business community.
Major enabling infrastructural developments either underway or progressing through
the various stages of planning include:
M7 upgrade and road-widening,
Sallins ByPass and Osberstown Interchange,
Athy Southern Distributor Road,
Expansion of Leixlip Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Expansion of Osberstown Waste Water Treatment Plant
Maynooth Eastern Ring Road
Phase I of Newbridge Outer Relief Road
Strategic Policy Committees
Strategic Policy Committees are designed to strengthen the policy development role
of the members. In Kildare each Strategic Policy Committee has a Director of
Services assigned to service the committee.
The process of drafting and adopting a new Strategic Policy Committee Scheme
2019 - 2024 is underway. Heretofore there have been 5 SPCs;- the current draft
scheme provides for an additional SPC for Climate Action. When the scheme is
adopted by the elected members the appointment of nominees to the various SPCs
can take place.
Section reports
The following pages set out in detail the Council’s proposals for expenditure and
income together with particulars of Capital Expenditure under the various Divisions.
The various Section Heads have prepared these reports.
14Division A - Housing and Building
Key Indicators
Total Division Expenditure 2020 €47,923,621
Housing Stock 4,084
Rental Accommodation Scheme Units 443
Social Housing Leasing Initiative Units 731
Housing Assistance Payment Units 2,118
Housing and Building
60,000,000
50,000,000
40,000,000
Expenditure
30,000,000 Income
20,000,000
10,000,000
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
The Housing Department aims to provide appropriate social housing support to
people who are unable to meet their housing need through their own resources.
Demand for social housing services is significant, and activity and budgetary
requirements in this area have increased over the past number of years.
Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, was published in
July 2016. The five pillars of the Plan are: (1) Address Homelessness, (2)
Accelerate Social Housing, (3) Build More Homes, (4) Improve the Rental Sector and
(5) Utilise Existing Housing. The core action of the plan is to ramp up supply and
delivery of housing in all tenures; social, private and rental.
In order to achieve the targets for social housing delivery under Rebuilding Ireland,
housing units will be delivered through the Social Housing Investment Programme
including construction, acquisition, Part V acquisition, Capital Assistance Scheme
and return of voids, and the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme
including Rental Accommodation Scheme, Housing Assistance Payment, social
leasing and the enhanced leasing scheme.
15The ‘Buy and Renew’ and ‘Repair and Leasing’ schemes, introduced in 2017,
continue to be available to owners of vacant properties to encourage reuse and
supply of additional social housing units through both acquisition and leasing.
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP)
Social Leasing
The council is working closely with a number of approved housing bodies who wish
to either lease or purchase existing properties or turn-key units. Leased units are
supported through payment and availability agreements. The purchase of units by
approved housing bodies is facilitated through the Capital Advance Loan Facility.
These schemes ensure long-term security of tenure for applicants and the viability of
this sector to the social housing market. The council is also involved in the direct
leasing of properties from private owners. The total number of leased units
supported by Kildare County Council is 731 and it is anticipated that this number will
increase in 2020. The council is committed to working closely with the approved
housing body sector on all aspects of social housing and will continue to ensure that
issues of compliance and governance are monitored.
Housing Assistance Payment
The total number of active Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenancies in 2019 is
2,118. It is anticipated that approximately 728 households will sign up to the scheme
in 2020. HAP allows qualified social housing applicants source their own
accommodation in the private rented sector and a payment is made to the landlord
on their behalf. In turn recipients of the scheme pay differential rent based on their
income. Payments for the HAP scheme are administered nationally through the
HAP Shared Services Centre Limerick.
Rental Accommodation Scheme
Through the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Kildare County Council provides
private rented accommodation, in conjunction with private landlords, to qualified
social housing applicants. At present there are 443 properties in the scheme. Due
to increased pressure in the rental market the number of properties in the scheme is
reducing, however Housing are continuing to engage with landlords to
renegotiate/renew contracts and have purchased 38 RAS properties during the past
year that were subject to termination notices. Landlords who exit the RAS scheme
may choose to rent their property through social leasing or the HAP scheme.
Private Rented Inspections
The council is committed to ensuring that private rented property in the county is in
compliance with the 2017 minimum rental standards and will continue a programme
of inspections in this sector. In recognition of the need to increase the number of
private rental inspections, the council has established an in-house unit to carry out
inspections, this work is supplemented by inspections carried out by the HSE
Environmental Health Officers. Targets for private rental inspections have been set
by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government for each local
authority.
16Local Authority Housing Maintenance
Kildare County Council is responsible for the maintenance and upgrading of all
housing units owned or leased by the local authority. The three key areas of
expenditure within the department for the year ahead will be:
Response Maintenance
General Maintenance of pre-lets, and
Planned fabric upgrade of older houses.
In 2020, the Housing Maintenance team will continue to focus on pre-letting repairs
for general vacants and New House Purchases (NHP’s). In 2019, 112 general
vacants and 104 NHP’s were refurbished, and this is expected to rise by
approximately 10% to 240 by year-end 2019. It is expected that this figure will stay
the same for 2020.
It is planned to continue with fabric upgrades (windows and doors, energy, heating
systems etc) of older houses which should result in increasing the energy efficiency
of the housing stock both in the short and long term. These works are subject to
availability of funding both through general revenue and through grant aided funding
from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Response Maintenance remains an area of high demand for front-line services and
budgets in Housing. Based on current figures, approximately 6,000 calls will be
received during 2019. Due to the steady increase in housing stock, it is anticipated
that the level of demand will continue in 2020.
The “Tenant Handbook” published in 2018 explains clearly to tenants their
responsibilities as well as the Council's, and this should assist in reducing the
number of repair calls being received. The handbook also gives helpful advice in
relation to safety in the home, carrying out improvements in the home, getting on
with neighbours and useful information about the Council.
In 2019 work has been undertaken to utilise iHouse more efficiently, the work
undertaken in this area allows for improved management of new and vacant housing
stock.
In 2019 the Tenant Support Scheme, whereby tenants receive up to 90% or €2,500
towards the cost of the works, will assist 77 tenants to carry out improvement works
to their homes. It is proposed to continue with this scheme in 2020, subject to the
approval of the Members.
Homelessness Services
Kildare County Council’s Homelessness Service offers advice and information to
those at risk of homelessness and assists those who have become homeless to
source alternative accommodation, with the assistance of the Housing Assistance
Payment and the Homeless Housing Assistance Payment where appropriate. The
Homeless HAP Placefinder liaises with the HAP team, landlords and housing
applicants in emergency accommodation or in immediate danger of experiencing
homelessness, with a view to securing tenancies to help them exit homelessness. In
response to the increasing number of families and individuals becoming homeless,
the council will continue its partnership approach with key homelessness agencies to
17improve co-ordination and increase supports available to those at risk of
homelessness.
Kildare County Council acts as lead agency for the Regional Homeless Forum in the
Mid-East-Region and continues to host the Housing Action Team (HAT) which
provides a forum for the various agencies to review and implement decisions and
actions regarding homelessness within the county.
In regards to accommodation for the homeless, initiatives during the past 12 months
include the Kerdiffstown Facility in Naas, the extension to Michael Garry House in
Newbridge, the extension of the family hub in Athy and the provision of a family hub
in Prosperous.
The Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021 was launched in 2018.
The publication of this Plan marked a significant milestone underpinning the
Government’s commitment to reduce and eliminate rough sleeping and long-term
homelessness. Kildare County Council, on behalf of the Mid-East Region [Kildare,
Meath, Wicklow], advertised on eTenders for the provision of a Housing First Service
in all three counties and The Peter McVerry Trust were awarded the contract in
September 2019 with a start date of October 2019. Targets have been set for each
local authority for the next three years, with the target for Kildare over this period
being 31.
Estate Management
Kildare County Council manages its’ estates having regard to a range of factors, in
particular difficulties arising from anti-social behaviour. Four Tenant Liaison Officers
(TLO’s) are currently employed to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour and
take appropriate action, with additional resources provided for in this budget for
2020. The TLO’s also work with the various residents’ associations within the local
authority estates to ensure improved provision of good estate management. Pre-
tenancy information sessions are held for tenants of new housing developments at
which tenants are encouraged to play an active role in the development and upkeep
of their estate.
Vacant Homes
Under the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and
Homelessness, local authorities were tasked with identifying vacant properties and
bringing them into use, where possible, for social housing.
The Vacant Homes Officer has commenced the work of researching and identifying
vacant homes in the county which may be suitable for social housing. This work
involves:
An initial vacancy assessment exercise
Identification of the registered owners of the properties deemed to be vacant
from the initial assessment.
Contacting owners or financial institutions to outline the options available to
assist in bringing a property back into use for private or social housing
purposes and commence the C.P.O. process if appropriate.
18Housing Adaptation/Mobility Aids/Housing Aid Grants
Local Authority units continue to be upgraded through the Housing Adaptation Grant
for people with a disability scheme. Expenditure, within this scheme, on Kildare
County Council owned properties, is 90% recoupable from the Department of
Housing, Planning and Local Government, with grants to privately owned properties
attracting recoupment of 80%. Expenditure of over €3 million has again been
provided within this budget.
Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan
In 2018 the elected members of Kildare County Council approved a loan facility of up
to €15 million for Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans. In 2019 the Department of
Housing, Planning and Local Government indicated their approval to increase this
loan facility to €21 million. Pending approval by elected members this funding will be
utilised into 2020 to continue the rollout of the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan
scheme.
Traveller Accommodation
Kildare County Council manages three halting sites in the county and employs two
social workers. The Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee meets
four times a year. Implementation of the Traveller Accommodation Programme is the
primary focus of activity for this committee. In 2019 a new Traveller Accommodation
Programme was adopted by the members. Revenue budgets are in place to support
the management and maintenance of the sites and assist Traveller families secure
high quality residential mobile homes.
19Capital Delivery
The Rebuilding Ireland target for Kildare was determined by the Department of
Housing, Planning and Local Government at 2,426 units for the period 2018-2021.
The 2018 target was set at 1,102 and was exceed as per table 1.
Table 1:
Build Acquisition Leasing HAP & RAS Total
Target 217 82 75 728 1102
Achieved 234 232 24 712 1202
The 2019 target, which includes schemes being provided by Approved Housing
Bodies, is 1,269 units as set out in table 2. It is expected that a revised target will be
determined early in 2020.
Table 2:
Build Acquisition Leasing HAP & RAS Total
Target 363 96 88 722 1269
House Building Programme
Kildare County Council has an extensive house building and remedial works
programme which will result in the construction of up to 380 houses on sites
currently identified across the county and the remedial works scheme for St. Patricks
Park, Rathangan. Two housing schemes have been completed; The Paddocks,
Kilcock (19 units) and Athgarvan Road, Newbridge (13 units). There are currently
three schemes under construction, Dunmurray Rise, Kildare Town, (32 units), Anne
Street, Prosperous (12 units) and Beechgrove, Rathangan (18 units). Delivery for
Dunmurray Rise is expected by the end of October 2019 with the delivery of the units
in Anne Street and Beechgrove expected at the start of 2020. 34 units have been
refurbished in St. Patrick’s Park Rathangan under Phase 1 of the Scheme. The
Planning process has been completed for two other schemes - Athgarvan Village
and Coill Dubh. In addition, Kildare County Council is working with Approved
Housing Bodies for the construction of 120 units on Kildare County Council lands.
All new social housing, where a Part VIII has been published after 31 October 2019
and where the dwelling is not substantially complete before 31 October 2020, will
comply with Near Zero Energy Building [NZEB] requirements.
20Public Private Partnership Delivery
Kildare County Council is working in partnership with the National Treasury
Management Agency and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local
Government to deliver 74 houses at Craddockstown, Naas and 77 houses at
Nancy’s Lane, Clane. Comhar consortium were selected as the preferred tenderer
for Craddockstown and they commenced on site in March 2019. It is expected that
construction will be completed in April 2020. Nancy’s Lane, Clane is in tranche 2
and this scheme is expected to commence early in 2020.
Acquisitions
Kildare County Council purchases units, where appropriate, that are available for
sale on the open market. A number of units are purchased to prevent or alleviate
homelessness. We work in co-operation with the Housing Agency to purchase units
which are made available to them through bank portfolio sales, or which may be
vacant. Kildare County Council also advertised for expressions of interest from
private entities to deliver constructed dwellings in suitable locations and a number of
groups of dwellings are being delivered in this format. 115 turnkey properties have
been delivered to date.
Part V
In accordance with the revised Part V Scheme 2015, the Housing Department deals
with planning applicants at a pre-planning and post-planning stage to ensure that
Part V negotiations are concluded which result in the delivery of additional housing
units, these units will be managed either by Kildare County Council or a nominated
Approved Housing Body. Since 2016, 157 Part V units have been delivered.
Capital Assistance Scheme
Kildare County Council works with Approved Housing Bodies to deliver social
housing units to families and individuals with special housing needs. Approved
projects include acquisitions, construction and extensions. 61 properties have been
acquired since 2017 and an additional 14 bed spaces provided for persons with
special housing needs.
Rebuilding Ireland Land Map
A number of sites in Kildare have been identified in the Rebuilding Ireland Land Map.
Strategic Development and Management Plans are being put in place for the
development of lands identified on this map which will lead to an increase in the
number of dwellings under construction.
Purchase of Sites
In order to expand the construction programme to meet revised targets under
Rebuilding Ireland Kildare County Council will need to acquire lands for development
purposes. Three sites have been purchased since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland
which should realise in excess of 100 housing units.
21Division B - Roads and Transportation
Key Indicators
Total Division Expenditure 2020 €36,592,223
Number of Kilometres of Roads 2,528
Number of Kilometres of Regional & Local Roads 2,371
Number of Public Lights Maintained 28,000
Road Transport and Safety
40,000,000
35,000,000
30,000,000
25,000,000
Expenditure
20,000,000 Income
15,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Road Infrastructural Development
County Kildare has approximately 2,528 km of public road infrastructure as set out
by category below.
County Kildare Public Roads Schedule
Motorway 128 km
National Primary 12 km
National Secondary 17 km
Regional 482 km
Local Roads (Total) 1,889 km
Local Primary 355
Local Secondary 1,040
Local Tertiary 494
Total 2,528 km
22Highlights of Activity within the Roads and Transportation in 2019
Annual Road Improvement and Restoration Programme for the regional
and local road network delivered across the 2,500km network of roads
New and replacement footpaths provided throughout the County
Signalised crossings and CCTV provided to assist vulnerable road users
and improve traffic management throughout the County.
New road design projects include Kildare Town Northern Link Street and
South Green Area Access Improvement Scheme, Maynooth Eastern
Relief Road (LIHAF), Maynooth Outer Orbital Route, and Kildangan
Railway Bridge Footpath Scheme
New roads constructed include Section of Southern Orbital Relief Road,
Newbridge and the M7 Naas to Newbridge Bypass Upgrade, M7
Osberstown Interchange and R407 Sallins Bypass.
Preliminary construction works commenced on the Athy Distributor Road.
Design completed, funding secured and construction works commenced
for Coughlanstown Slope Failure Remediation Project, Ballymore Eustace
Design completed and advance construction works commenced on the
new Machinery Yard.
New cycleway from Maynooth to Westmeath completed. Design and
construction progress on the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Design
and the Royal Canal Greenway.
Completion of N78 Improvement Scheme Phase 1, Athy.
Road safety and cycle skills programme delivered to schools throughout
the County.
Six public consultations were held, yielding in excess of 550 submissions.
The Roads Department issued 229 Abnormal Load Permits and 1,138
Road Opening Licences.
There were 27 Temporary Road Closures throughout 2019, facilitating
water and utility works, development and other works.
In support of the objective of enhancing and developing the appearance and
environment of Kildare, the following projects were commenced:
Narraghmore Village Public Realm Improvement Scheme
Meeting House Square, Athy improvement works
Intel Diversion Road, Leixlip
Inner Relief Street, Maynooth facilitating housing development
Phase 5 of the Maynooth North South Corridor Pedestrian and Cycle
Scheme completed
Ongoing replacement of public lighting with energy efficient lights
Installation of standardised bus stops and shelters progressed in
collaboration with the National Transport Authority
23National Roads – Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
The 2019 allocation for Kildare County Council from TII was €11.9million. This
funding was primarily expended on capital works including M7 Naas to Newbridge
Bypass Upgrade, Osberstown Interchange, Sallins Bypass and national bridge
rehabilitation schemes, in addition to maintenance works and public lighting.
Maintenance of Regional and Local Roads
There is an on-going programme of general maintenance and improvement of the
2,371 km of regional and local roads in the County. This includes pavement renewal,
repairs to potholes, footpaths, gully cleaning, maintaining and replacing road signs,
verge trimming and the renewal of road markings.
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) – Non National Roads
The 2019 total allocation for Kildare County Council from the Department of
Transport, Tourism and Sport for national roads was €30.4 million - included in this
was €17.5 million for Athy Southern Distributor Road and R407 Sallins By-Pass.
Grant funding was provided in respect of non national roads in 2019 included
restoration improvement works, restoration maintenance works, discretionary works
drainage works, safety improvement works and bridge rehabilitation. The DTTaS
grant allocation in this category is based on length of non-national roads within the
county and hence KCC plan in 2020 to prioritise updating the road schedule to
include all additional developments that have been taken in charge.
A grant of €255,000 was allocated to Safety Improvement Schemes. A grant
allocation of €122,250 was allocated to Speed Limits and the first Draft County
Speed Limit Review was presented to each Municipal District. A statutory public
consultation phase is anticipated to commence in early 2020.
National Transport Authority (NTA)
In 2019 the NTA provisionally allocated Kildare County Council €3.94 million in
respect of a programme of sustainable transport measures. Funding of these
projects is subject to the NTA’s strict eligibility guidelines. NTA funds are
predominantly focused on investment in the various cycling / walking, bus, safety
and traffic management capital projects throughout the region.
Over €300,000 in funding was provided for footpath repairs, replacement and
upgrading in towns with high footfall and incidences of trips/falls.
Winter Maintenance
County Kildare experienced a mild winter in 2018-2019 and the number of salting
runs was much less than the previous winter. Roads were treated with salt on 33
nights compared to 73 nights the previous winter season. An additional salting route
was added in February 2019 which increases the number of routes to 10; this
effectively results in the treating of 26.6 % of the non-national road network in the
County.
24Severe Weather Preparedness
The Severe Weather Assessment Team met regularly throughout the year in order to
continually monitor weather conditions and forecasts. This group prepared the
Severe Weather Plan which provides a comprehensive framework within which the
local authority manages severe weather incidents. The document also contains vital
contact information which is required during the management of severe weather
incidents.
During the winter period Kildare County Council provides advice and updates for
households on the Council’s website, along with details of the Council’s Winter
Service Plan on: http://kildare.ie/countycouncil/emergencynewsandinformation.
Communication with the public will be further improved in 2019 with the introduction
of MapAlerter software to provide on-line updates to registered participants. In the
event of an exceptional severe weather event, Kildare County Council provides
additional warnings and local information to the public by means of the Council’s
website, local radio, social media, newspapers and the national media (in the event
of a major incident / emergency).
Climate Change and Adaptation Strategy Initiatives
In 2019, the Council took delivery of new fleet at a cost of €100,000, as part of
the upgrading and investment in fleet with newer technologies to provide
greater efficiency.
Drainage works continued throughout the County to prevent surface water
accumulations and alleviate localised flooding on roads.
To minimise damage and danger to road users during storm episodes, tree
pruning and vegetation management along public roads was ongoing in the
five Municipal Districts, including engagement with local landowners with
properties adjoining public roads to prevent dangers to people using public
roads.
Public Lighting
There are approximately 28,000 public lighting units in the county. The cost of
maintaining these lights places a significant burden on the Council, and the ongoing
taking in charge of housing estates adds to the number of public lights to be
maintained annually.
Kildare County Council continues to work on a programme of energy reduction to
reduce energy consumption by 50% with the ongoing replacement of public lighting
with energy efficient lighting. To assist KCC in reaching our energy targets, the
National Public Lighting LED Retrofit Project, funded by the Department of
Communications, Climate Action and Environment will commence in 2020.
Road Planning
Planning applications received by Kildare County Council are referred to the Roads
Department for assessment under the relevant roads-related National Standards and
Guidelines. In 2019 (January–October), 1,052 applications were examined,
assessed, and reports prepared with recommended conditions provided to the
Planning Department.
25Road Safety
2019 saw an increase in road safety activities in the County Kildare, with much of the
education awareness focused at primary and post-primary school level. Various
other joint road safety programmes were also delivered by Kildare County Council
and other stakeholders; to schools, youth groups and community groups while a
number of road safety shows were also held in communities and at outdoor events in
the county. School Wardens and Community Wardens received refresher training
and Kildare County Council continues to maintain 28 school crossing points.
The Kildare Road Safety Working Group met twice in 2019 where road safety
education, engineering and enforcement was discussed. Progress was also made at
the working group meetings on the formulation of the County’s revised Road Safety
Plan for Kildare.
Pay Parking
Pay Parking was in operation in the main towns in the county in 2019, with
enforcement provided by a private contractor in Maynooth, Naas, Newbridge,
Kildare, Athy, Celbridge and Leixlip.
New bye laws were introduced in other towns i.e., Sallins, Clane and Kilcock
and the Council's Community Wardens monitor and enforce the two-hour
parking regime set out in these bye-laws, in addition to monitoring
unauthorised and illegal parking in all other areas of the County.
Improvements were made to a number of off-street car parks (i.e., provision of
CCTV, resurfacing, relining, new signage).
Cycling
Kildare County Council held a successful ‘Bike Week’ in 2019, with 18 events being
held across the county. Many of these involved primary schools, cycling clubs and
community groups. The Kildare Cycle Forum met twice in 2019 and members of the
committee attended the Velo City International conference in Dublin. Kildare County
Council installed 12 secure bicycle locker units in Naas town as part of an initial pilot
scheme. It is envisaged that additional bicycle lockers will be installed in other
strategic locations in 2020. The Council provided subvention funding to 22 primary
schools for Cycle Safety skills programme, ‘Cycle Right’ which assists 5 th & 6th class
students to become safer and independent cyclists.
Accessibility, Inclusivity and Disability Initiatives
A key highlight in 2019 was the Development of Universal Design and Accessibility
Policy, in compliance with the Disability Act 2005 and the National Disability
Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. The Access Officer, acting as a conduit between local
access groups and the Council, met with access groups and carried out walk-ability
audits in Celbridge, Athy, Newbridge, Maynooth and Naas.
A workshop took place in May to progress the development of a 3 year strategy
around accessibility. The workshop was attended by a broad range of stakeholders
26from within KCC (elected members and officials), other statutory bodies, community
and voluntary sector agencies, and disability access groups.
Events were organised for Make Way Day, held on the 26th September to raise
awareness around daily obstacles that disabled people encounter going about their
day. Events were held in Rathangan, Newbridge, Athy, Naas, Celbridge and
Maynooth.
27Division C - Water Services
Key Indicators
Total Division Expenditure 2020 € 10,192,607
Daily Water Usage 2019 81,500 m³
Unaccounted for Water 2019 < 20 %
Water Services
14,000,000
12,000,000
10,000,000
8,000,000
Expenditure
Income
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Irish Water
On 1st January 2014, the Government established a public water utility company,
Irish Water, to take over the operational and capital delivery functions of local
authorities in the water services area. Responsibility for water services passed to
Irish Water at that time, with local authorities remaining involved in the sector,
operating under Service Level Agreements, as agents of Irish Water.
Irish Water has statutory responsibility for both investing and operating water
services infrastructure in its role as a provider of drinking water and waste water
services to household, commercial and industrial customers in Ireland (not served by
Group Water Schemes). It has responsibility for:
The abstraction, treatment and distribution of drinking water;
The collection and treatment of waste water and sludge disposal;
28 Sourcing private finance for investment in capital projects;
The roll-out of the water metering programme;
Customer billing and relationship management, including requests for new
connections;
Conservation of water supplies through maintaining and upgrading the
infrastructure including investment on mains rehabilitation.
Water Supply
Kildare’s current daily water supply demand is approximately 81,500 cubic meters,
70% comes from the regional water treatment plants at Ballymore Eustace and
Leixlip while the remaining 30% is produced at the Barrow Abstraction Plant in
Srowland near Athy, and from wellfields at Rathangan, Monasterevin, Clogherinkoe,
Ardcarraig, Clonuff, Redbog and Castlemitchell.
The demand for water in the Dublin Region can, at times of peak demand, exceed
sustainable supply. Consequently there is a requirement for close monitoring of
demand and a pro-active water conservation programme. Supply in the region
however, is ultimately dependent on the capacity of water treatment plants to
produce treated water from naturally occurring sources.
Water supply throughout the county is monitored in accordance with the 2014
Drinking Water Regulations.
Water Supply Operations and Maintenance
Kildare County Council staff, under the control of Irish Water, effect the management
of the public water supply from the source to the tap. Water sources are protected
and the raw water is treated before introduction to the distribution network. The
maintenance of the network forms the bulk of this section’s work including:
Maintaining, repairing and upgrading reservoirs, pipes and fittings.
Monitoring performance and managing the network to ensure the efficient use
of resources.
Connecting new commercial and private customers.
Monitoring and protecting water quality.
Developing a Drinking Water Incident Response Plan (DWIRP)
Water Conservation
The Council’s leak detection unit, under the direction of Irish Water, continued its
water conservation activities such that 'unaccounted for water' is now at 20%
(September 2019). This is a significant achievement given that the average level for
unaccounted water in the region is approximately 31%. On an ongoing basis it
continues with the installation of District Metering Areas (DMA’s) and the
implementation of pressure management (using pressure reducing valves) allowing
the leak detection unit pinpoint areas of water loss. As a result the leak detection
teams can now locate leaks not visible above ground, and effect necessary repairs
within 24 hours. Kildare participated in an Irish Water Leakage Management System
programme in 2018 resulting in locating and fixing leaks. This has resulted in the
saving of 3 megalitres per day. A number of major rehabilitation schemes were
completed in 2019 at Kilmeague, Suncroft and Thomastown (in Rathangan). A
similar project in Maynooth is planned to commence in Q1 2020.
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