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O COMMUNITY AND ECONOM

O WATER SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT

O HOUSING

O HUMAN RESOURCES/CORPORATE SERVICES

Management Report to Council

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

AND ENVIRONMENT

CORPORATE SERVICES

June 2017

Management Report to Council

June 2017

Management Report to Council

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COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE

Cultural Section: Tipperary County Museum Action Area Update

Tipperary County Museum Museum’s Full accreditation with Heritage Council

MSPI 10th Anniversary Awards ceremony will be July 11th 2017

Collections Gallery A sculpture ‘The Victim ‘by Sculptor & Artist Ronan Gillespie was put on display last week.

Temporary Exhibitions 2017

1. ‘History of the Hair Hurling Ball’ has been extended till July 2017. 2. ‘A Message in Time’: A Postcard inspired exhibition currently being devised

opening July 3rd 2017: 3. A scheduled education & temporary exhibition programme will accompany

the exhibition. Education Planning 2017:

1. Planning Lecture Series 5 – Themed around House and Home x 8 2. Working on Education/Outreach Projects for Postcard exhibition – partners

include Heritage Office, Planning Section, Tipperary Tourism, WIT, Twinned Towns, local schools

3. Summer Camp advertised 18th – 21st July 4. Bealtaine Lecture – NMI 5. Reminiscence Sessions x3 in Cashel Library for Bealtaine

Recent Acquisitions: A Significant donation of Rare Books has been donated to TCM by an anonymous donor

Funding Investigating various strands of funding : Creative Ireland – €10’000 Heritage Council Walled Towns Day – Received €8k FCM STDC: Proposal to create a Replica Derrynaflan Chalice & Replica Coin Hoard has passed EOI phase. Completed documentation due August 2017

Tipperary Sports Partnership & FAI TSP Board 1 New Sports Representative recruited to the Board. Operational Plan 2017 Operational Plan is in place and work is in progress implementing the action

areas. Social Inclusion programme

• A swim education programme will take place in Carrick on Suir in June / July working with WSTCYS and the Sean Kelly Centre.

• A youth sports programme will take place during June / July with Roscrea Youth Services (Garda Youth Diversion programme)

• TSP is supporting the YWIT Activ8 programme with sports programmes taking place in Cashel and Fethard, Killenuale, Templemore, Cashel and Littleton..

• A new Teens at Risk (TAR) programme has been developed with YWIT in Tipperary town. A 6 week waterpolo programme took place during May, as well as a soccer programme.

• Working with Tipperary Rural Traveller Programme in a ‘Health for Traveller

Men’ programme. Also working with the TRTP on a Young Travellers Mental Health Improvement Programme -Erasmus funded project.

• Inclusive Swim Programme for PWD is now running in Nenagh, Thurles, Roscrea and Clonmel

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• The ‘Enjoy Tennis’ programme is running successfully in Castleview Tennis Club, Carrick on Suir, Kilfeacle Tennis Club, Hillview Tennis Club, with Larkspur and Tipperary town due to commence soon.

• New partnership with developed with Badminton Ireland and a Para – Badminton taster session took place in Nenagh College on 4th May 5 week programme has been developed as a result of the taster session.

• A TRY Sailing programme will take place on Lough Derg during June for adults with an intellectual disability

• TSP are working with St.Annes School Roscrea in delivering an adapted physical activity programme for children with a disability..

• Working with YWIT in developing a series of workshops under our ‘Inclusive Clubs’ programme. Topics will include Mental Health and Bullying.

General Programme • Planning has commenced for the Tipperary Women's Marathon set for the 24th September in Clonmel.

• Working on developing a Get Walking Initiative as part of Get Ireland Walking • Further development of the Suir Blueway is in progress with capital works

planned for Ardfinnan, Kilsheelan & Suir Island. Contract has been awarded for Ardfinnan. The tender documentation for Kilsheelan & Suir Island and a Master Plan is currently being finalised.

• A Hub Co-ordinator/Canoeing Project Officer is currently working with the local communities, schools, and canoe clubs on the lower River Suir

• TSP through Bike Week Funding are supporting 12 groups to provided cycling activities during Bike Week 2017 (10th to 18th June) throughout the County

• The Sports Hall Athletics programme is currently running in progress with 11 Primary schools

• Buggy Brigade Fitness Programme continues weekly in Clonmel for new mothers with support from TSP

• A team of older adults is being organised to travel to DCU to represent Tipperary at the National GFL Games

• Linked with the FAI to showcase Walking Football for Older Adults, we are now exploring a programme.

• The delivery of Child Welfare & Protection Courses is underway (Safeguarding 1, 2 & 3) 115 participant have attended SG1 and 16 participants have attended SG2 and 12 attended SG3 training.

TSP Funding • €10,000 allocated from DTTS for Bike Week 2017 • Funding application being progressed for the Suir Blueway through the Rural

Recreation Fund • Funding applications being progress to Sport Ireland for Dormant Accounts

Funding under 3 measures FAI • Schools – A record number of 110 schools participated in our Primary schools

competition this year which started on Monday March 6th. Over 2,200 children will participate in the event.

• • Intercultural – Currently delivering Intercultural after school projects to 4 schools

in the county and a delivery of FARE week Anti-Racism workshop to a further 4 schools will take place in October. Completed.

• Football for All – Maintain and support the clubs currently operating a Football for All section within their club.

• Club/league Development – provide constant support for the clubs and leagues in the county with particular emphasis in 2017 on the roll out of the new club mark scheme for clubs as well as a new parent education workshop. Player development plan workshops will also be rolled out.

• Emerging Talent – work continues with both North and South Tipperary Schoolchildren’s leagues with the development of the Emerging Talent Programme. Season 2017/17 will finish at the end of June. Over 300 players currently in the programme.

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• Coach Education Courses – • Safeguarding – 5 Safeguarding workshops have been delivered this year with

60 participants. A further 5 will be rolled over before the end of the year. • Soccer Sisters Easter Camps – 8 Soccer Sisters camps delivered over the

Easter holidays. • 26 Summer Camps to take place during July and August. • Social Inclusion – Provide Football related activity for the youth of particular

targeted areas around the county through the medium of Late Night Leagues, After School Drop Ins and Street Leagues

Heritage Heritage Plan Actions

River Suir Heritage Audit 2017 section Knocklofty to Cahir has gone through procurement and tenders due to be opened and assessed start June. Appointment will take place in June and work should start end June/Start July.

Film Project : Briefs being written up for 3 short films on aspects of heritage from around the county, this project is in conjunction with Counties Galway and Clare and the Galway Film Centre.

BATLAS 2020 training will take place at the Cabragh Wetlands on June 5th.

The Heritage Plan 2017-2021 was launched with the Tipperary Arts Strategy 2017-2021 on 25 April in The Source Theatre in Thurles just before the Creative Ireland workshop.

Funding €3000 has been received from Irish Walled Towns network for a conference on Maintaining Historic properties that will take place in September 2017.

Further application was made for North/South Funding with Count y Museum and Friend of Derry Museum for Educational resource on sieges. This is a follow on to funding secured for a handling collection on sieges in 2016.

Under Heritage Councils Community Grant scheme 2017 Carrick on Suir library Wildlife Garden Old school Museum The Commons, Burncourt Community Council and South Tipperary Beekeepers association were successful and received funding. Birdwatch Ireland were also successful in securing funding for projects which will take place in Tipperary.

Creative Ireland The 2017 Activation plan was completed and launched by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Heather Humphreys in Dublin Castle on 25th May. A community grant scheme was advertised in local papers with closing date 9th June A Culture and Creativity Plan is being prepared for the County A call for expressions of interest for projects for the duration of the programme will be made in Autumn.

Heritage Week:

Wild Child day is 23 August and we have Family Wildlife discovery day in Cabragh Wetlands with Birdwatch Ireland. We are also working with the OPW to host a launch event for Heritage Week on the Rock of Cashel on 18 August. Events will take place in each Municipal District to showcase our local heritage.

National Famine Commemoration 2017

National Famine Commemoration 2017 will take place in the Famine Warhouse 1848 in Ballingarry, Thurles on September 30 2017. A Steering committee has been set up to organise this event.

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Arts Arts Strategy A Creative County- Tipperary Arts Strategy 2017-2021 is the strategic plan which

will guide arts development in the County over the next five year period. The Arts & Heritage Strategies were officially launched on 25th April by The Cathaoirleach in Thurles as part of a series of Cultural events which included the public consultation phase of the Creative Ireland Initiative.

Arts in Education programme

The Second Level Print in Schools Exhibition is an arts office initiative to support access to original works of art by secondary school students. This touring exhibition can be borrowed by second level schools as a support to the school curriculum. The exhibition was installed in Colaίste Dún Iascaigh in Cahir during April and May and workshops in the processes involved in printmaking took place in the school in May. The exhibition will tour to schools in Nenagh and Thurles in the autumn.

Music Generation An application to Music Generation has been developed by the Arts Office in partnership with Tipperary Education and Training Board and was submitted to the open call for applications in May.

Arts Act Grant Scheme Recommendations under the Arts Act Grant Scheme for 2017 will be brought before Tipperary County Council at the June meeting of the Council.

Projects • The Arts Office is a member of The Creative Ireland Tipperary Team. • Over 70 events took place during May as part of The Tipperary Bealtaine

Festival in Day Care Centers, Nursing Homes, Libraries and Arts Venues across Tipperary. This festival which celebrates Creativity in Older Age is organised by The Arts Office in partnership with Tipperary Libraries.

• Culture Night will take place on 22 September this year and an application is currently being prepared for submission to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for match funding for the event.

• Ongoing provision of information, advice and support to the arts sector within the county.

Action Area Update LCDC LCDC Board The 3 LCDC Sub-groups and full LCDC (Sustainable Communities; Social

Inclusion; Finance/Audit) continue to meet and transact business SICAP The Mid Year Review Process in underway. The process of SICAP programme

2018-21 procurement has also commenced with the Prior Information Notice having been published.

LDS The Independent Evaluation Committees are in place and have begun to meet to make funding award recommendations on project applications to the LCDC. At its May meeting, Tipperary LCDC approved LEADER grant aid for three projects, representing the first project approvals under the Programme. The two Implementing Partners continue to process the significant number of Expressions of Interest (EoIs) which were received under the Targeted Calls. Many project promoters have already been notified as to their eligibility and the IPs are working with these promoters on their full project applications. Rolling Call EoIs continue to be accepted by the IPs on an ongoing basis.

LECP Updates on action implementation have been sought for the Mid Year Review of the 2017 LECP workplan. The Review will be carried out by the LECP advisory Committee at the end of June 2017. An Gardaí, Tusla and the Library services have attended the LCDC to provide an update in their LECP led actions.

JPC

County Tipperary JPC held its second meeting in Rockwell on 26th of May 2017. Chief Supt. Catherine Kehoe, presented a review of levels and patterns of crime and an overview of the Tipperary Policing Plan for 2017.

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Playground Policy That the Playground policy adopted in February 2017 is updated with the consent of the Housing SPC to reflect that all playgrounds under the scope of the Tipperary County Council Playground Policy whether existing or new playgrounds would have to display no smoking signs and endorse a smoke free policy in the children’s playground.

CYPSC (Children and Young People Services Committee)

Ruairi O’Caisleain made a presentation on the role of CYPSC and the CYPSC plan at each of the Municipal Districts in April. The draft CYPSC Plan for County Tipperary was presented at the May CYPSC meeting and the final draft is to be signed off at the June CYPSC meeting together with an action plan setting out specific actions, lead and partner agencies, and associated timelines. The CYPSC sub group continue to progress the application for Jigsaw, Youth Mental Health for County Tipperary.

RAPID/CAP Work Littleton and Roscrea Community Action Partnership continue to meet. The Roscrea CAP are exploring the development of a Making Connections Local Training Initiative –similar to the model in Clonmel. A community day was organised though the Littleton CAP at Easter and a meeting regarding the development of a men’s shed took place. A brief for the development of new RAPID Plans for Clonmel, Carrick-on Suir and Tipperary has been prepared.

Tipperary Age Friendly Strategy

Age Friendly Roscrea are celebrating local business completing the Age Friendly Business Program, and celebrating their anniversary on June 7th in Roscrea. An information guide to Services for Older People in County Tipperary is being progressed with the HSE and Citizens Information Board.

Comhairle na nÓg The Comhairle na nÓg Council met as a full Council in Nenagh in April. Representatives from Comhairle participated in a workshop on the draft CYPSC plan and also made a presentation to the May Joint Policing Committee. 2 representatives will attend a National Consultation with DYCA on Youth Mental Health on 17th June.

Healthy Ireland Tipperary Registration

All cities and Counties in Ireland are eligible to apply for membership of the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland, this is reflective of Phase VI European Healthy Cities Goals and supportive of Health 2020 and Healthy Ireland. Recommend that a political commitment endorsing the principals and strategies to the WHO Health 2020, Healthy Ireland (2013-2020) is agreed and supporting participation in the National Network.

Healthy Ireland A Healthy Ireland Team has been formed comprising of membership for the HSE, Tipperary County Council, ETB, the development companies NTLP & STDC and the PPN.

Pride of Place For Pride of Place for 2017, Tipperary County Council entered Carrick on Suir, and within this the Strand Theatre, the Brewery Lane and the Artisan Hub, to represent Tipperary in Category 7, Creative Place Initiative for 2017. .

PPN A new coordinator Dee Hennessey has commenced employment with the PPN and will take up the roll full time in June 2017. The PPN continue to issue a fortnightly mail shot informing affiliated groups of forthcoming grant opportunities, training, and representation opportunities on county structures ensuring that the voice of the Community and Voluntary Sector is represented in these decision making structures.

STAN South Tipperary Action Network for Mental Health launched a directory of Mental Health Services and Supports on the 19th of May

South Tipperary Disability Group Forum (STDGF)

The STDGF met on May 25th. The group, representative of the Disability Sector within South Tipperary will host a Picnic In the Park in the Sensory Garden Cahir on the 6th of July. This group with the support of the PPN will evolve into an all County Disability Group representing all sectors ensuring inclusion and striving for universal access.

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Strategic Projects Unit (SPU) Existing SPU projects Continued implementation and progression of projects, part-funded through the

EU, including: Sustainable heritage management of Waterway Regions (SWARE). Supporting eco-innovations towards international markets (SUPER). RUR@L SMEs (Policies to develop entrepreneurship and the creation & internationalization of innovative SMEs in rural areas

Finalised Projects Continue to progress closure issues, including draw down of funds, of finalised projects.

New EU Funded Sources 4 EU project applications, involving TCC as a partner, submitted to date in 2017: • ECO-ENTREPRENEURS (Creation of social eco-entrepreneurs;

Promotion of the innovation and the technology in the more traditional sectors linked to rural areas) – INTERREG VB Atlantic Area

• INTERFACE (Capacity Building, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in “Fragile” Communities) – ERASMUS+ Strategic Partnerships

• E-DRIVERS (Innovative E-learning, education & training programme in Road Safety; opportunity to combine various aspects such as road safety, youth development, community dev., joint policing, employability skills) – ERASMUS+ Strategic Partnerships

• Continue to progress the CATALYST proposal through Business Planning Phase of Ireland-Wales INTERREG Programme (capitalise on applied R&D expertise amongst project partners in areas of product & service design, communications technology and materials development; target the sectors of Food & Drink and Life Sciences)

Assisting in the completion of the contractual arrangements for TCC’s participation in the HORIZON 2020 funded “AgriChemWhey” Project, to commence September 2017

Enterprise & Economic Development Action Area Update Economic Development LECP - Economic Town Business Premises Enhancement Scheme

The development of a 2017 scheme for the enhancement of the shops and business premises in towns is underway and was offered to towns in April 2017

Retail -Commercial Incentive Scheme 201

The Retail/Commercial Incentive Scheme continues to be available across County Tipperary and there is an uptake in enquiries in the first third of the year. Full details available at www.tipperarycoco.ie/cis.

Retail Town Centre Initiative.

Thurles will be the focus of the roll-out of the Retail Town Centre Initiative over the coming weeks with the first meeting held on 31st May 2017. A Facebook campaign promoting attendance at the Retail Excellence Ireland Retreat by hosting a draw for tickets to the retail sector across the county. A review of the value of this promotion is underway.

County Based Craft Industry Strategic Plan

The development of the Craft Action Plan for 2017-2019 is nearing conclusion. Preliminary data advises us that the Craft Sector in Tipperary is strong with over 27 mixed type craft groups, shops and enthusiasts along with 73 responses from a database of 142 craft makers.

Digital Media/Gaming Corridor

As part of the Feasibility Study to determine the viability of a digital media/gaming corridor, executives from C&E carried out market research in London during the course of the Going Global Expo. A consultant has been engaged to look at the Irish market and staff will attend a number of digital related events over the coming weeks to bring the study to a conclusion.

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Broadband The rollout of Broadband in County Tipperary in line with the NBP and the development of a Digital Strategy for County Tipperary has commenced with the establishing of an Infrastructural working group and a Digital strategy working group to oversee this. Full update at the meeting of council members on all aspects of the National Broadband Plan roll-out.

Promotion & marketing of County Tipperary

The suite of marketing materials comprising of a County Brochure, Website, 5 Municipal District brochures and video to promote Tipperary as a location for inward investment was launched on 26th April by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, T.D. In Kilshane House. Subsequently executives from C&E attended the FDI and Going Global Expo held at the ExCeL, London on 18th and 19th May.

Tipperary Tourism PR – Familiarisation Trips from Travel Journalists Tipperary Tourism is currently coordinating familiarisation trips from Travel Journalists including the following confirmed publications; the Sunday Business Post, the Sunday Independent, the Irish Examiner, the Irish Daily Star, Her.ie. And TUI. With more trips in the planning stages. This will raise the profile of Tipperary as a tourism destination in the domestic and foreign markets and will influence our target markets to choose Tipperary for their next trip. Experience Development The project to develop Experiential Offers has completed delivering two unique bundled packages to offer to prospective visitors to the County. Theses Experiential Offers / Bundles will be marketed through Tipperary Tourism, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for 12 months. Videos to promote these bundles are now available on www.tipperary.com and related social media accounts.

Munster Vales The Marketing and Destination Manager is now in place and the new webpage for Munster Vales and associated social media accounts has gone live, www.munstervales.com. Twitter @MunsterVales. Facebook and Instagram: Munster Vales.

Lough Derg A Taste of Lough Derg 2017, a festival of food taking place around the lake was launched on May 27th with 30 events taking place around the lake between May and September. More details on www.discoverloughderg.ie

Study of Training & development Needs in the County for firms employing 10+ staff

The Training and Development Needs Analysis undertaken by Marla on behalf of the ETB and LEO Tipperary will be published in the coming weeks.

Local Enterprise Office • To date the LEO processed 18 Measure 1 grant applications and approved assistance amounting to €279,761 for 14 projects (3 Priming, 8 Business Expansion & 3 Feasibility). The grants approved will leverage private capital Investment of €981,306 and result in the creation of at least 46 new jobs.

• Under Measure 2 Entrepreneurial & Capability Development, over 861

individuals have availed of Training while 32 individuals have availed of Mentors through the Local Enterprise Office.

• Tipperary LEO continues to actively promote the ICT Trading OnLine Voucher Scheme and received an allocation of 36 vouchers for 2017. 11 vouchers have been allocated to date with a value of €24,227.

• Micro Finance: LEO Tipperary submitted 9 applications to date of which

4 projects were approved and will result in the creation of 10 jobs.

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• LEO Tipperary continues to implement its Spring Training Calendar

which offers a range of business skills training programmes/workshops and mentoring clinics for start-up and existing businesses.

• Cullohillbusinessservices Ltd, T/a MediSkin will represent Tipperary at the National Enterprise Awards Final in the Mansion House on 25th May which will be attended by An Taoiseach.

• The gap analysis in relation to the provision of Entrepreneurial supports in Tipperary is close to completion and will inform the County Entrepreneurship Strategy.

County Agritech Strategy The Agritech Symposium (funded under the EI Competitive Funds) will take place at the Horse & Jockey Hotel & Conference Centre, Thurles on 5th July. The Irish Farmers Journal are the media partner and the outcome from the Agritech Symposium will inform the county Agritech Strategy.

Food Centre Of Excellence

CHL Consulting Ltd were procured via e-tenders process to assess the viability of developing a food centre of excellence in Tipperary and Rockwell College is the site on which the feasibility study will be conducted. It is anticipated the feasibility study will (if positive) underpin an application under the competitive funds €25m call to be announced on 29th May.

Funding - REDZ The 2016/17 REDZ projects providers have commenced to drawdown funding under the scheme. The approved projects are: - Munster Vales - €400,000 per project. - Kilsheelan & Clonmel Sports Hub - €200,000 - Lisheen Bioeconomy Feasibility Study €100,000

Tholsel Fethard Fethard Horse Country Experience, Tipperary’s newest visitor experience will be officially launched on May 30th by Heather Humpreys TD, Minister of State for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. www.fhcexperience.ie

Irish Bioeconomy Association

The Lisheen task force met the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on April 16th with an update on the various initiatives being taken by the task force and the Irish Bioeconomy Association. The success of a UCD led application to Science Foundation Ireland (called Beacon) is a positive development for Lisheen as the National Bioeconomy Campus. The Beacon application makes reference to the requirement to provide pilot scale facilities that will provide a bridge between the bench work completed in the 3rd and 4th level in the Institutes/ Colleges and the commercial companies / industries leading the introduction of new products / processes within their businesses. The total value of the Beacon project is in excess of €17m. Technical consultants have been employed for the feasibility study on pilot scale facilities and the commercial consultants will be appointed by the end of June. The intention is to apply to the Enterprise Ireland Regional Competitive Call for funding towards the Pilot Scale facilities.

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WATER SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORATE

1. Irish Water Service Level Agreement and Annual S ervice Plan While responsibility for water services has passed to Irish Water since 01 January 2014, local authorities remain very involved in the sector, acting as agents of Irish Water in relation to the operation and maintenance of services. This transition means that local authorities operate under Service Level Agreements with Irish Water. Irish Water sets the level of service, in light of its contract with the economic regulator, and driving efficiencies and accelerated investment. In conjunction with the Service Level Agreement, an Annual Service Plan is prepared each calendar year through a joint planning process between the Council and Irish Water. 2. Capital Projects On 13 May 2014 Irish Water published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for 2014 to 2016. Investment is prioritised where it can deliver the most urgently needed improvements in drinking water quality, leakage, water availability, wastewater compliance, efficiencies and customer service. Irish Water has submitted its proposed Investment Plan 2017-2021 to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). On 12 December 2016, the CER published its decision paper on the Irish Water Allowable Revenue for the period from 01 January 2017 to 31 December 2018, which incorporates the Investment Plan as it relates to that period. Formal publication by Irish Water of the Investment Plan is awaited.

Irish Water Major Capital Investment Programme –Tipperary

A. Schemes in Construction Contract Name Consultant Contractor

Current scheme status

Water Conservation Stage 3 Fethard RWSS

Fethard RWSS Network Rehabilition and Advance Fethard Sewage Scheme

Ryan Hanly David Walsh Civil Engineering

Scheme substantially complete.

Clonmel Town and Rural WSS (Advance Works)

Graigue Watermain and Borehole Contract No. 3

Nicholas O'Dwyer

Wills Brothers Scheme substantially complete.

Water Conservation Stage 3 Nenagh Town

Water Conservation Stage 3 Nenagh Town

JB Barry Balfour Beatty Works ongoing.

Nenagh Sewerage Scheme

Nenagh Wastewater Network Advanced Works

JB Barry Balfour Beatty Works ongoing.

Thurles WTP Advanced Works Clodiagh Intake

Intake works on Clodiagh River at Rathkennan, Holycross

Nicholas O’Dwyer

Glan Agua

Scheme substantially complete.

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B. Review Scope and commence construction (IW Reviewing)

Contract Name Current scheme status

Clonmel Town and Rural WSS (Advance Works)

Storage North of Clonmel and Pipelines

Nicholas O’Dwyer Consultant appointed. Design ongoing.

Thurles RWSS Contract 2 DBO WTP and Abbey Road pipelines

Thurles RWSS Contract 2 DBO Water Treatment Plant and pipelines

Nicholas O’Dwyer Consultant appointed. Planning permission granted. Project at tender.

Ardfinnan RWSS/ Burncourt RWSS

Mechanical and Electrical Works Ballylooby Springs including Drumroe and Kilroe Reservoirs.

JB Barry Consultant appointed. Site investigations complete. Design ongoing.

Clonmel Town and Rural WSS (EIS and Water Abstraction Order)

Clonmel Town and Rural WSS -WTP, Reservoirs, Intake Works and Pipelines DBO Contract.

Nicholas O’Dwyer Consultant appointed. Design ongoing.

Roscrea Sewerage Scheme Network Upgrade Jacobs Engineering Consultant appointed. Preliminary surveys ongoing

Thurles Sewerage Scheme Network Upgrade Jacobs Engineering Consultant appointed. Preliminary surveys ongoing

Nenagh Sewerage Scheme WWTP and Network Upgrade ARUP Engineering Consultant appointed. Preliminary assessment ongoing.

Water Conservation Stage 3 Burncourt RWSS

Burncourt Water Main Network Rehabilitation

IW reviewing.

Grangemockler Sewerage Scheme

WWTP and Network

IW reviewing.

C. Continue Planning and Business Case Review (IW Reviewing)

Contract Name

Fethard Sewerage Scheme Fethard Sewerage Scheme IW reviewing.

Ballina / Killaloe Sewerage Scheme

WWTP and Network Upgrade IW reviewing.

Templemore Sewerage Scheme Network Upgrade IW reviewing.

Borrisoleigh Sewerage Scheme WWTP Upgrade IW reviewing.

As part of the IW 2017-2021 Investment Plan, Irish Water has notified Tipperary County Council that it is commencing the procurement of consultants for Ballina WWTP, Newport WWTP, Cashel WWTP, Fethard WWTP, Cahir WWTP and Tipperary WWTP with a target start date of July-August 2017. 3. Irish Water Minor Capital Programme

This ongoing programme is designed to prioritise spending as effectively as possible, to identify where funding is most needed through focus on specific asset condition and performance, identifying root causes of problems and addressing these. The programme addresses issues such as water quality, water availability, health and safety, regulatory compliance (EPA), public health and environmental risk, energy efficiency and maintaining levels of service through addressing underperforming assets. All Minor Capital Programme projects put forward by Tipperary County Council are reviewed by Irish Water before approval.

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4. Rural Water Programme

Responsibility for the Rural Water Programme rests with the Council. It covers the following matters: (i) group water schemes; (ii) group sewerage schemes, the provision of which requires the active participation of the

householders concerned; (iii) the administration of grants for the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water

supply to a house (well grants); (iv) the administration of grants payable under the Domestic Lead Remediation (Financial

Assistance) Regulations 2016; and (v) the administration of grants payable under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems

(Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013 (it should be noted that the site inspections, etc. are carried out by Environment Section).

Details of the allocation for 2017 from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government for the Rural Water Programme have not yet been notified to the Council. The allocation is likely to focus on: • improvements on group water schemes; • network upgrades; • specific source protection; • publicly and privately sourced group water schemes who wish to be taken over by Irish Water;

and • projects in the rural water sector to support Water Framework Directive objectives, including

raising awareness.

A meeting of the Rural Water Committee, under the chairmanship of Councillor Mattie Ryan, took place in Thurles on 09 May 2017 to review the work of the Rural Water Programme. A scheme to assist low income households with the replacement of lead pipes in their homes has been introduced by the current Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. It is intended for principal private residences only and applications will require evidence of household income, receipts and certificates for the works completed as well as tax clearance certificates for the contractors. As the scheme falls under the Rural Water Programme, it is administered by Water Services, Civic Offices, Nenagh. To date, a grant has been paid to 1 applicant. 5. Non Domestic Water Billing

The migration of non-domestic water account data and billing from this Council to Irish Water took place in the week following 23 November 2016. All non-domestic customers will have received correspondence from Irish Water and this Council in relation to this transfer. All payments will now be made to Irish Water and all customer contact will go through its call centre. Meter reading and an amount of post migration support will continue to be undertaken by this Council. Charges for non-domestic (referred to by Irish Water as business) customers, credit terms and the frequency of billing will remain unchanged while this transition is taking place. Bills will now be issued by Irish Water directly as they fall due. Any customer with a query in relation to the process can contact Irish Water on 1850 778 778 (a dedicated non-domestic telephone number). 6. Dedicated Telephone Line for Councillors

A dedicated telephone line for councillors has been put in place by Irish Water. This service, available at 1890 178 178, is operational from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. It is recommended that councillors would ask for a reference number for their enquiry. Irish Water has provided the following information:

Irish Water Councillor Engagement We are continuing to offer councillors an enhanced service: By telephone: A dedicated telephone number for councillor queries 1890 178 178, available Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm

By email: A dedicated email address localrepsupport@water.ie

Drop-In Clinics Irish Water clinics have been held in each local authority. Invitations will issue by email from Irish Water with the date, time and location of each clinic at least one week in advance. For convenience, each clinic with Tipperary County Council is held from 09.00 am to 11.00 am on the day the Council holds its monthly meeting. For those councillors

without an email address, Irish Water will endeavour to contact you by phone or post.

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Councillor Drop in Clinics in Tipperary To date, 15 no. councillor clinics have been hosted by Irish Water, with Water Services staff also in attendance, as follows:

1. County Library headquarters, Thurles on 17 December 2014; 2. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 03 February 2015; 3. Water Services, Clonmel on 18 March 2015; 4. Civic Offices, Clonmel on 13 April 2015; 5. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 11 May 2015; 6. Civic Offices, Clonmel on 13 July 2015; 7. Civic Offices, Clonmel on 14 September 2015; 8. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 12 October 2015; 9. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 11 January 2016; 10. Council Chamber, Parnell Street, Clonmel on 08 February 2016; 11. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 09 May 2016; 12. Civic Offices, Clonmel on 12 September 2016; 13. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 10 October 2016 (special clinic in relation to non-domestic billing

migration); 14. Civic Offices, Clonmel on 13 February 2017; and 15. Civic Offices, Nenagh on 08 May 2017.

As yet no date for the next clinic has been put forward by Irish Water. Elected members will be contacted with details in due course.

ENVIRONMENT

Environment Protection Services WFD /Catchment

Council Members and Strategic Policy Committee members attended a workshop to review and prepare a submission on the draft River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 on the 19th May. A number of public meetings are also scheduled across the county in June. A brochure explaining catchment friendly farming was compiled for circulation to the farming sector. 2 investigative assessments have commenced

Incidents Staff had a significant involvement in the Silvermines lead poisoning and the river Suir Crayfish plague outbreak incidents. Silvermines – The inter-agency group met on the 10th May. The main focus of the meeting was to consider “active management measures” to mitigate risks associated with lead in the area. The group agreed the terms of reference and each agency has undertaken to follow up on specific actions for the next meeting on the 7th June. All three farms have received clearance from the DAFM to supply milk again. However, the investigation remains on-going. TCC and DAFM have completed environmental sampling (soil, herbage, silage, mineral licks etc) and all results have been presented to the farms. Crayfish Plague - The inter-agency group headed by the NPWS met to agree a strategy and bio security measures. Subsequently a press release was issued and circulated and users were requested to operate a temporary ban in transferring boats or angling equipment out of the Suir catchment.

Farm Inspections

Inspections completed = 45 and two section 12 notices were issued

Nutrient Management

24 Nutrient Management were submitted for approval in the first quarter.

RMCEI A review of the RMCEI Work Programmes was carried out in April

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Air Pollution • 2 Smoky Coal • 1 Solvent ( Dry Cleaner) Inspection 2 Certifications • 5 Deco Paints 4 Certifications • 6 Petroleum Vapour Inspections 2 Certificates issued

Planning referrals

To date the section has prepared 61 planning reports - Domestic=22, Commercial=35 Agriculture=4

DWWTS 10 Inspections were completed in the first quarter.

Community Services

A draft of the 2017 – 2020 Litter Plan for the County is currently being prepared. 24 Green Flag awards and the Tidy Schools project is ongoing. Mount Bruis National School received the best water school award in the Southern Region 296 groups registered to participate in the programme

Veterinary Services

Control of Horses

Total Carrick on Suir

Cashel Tipperary

Clonmel Nenagh Thurles Templemore

Queries processed

59

3 20

16 6 14

Horse Pickups

29 1 11 6 1 10

Horses seized

44 2 20 9 1 12

Abattoirs 232 visits to abattoirs Cattle=648, Sheep =1954, Pigs =246, Goats=7 Dee=1016

Dogs Licences

2,988 licences issued.

Litter Enforcement Total Carrick

on Suir Cashel Tipperary

Clonmel Nenagh Thurles Templemore

Fines Issued

50 1 7 5 24 13

Gateway 35 site cleanups carried out in the Nenagh & Templemore & Thurles districts

Illegal Cleanups

10 large cleanups completed.

Waste Management

Tyres/Waste Tyres

A registration reminder letter was issued to the 88 potential operators. Site inspections = 6 Operators registered as self-compliers = 4 Funding was approved from the Department towards the cleanup of 6 historic stockpiles of waste tyres

Burning Inspections

56 Burning declarations investigated

Removal of Carcasses

16

CCTV installations

33 installations

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Anti Dumping Initiatives

Phase 1 funding of €25,000 was approved for three anti dumping initiatives in Nenagh, Clonmel & Carrick on Suir, this funding is focused on river cleanups. Further funding was announced recently and 8 sites have been identified and applications will be submitted in association with local community groups by the end of June.

Public Awareness

Staff visited the cattle marts to raise awareness on pollution issues and on controlled burning. The Gum Litter campaign was launched in Cahir on the 15th May by Mayor Andy Moloney and the two Johnnies compiled a DVD on gum litter which is published on the Tipperary Co Co website.

Infrastructure & Maintenance

Burial Ground Capital Maintenance

The design for the second phase of St Patricks, Clonmel has commenced. Phase 2 of the site investigation for the extensions at Cahir & Fethard are ongoing. A consultant was appointed to oversee the design works for the Boher burial ground Work is completed at Fennor and the tender assessment for the reconstruction of the wall at Cragg Burial ground is progressing. Tenders are being prepared for the footpath replacement and headstone foundations construction works at Cloughjordan, Holycross, Ballincourty, Mullinahone Grange/Knocklofty, Moycarkey and Upperchurch.

Landfill Sites The restoration and upgrade of Donohill Landfill will commence in August Funding was approved to restore the old landfill in Tipperary Town and carry out risk assessments at old landfills at Brittas Road and Monanearla in Thurles, at Convent Cross in Dundrum, Coole in Knocklofty and Connawarries in Carrick on Suir.

CAS

Donohill Roscrea Nenagh Wallers Lot Carrigeen

Visits 4474 12,704 27,422 9166 8888

Dangerous/ Derelict Sites notices

22 Section notices issued to property owners.

H&S The NSAI conducted the annual audit on the H&S and Environment Management Systems and reported the section was in compliance with OHSAS 14001/18000 certification.

Energy Tipperary County Council has signed up to an energy partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to adopt cost saving and efficiency measures to ensure its energy consumption is reduced in line with the 2020 public sector energy efficiency target of 33%. The partnership programme helps public bodies to save money, improve the environment and meet national obligations by making significant reductions in their energy usage.

Control of Horses Sulkies on Public Roads

Representatives of the Tipperary Traveller Horse Owners Association presented to the April meeting of the Environment SPC, followed by an exchange of views with the SPC members. It was agreed to pursue solutions that would help make the use of sulkies on public roads in Tipperary safer. To that end, we are in consultation with An Garda Síochána on the appropriateness of a number of measures that could be introduced through amendments to the current Control of Horses Bye Laws. A report will be brought to the Autumn meeting of the Environment SPC.

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Complaints Description Tipperary

Cashel Thurles Templemore

Nenagh Clonmel Carrick on Suir

Open Closed Open Closed Open Closed Open Closed Open Closed Air 1 6 2 2 2 7 6 1 0 1 Derelict Sites 1 0 0 0 5 1 1 0 0 0 Dog Control 2 82 1 59 1 81 4 56 3 26 Litter 9 63 6 75 5 198 67 25 34 19 Noise 2 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 Veterinary 1 10 0 10 1 9 2 14 0 2 Waste Enforcement

4 21 3 8 1 9 13 14 5 10 Water 5 0 5 2 3 3 5 6 3 3 Complaints Open 25 18 19 99 46 Complaints Closed

182 156 309 117 61

Total Received 207 174 328 216 107

Waste Enforcement

Waste Facility Permit (WFP) / Certificate of Registration (CoR), applications/ inspections

Applications - WFP applications received= 5 Certificates of Reg permit application received = 2 Inspections – Waste Facility Permit Inspections = 19 Certificates of Reg Facility Inspections = 8 TFS Inspections = 4

Packaging applications Inspections

Certificate of Renewal of Registration applications from major producers self-complying =3 Certificate of Renewal of Registration granted.=1 Site Inspections =2

Food Waste Management (Commercial)

Inspections Undertaken =8

Farm plastics The annual collection service is planned and agreed.

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HOUSING DIRECTORATE

Housing Construction

Stage 1 = Preliminary Design Stage 2 = Detailed Design

Address No of Houses Current Status

Glencarrick, Roscrea 10 Stage 2 submission being prepared. Lacey Avenue, Templemore 4 Works Completed.

Mitchel Street, Thurles 1 Stage 2 approved.

Gortataggart, Thurles 2 Awaiting Department approval to proceed.

Cloughjordan 3 Stage 2 approved. Cabragh Bridge Traveller Accomodation 6 Works in progress - Completion July 2017

Gortnahoe 5 Stage 2 approved.

Wallers Lot, Cashel 10 Design Brief Stage

Glenconnor, Clonmel 26 Part VIII Planning Stage

Borrisoleigh 12 Approved to appoint Architects

Templetuohy 6 Approved to appoint Architects

Mill Road Thurles 25 Stage 1 approved

Knockanrawley, Tipperary 25 Stage 1 approved

Mulcair View, Newport 9 Stage 1 approved

Strylea Fethard 10 Stage 1 submitted to Dept

Borrisokane 17 Stage 1 submitted to Dept

Cahir 8 Stage 1 approved

**Total funding allocation for above schemes is €23.6 m - 144 Units (Budget Allocation awaited on Fethard, Borrisokane & Cahir)

Part VIII Planning As Rebuilding Ireland is a County Wide Programme, Part VIII Planning proposals will be brought before the full Council for consideration. Adverts have been placed in the media and County Council website for the supply of housing units by Developers/AHB's and also to promote the Repair and Leasing Scheme Other Schemes Submitted to Department Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund 20 Lands at Ardgeeha approv ed - €0.78m Approved Joint Ventures to demonstrate Cost Effective Design Lands at Glenconnor West

Awaiting decision

Capital Assistance Scheme 2015 - 2017

13 acquisitions Completed 20 construction Design Stage

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CALF Scheme

12 Houses at Ashbury, Roscrea Being purchased by Cluid

15 Houses at Mill House Carrick On Suir

Being purchased by Cluid

Energy Efficiency

Allocation €3.1m

House Purchases

Completed 2017 16

RAS & Leasing

RAS 2017 25

LTL 2017 15

Housing Assistance Payment

Grants Grant Schemes are now open for new applications Grants 2017 BUDGET Total Grants Approved

3,032,731

HOUSE ADAPTION GRANT PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY-HGD

668,682.50

MOBILITY AIDS GRANT (MAG)

77,502.25

HOUSING AID FOR OLDER PEOPLE (HOP)

155,318.50

TOTAL 901,503.25

Vacant Houses 2017

Number Completed 53

Approved Housing Applicants and Vacant Houses Stati stics

District Approved Applicants Vacant Houses

Carrick 350 23

Cashel/Tipperary 556 25

Clonmel 732 36

Templemore/Thurles 875 24

Nenagh 672 37

Total 3185 145

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HUMAN RESOURCES/CORPORATE SERVICES DIRECTORATE

CORPORATE SERVICES

The Corporate Services Directorate incorporates a wide variety of centrally provided services. It contains the following:

(i) Meetings of the Council; (ii) Customer Services; (iii) Local Elections; (iv) Property Interest Register; (v) Franchise (Register of Electors); (vi) Higher Education Grants; (vii) Insurance; (viii) Freedom of Information/Ombudsman Complaints;

The Directorate works with other departments on:

• Customer Care; • Freedom of Information Requests/Ombudsman Complaints; • Data Protection Queries; • Access to Information on the Environment Requests;

1. Service Delivery Plans:

• The service delivery plan for 2017 was adopted by the Council at their meeting held on 8th May 2017, a copy of which is now available to view on the Council’s website.

2. Performance Indicators

• For 2016, there are 34 local authority performance indicators (increased from 31 in 2014) covering the following areas

• This Council complied with the deadline of the 27th April for the submission of data to the

LGReturns system for the 2016 indicators and a copy of the data is also included as an appendix in the Annual Report for 2016.

• A report on the indicator outcomes will be presented to the full Council and the audit committee following publication of the NOAC report later in the year.

• Tipperary County Council has also been selected as one of the Local Authorities that NOAC intend visiting this year on the 21st June in relation to the validation of the 2016 data. The visit will be carried out by two members of NOAC accompanied by a member of the secretariat and will include an audit of the following performance indicator returns:

o H3 – reletting times and cost; o R1 – all the road mapping data in the tables 5-9 of the 2016 report; o P5 – applications for fire safety certificates; o C2 – certified and un-certified sick leave; o C3 – website page views and social media followers;

o Housing (H1-H6) o Roads (R1-R3) o Water (W1) o Waste/Environment (E1- E3) o Planning (P1-P5) o Fire Service (F1-F3)

o Library Recreation (L1-L2) o Youth/Community (Y1-Y2) o Corporate (C1-C2) o Finance (M1-M2) o Economic Development (J1–J3)

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3. Annual Report 2016

• Tipperary County Council is required under Section 221 of the Local Government Act 2001 to prepare and adopt an annual report not later than 30th June in relation to the performance of its functions during the preceding year and shall furnish a copy of the report to each member of the Council, the adoption of which is a reserved function.

• A Draft Annual Report for 2015 has been submitted for consideration to the June meeting of the Council.

4. Information Requests

• FOI / Data Protection / Access to Information on th e Environment / Ombudsman

Freedom of Information Requests

Period to 31/05/2017

38 Data Protection Requests 5 AIE Requests - Ombudsman Cases 5 Total Requests 2016 48

• Insurance

Public Liability Claims Period to 31/05/2017

35

Pothole Claims 36

Total Claims 71

Audit Committee

The annual report of the audit committee was approved by the audit committee on the 26th April 2017 and will be brought before the council at the June 2017 meeting. There is a continued need to provide oversight, and the scale, complexity and diversity of local government business, allied to the need for transparency and accountability in regard to the performance of each authority, serve to highlight the importance of regularly reviewing the effectiveness of internal, financial and operational controls. In this regard the Tipperary Audit Committee has sought to:

• Support the Internal Auditor • Embed a culture of audit • Risk based approach to audit and management • Ensure the loop is closed – recommendations are followed-up • Prevents concentration of excessive power • Managers will meet and report to committee and take account of recommendations

made; • Encourage a critical self-analysis of processes and business practice • Questioning the basis for decisions • Emphasis on value for money • Emphasis on learning from mistakes

The current Audit Committee in Tipperary began its work on the 1st October 2014. An Audit Committee Charter was subsequently adopted which specified that an annual report would be prepared and presented to the County Council, and a copy of that report would be forwarded to the County Manager and Local Government Auditor. This Annual Report provides a summary of the key issues raised as part of the subsequent meetings in 2015 and 2016.

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Audit Committee Self-Assessment In accordance with the Local Government Reform Act 2014, the audit committee prepared a report detailing a review of its performance in accordance with Regulation 13 and any issues impairing that performance as follows:

Review of Audit Committee performance in accordance with Regulation 13 for year ending December 2016 Category Assessment Further Action (if required) Review financial and budgetary reporting practices and procedures within the local authority

AC agreed that more regular finance reports would be required

The by-monthly management reports to council would also be presented at AC

Foster the development of best practice in the internal audit function

The work completed accords with the AC strategic audit plan. Annual Regional workshop and IA network has addressed common auditing issues and standards. International auditing standard discussed but reliant on direction from the sector

Very good progress

Review any audited financial statement, Auditors’ report or Auditor’s special report and assess any actions taken by the Chief Executive in response to such a statement or report, and to report to the local authority on its findings

Completed in accordance with the programme of work for AC

Very good progress. Review management letter on motor tax.

Assess and promote efficiency and value for money with respect to the local authority’s performance of its functions

DoSs are invited regularly, IA and HoF attends all meetings, AC discuss all VFM Reports

Need for CA to follow up on all VFM Report actions

Review systems that are operated by the local authority for the management of risks

Risk register in place Bi-annual reviews

Monitor risks associated with General Data Protection Regulations.

Overall comments

Review of the strategic audit plan required. More regular management reports on finance required.

At the audit committee meeting of the 6th April 2017, the committee reviewed the working of the committee under the above five pillars. The committee identified areas where further progress would be made in 2017 and 2018.

Pursuant to section 121 of the Local Government Act (as amended by section 60 of the Local Government Act 2014), t he audit committee was provided with a copy of the 2015 audited financial statement from Ms Fiona Clancy. F. Clancy presented the Auditors Report for 2015 and committee’s deliberations focused on a number of items highlighted by the LGA. A report under S.121 will be brought to the council at the June meeting.

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Table of Agreed Actions: No Action Timeline 1 � Housing to brief the Committee on NOAC Report No. 10 –

Rented Houses Inspections Report. What progress has been made in addressing the recommendations in the report in TCC?

� Clare Curley to return to brief the Committee on Housing Strategy and the implementation points from the VFM No.29 report.

June 2017

2 P. Slattery to brief the Committee on the findings on the VFM report on Corporate Estate Management and TCC's position regarding the recommendations

June 2017

3 N. O'Dwyer to brief the Committee on the Strategic Audit Plan 2015-2019 and the progress to date in completing same

June 2017

4 Liam McCarthy to circulate the LGA’s Management Letter from Motor Tax Audit to the Audit Committee

June 2017

5 Water Services and Planning staff to provide an update on the progress being made regarding taking in charge of unfinished housing estates.

Q3 2017

6 Sinead Carr to return in late 2017 to brief the Committee on the progress being made regarding structures within C&E

Q4 2017

The next meeting of the Audit Committee will take place on Friday, 23rd June 2017, in Thurles at 11am.

5. Property Management:

• Kickham Barracks Master Plan Update: o Council currently examining the feasibility of a financial vehicle which would allow the

necessary funds for the development of the entire site to be raised and repaid, in a way which is consistent with the legal, economic, financial and fiduciary constraints of each stakeholder and which is consistent with accounting best practice and reporting requirements both now and in the future.

o Meetings held during April/May with reps of LIT & ETB;

• Disposal of Land Planning permission was recently granted to Tipp mid west radio to progress the development of a radio centre in Cashel in TCC property; A three year lease was signed with Failte Ireland for the continued use of the building occupied as a tourist office in Cahir

Joe MacGrath Chief Executive Tipperary County Council June 2017