Cllr Mary Howard Cathaoirleach
Mr Pat Dowling Chief Executive
Introduction by the Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive staff and elected members as service delivery changed from office-based to remote working. Clare County Council staff met these challenges head on; they are to be commended for the commitment to public service demonstrated in 2020.
We are pleased to introduce the Council’s Annual Report 2020, which outlines the work of the Council in delivering on a wide range of vital public services and a number of major projects during the year. The year 2020 was an extraordinary one locally and globally in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The impact of Covid-19 is evident throughout this Report. The pandemic, and the Government restrictions necessary to safeguard public health, significantly impacted the nature of service provision. The Council had to respond decisively and innovatively to challenges that could not have been anticipated. Clare County Council provided a leadership role in the Covid-19 response in the county, working with national government, regional partners and agencies, and local businesses and communities to chart paths through the periods of uncertainty.
In addition to meeting the challenges of Covid-19, Clare County Council continued to deliver core local government services across the county, focusing and delivering on key strategic objectives, creating new opportunities. The Council is responsible for delivering services to over 118,000 individuals, with a staff of 940 and an annual budget of €128m in 2020 and a forecasted capital expenditure of €372m over the next three years. The pandemic and the associated public health measures presented immediate and severe financial challenges for the Council and business communities as they dealt with the economic impact and restrictions on business activity. The Council had forecasted extraordinary financial and cash flow impacts in the areas of Commercial Rates, Income from
Council staff across the organisation had to adapt to new ways of working while finding innovative ways to continue to provide its wide range of services. New technologies and new ways of working were embraced by our
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