Adopted Budget 2019
higher maintenance costs associated with ageing stock as well as increased consumption costs as more private estates are taken in charge and increasing energy charges. Clare County Council presently has responsibility for the management and maintenance of over 14,000 public lights. The budget 2019 provides for an increased energy cost of €160k in this area. It is the intention of Clare County Council to participate in a National Local Authority Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project and avail of borrowing funding for the capital investment required to undertake the project subject to statutory processes and approvals. The investment by Irish Water in the water services capital programme in County Clare will continue in 2019, while the Council will continue to deliver the Rural Water Programme. Social Development The Social Development Directorate exercises functional responsibility over the delivery of Housing, Cultural, Sports and Recreational Services in the County which are represented in Divisions A and F of the budget 2019. The Directorate will continue to maintain a firm focus on the acceleration of housing solutions for those in need and 2019 will see a significant shift towards Local Authority self build in the delivery of social housing in the County. While also continuing to work closely with the approved housing bodies, present indications suggest upwards of 200 dwellings in total will be at various stages of construction during 2019. In addition to driving and facilitating an ambitious construction programme, persons seeking assistance with other housing supports will continue to be supported by the team while efforts to address homelessness will be given a significant boost by the planned opening of a new Homeless Action Team office in Aras an Chontae in the New Year as well as the opening of the County’s first family hub. As the housing stock will continue to increase to meet demand over the coming years, it is becoming more evident that the planned maintenance strategy which is at an advanced stage of completion will deliver significant benefits in proactively managing our assets. However, the initial investment to be identified in bringing all stock to the required standard will likely pose a significant funding challenge in future budgets. 2019 will also see the County one step closer to greatly enhancing its cultural offering with construction of the new County Library to be underway from the start of the year while proposals to upgrade amenities at some of our recreational facilities in the County will continue to be progressed. Clare County Council
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