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Debt RemovalThe commercial valuation of theCounty Council area increased fromu35,500 in 1988 to u105,000 in 2003.The key feature in relation to thefinance portfolio was tthhee eelliimmiinnaattiioonn,,tthhrroouugghh bbuussiinneessss mmeetthhooddss,, ooff ssoommee££66 mmiilllliioonn ooff ddeebbtt,, aa ssiittuuaattiioonn wwhhiicchhpprreevvaaiilleedd iinn tthhee eeaarrllyy 11999900ss.. Alsoof significance was the general re-organisation of staff, functions andduties, including the establishmentof a Value for Money section(1996), in accordance with theStrategic Management Initiative.The introduction of the districtcommittees in the same year basedon the county’s electoral areas alsoproved to be a successful initiative.

Other activities included theappointment of a Freedom ofInformation Officer and thecommencement of a number ofinitiatives in the area of InformationTechnology including -

Wide Area Network, New Website, Internet/Intranet facilities, Pilot GIS Project, (Ardee)Document Imaging System.ECDL & MCSE Training Computer facilities for Councillors

An Equality Officer was appointedand an Equality Action Team, drawnfrom a representative group of staffand unions, was also set up for the

purpose of advancing a numberof initiatives including thepreparation of a statement onequality policy. Other relatedinitiatives included the staff careservice, the annual pensioners’(inc. Dundalk and Drogheda)mass and dinner together with thestaff Christmas party held in CountyHall. The social club was alsoactively supported. In accordancewith the new reform process, aworkplace partnership group wasalso established. A Junior Councilwas also launched. AnnualChristmas functions for the electedmembers of each local authorityproved to be particularlysuccessful.

In recent years, most of theremaining elements of the “BetterLocal Government” proposals wereput in place. The Corporate Plan wasformally adopted by the electedmembers and this would providecoherence in terms of corporateobjectives for future years. TheCounty Development Board Strategywas advanced considerably withmuch input from the recentlyestablished Directorate of Communityand Enterprise. There was also aconsiderable revamp of the staffingstructure in order to match it withthe programme of change. TheStrategic Policy Committees and theCorporate Policy Group had been

66) Millennium Centre

67) Signing Relationship Agreement- Louth/Sault Ste. Marie

68) Video - “Louth A Bright Future”

69) Official Opening County Hall

70) Louth Society New York

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established while a new tier ofsenior management at Director ofServices level was also put in place.

County Hall - The Jewel in theCrownThe Louth County Hall is an ultramodern complex which representsthe best in contemporary Irisharchitecture and workmanship.The spectacular new headquartersare a fitting tribute to the localgovernment system, particularly inits centenary year. The emphasis ison convenience for the county’scitizens.

Refurbishment of Louth HospitalThe sensitive restoration and refitof this listed building greatlyfacilitated the operation of themotor taxation, fire and planningdepartments for most of the 1990’s.The building was appropriatelydisposed of to the local grammarschool as a result of the relocationof the departments to County Hall.

Area OfficesAs envisaged in the corporateplan, in order to carry out a moreintegrated and streamlinedservice, a major programme ofimprovement is currently in trainin relation to the area officestructure. This includes thefollowing:- Dunleer (Bramley Lodge)

at planning stage

- Ardee (Market Square) at commencement stage

- Woodlands Depot at planning stage

- Dundalk (The Crescent) at commencement stage

Public Private PartnershipThe following PPP schemes wereinitiated and are currentlyongoing- Dundalk South West Sector

(Sanitary Services)- Dundalk South East Sector

(Sanitary Services)- Dundalk Harbour Project

(in conjunction with Dundalk Town Council and Dundalk Port Company)

- Haymarket Bridge Drogheda

Louth Local Authorities WebsiteAt the touch of a keyboard theservices Louth has to offer are opento the world.

International RelationsWith the advent of increasingglobalisation, the potential forinteraction with areas such assouthern Ontario has been fullyexplored with a view to expandingbusiness and civic linkage. Arelationship agreement with thecity of Sault Ste. Marie was signedin 2001. Linkage was developedwith the Louth Society of New Yorkas part of the annual St. Patrick’s

71) Louth County Council 1992

72) Official Opening County Hall

73) Louth Local Authorities Centenary Memoirs

74) Centenary Memoir- Minutes of First Meeting - 22/4/1899

75) Louth Local Authorities Website

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Day celebrations. The visit toStonetown by the Governor of NewYork, George Pataki, was alsonoteworthy. Possibly, the singlegreatest highlight, however, wasthe visit by President Clinton toDundalk in December 2000 withmany of the arrangements havingbeen co-ordinated by officials ofthe County and Town Councils.Other linkages included Sydneyand Toronto.

Centenary CelebrationsThe Louth Local Authorities puttogether an imaginative programmeof events which presented anopportunity to highlight the veryreal achievements in localgovernment over the years, topromote interest in its affairsgenerally and to further improveits public image. The main projects included -

The launch of the Centenary BookThe Centenary ConcertThe Centenary Council MeetingOpen Week involving guided tours of all local authority facilities.

CourthousesLouth County Council oversaw themajor refurbishment of DundalkCourthouse at an estimated cost ofu10 million, a project which willclearly augment the renewal of theadjoining Town Hall. Similarly, the

new courthouse at Carlingfordrepresents another successfulpartnership arrangement as a newbranch library is housed in thesame building. Drogheda BoroughCouncil is making available a sitefor a new courthouse in that town.

Promotional VideoThis quality production willgreatly enhance the profile of thecounty in terms of marketabilityand promotion, both locally andoverseas.

76) Municipal Centre Drogheda