Council initiatives shortlisted for local government awards
THE ROUND Tower in Clondalkin and MedEx Health Programme are among six South Dublin County Council initiatives shortlisted for this year’s Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards.
The upcoming ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 22 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood Park, Dublin 9.
The Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards is held annually in association with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
The awards showcase best practice in local government and recognises innovation and dedication within the sector.
This year, six South Dublin County Council initiatives have been shortlisted in separate categories.
The Round Tower, Clondalkin is shortlisted for Heritage and Built Environment. The 7th Century Round Tower Visitor Centre was conceived by South Dublin County Council in collaboration with the Office of Public Works and the local community to respond to the history of the site.
The centre comprises the conservation and refurbishment of five derelict 19th Century Mill Cottages with a new civic plaza.
MedEx Health Programme is shortlisted for Health and Wellbeing. MedEx Health Programme is a community-based rehabilitation programme that offers structured and supervised exercise classes to enable people to exercise in order to maintain or gain fitness after treatment.
Flavours of South Dublin Food Festival 2017 is shortlisted for Festival of the Year. The Flavours of South Dublin Food Festival took place in the grounds of Rathfarnham Castle and showcases the very best cuisine from the locality whilst aiming to highlight the diversity and vibrancy of the food culture in the county.
Living With Trees
‘Living With Trees’ South Dublin County Council’s Tree Management Policy 2015-2020 is shortlisted for Sustainable Environment. South Dublin County Council recognises trees as an important living asset that requires ongoing renewal and management for their long-term sustainability and community benefit.
‘Living With Trees’ provides a framework to support decisions made on the management of a sustainable tree population in the County.
In My Days – Intergenerational Storytelling Project is shortlisted for Best Library Service. This project was piloted as part of South Dublin Libraries literacy development programme under the Right to Read Action Plan, which supports literacy development for individuals, families and children.
The project consisted of a series of workshops over a six-week period at Ballyroan Library, working with a group of boys from a local school, along with a group of elderly people from the community, some of whom were grandparents.
Art of storytelling
Over the six weeks the group was introduced to the art of storytelling and grandparents were encouraged to pass down stories and experiences from their own lives.
South Dublin County Council’s Fourth Generation Communications Network is shortlisted for Local Authority Innovation. In June of 2017, South Dublin County Council launched the fourth generation of its dedicated communications network in County Hall, Tallaght.
The Council’s control centre provides a communications link between the Council’s Traffic/Intelligent Transportation System infrastructure and facilities, parks, depots, playgrounds and other amenities.
Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, said: “The Excellence in Local Government Awards highlight just some of the fantastic initiatives South Dublin County Council have recently undertaken.
“Securing six nominations is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff.”
