Kilkenny PPN Representative Report on SPC3 Meeting

Reporting Representative Name:   Mary T. Brennan (Environmental Pillar)

Committee:  SPC3

Date:  April 17th 2019                      Time:  14 h                                         Venue:  County Hall, John Street

Key Issues

  1. Decade of Centenaries: KCC received an allocation of €10, 000 to support community based commemorative activities.  The Council’s Cultural Services Team have agreed to fund five events – Library Lecture Series, Pat Walsh Commemorative Event, South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture programme, Home Rule historical lectures, and Historian in Residence at the KCC Library Service.
  2. Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy Update. The County Council’s submission seeks recognition for an economic corridor along Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Dublin route.  A discussion on economic development followed which emphasized the following:  Need for apprenticeship courses to address the shortage of skills in the building industry;  Provision of third level education in Kilkenny;  Increased provision of affordable housing;  Need for improved infrastructure e.g. upgraded sewage systems in villages.
  3. Vacant Site Levy Update: The register lists 30 sites and now covers Kilkenny City, Thomastown, Callan and Castlecomer.  Payment plans have been issued for 2018 and evaluation is underway for 2019.  The poor uptake of rental space over shops in the city was discussed, the main challenge appears to be the large cost of bringing the space back into residential use.  The Chamber of Commerce makes arrangements for use of window space in vacant premises.
  4. City & County Development Plan update: Public engagement with this is on hold until the autumn.  Work is continuing on wind strategy, a masterplan for the western environs of the city, a masterplan for St Canice’s Hospital, a Local Area plan for Graiguenamanagh.

Decisions made:  Recommended request for more funding for Decade of Centenaries.

Did you make any contributions to this meeting?  Comments on No. 2 & 4 above.

Do you require feedback from the PPN on any issue raised?  No

Date of next meeting:  Will not be set until after local elections.

Signature:  Mary T. Brennan