Planning to ensure Longford is 'a safer, thriving and greener' county

Longford County Council's goals for the coming term were outlined to members at the December meeting of the authority.

Local authority members were given an overview of the Chief Executive Report on the Implementation of the Longford County Council Corporate Plan (2019-2024).

Longford County Council's Corporate Plan is a strategic framework for action and sets out the vision for County Longford. Under the Local Government Acts, each local authority is required to prepare a Corporate Plan.

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The local authority says the plan is “a commitment to serve, represent and lead the communities of the county”.

Addressing the members Chief Executive, Paddy Mahon, said the core of the plan is to ensure Longford is “a thriving county, a safer county, a greener county, a county for everyone”.

Mr Mahon pointed out that the new council was established following a very professional and well run local election. The local authority has recently established a budget for the coming year and it will feature an increase of seven million euro from 2024.

Among the many events and initiatives coordinated by Longford County Council to reinforce the local authority's commitment to environmental progression within local communities was the recent green space event in Edgeworthstown, the Post Primary tech awards and the draft area plans.

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The Corporate Plan also highlights some of the many successes in the area of the arts, including the development of a number of local festivals. Longford Lights, the redevelopment of Connolly Barracks, the Longford transport plan were all flagged as initiatives the local authority will put resources into in the coming year.

Mr Mahon told members that the expansion of online options for planning applications now sees 80% of planning is completed online. Roads, tourism and business support were identified as priorities for the council.

Under the banner of 'Safer County' Longford won a National Standards Authority of Ireland award, while the Community Safety Partnership saw improvement in the roll out of community CCTV projects.

Improving crime prevention, support for fire services, and road safety are all goals of the Corporate Plan.

“We are continuing to deliver energy efficient homes in our stock,” Mr Mahon told the meeting.

One of the areas highlighted to show a commitment to the ethos of “A County for Everyone” was in the integration of Ukrainian refugees to the local community. The launch of Longford Skatepark, the Longford Tourism Strategy, Climate Action Plan, hosting the National Famine Commemoration ceremony, and the Dead of Night Festival were mentioned as snapshots of initiatives Longford County Council delivered during the year.

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Cllr Mick Cahill said Mr Mahon's report highlighted the broad spread of tasks the council is involved in, but said there have been a number of “roadblocks” to specific Ballymahon projects.

Cllr Paul Ross said, “This comprehensive report shows the amount of work we do. Things do look good at the moment,” adding that the delivery of the new civic offices will be a large focus for the local authority in the coming term.

“It's good to reflect on the past success,” Cllr Ross said, “but we are looking forward to the future.”

Cllr Seamus Butler said he would like to emphasise how important it is to progress on the plans for the N4. “It's now one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the country. It's urgent that it progresses.”