Housing and roads are key priorities in county council’s €344m budget

THE elected members of Cork County Council have passed a budget for Cork County Council totalling nearly €344 million for 2019.

The budget retains a number of important initiatives, including the town development fund, village enhancement fund, the arts programme, planned housing maintenance and entrance & presentation of towns.

Of the budget, €57 million has been allocated to Housing and Building, €84 million to road transport and safety, and €29 million to recreation and amenity, each having been increased significantly from last year.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy highlighted the importance of delivering a budget which would continue to deliver on the success of a number of these projects for the people of Cork, “Everything we do as a council is about achieving the very best value in expenditure while creating real differences for the people who live and work in Cork,” he said.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey said that the council has identified housing and roads incorporating public area maintenance as key priorities for 2019. There will be an increased spend on homeless services and housing and adaptation grants. A new planned maintenance programme for the council’s housing stock has been proposed for 2019.

Public lighting will receive over €400,000 with €1.1m provided for town approaches and the roadside maintenance programme. School wardens budget is also increased.

“As a council, we continue to deliver significant efficiencies and maintain consistently high levels of service. We also continue to seek efficiencies in the delivery of services while ensuring success for Cork County Council as an organisation, all the while operating in a challenging climate,” he said.

Additional budgetary resources have also been allocated through matched funding for the key initiatives: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure scheme and Urban and Village renewal scheme.

Both Fire Services and the Age Friendly programme received increases while the economic development fund increased to €1.33m.