KERRY PROJECTS MAKE EXCELLENCE SHORTLIST

FOUR community-minded Kerry projects have been shortlisted for the 2017 ‘Excellence in Local Government Awards’ which recognises the kind of best practice, skills, hard work, innovation and enthusiasm within local government projects that often goes unrecognised.

The four projects represent a cross-section of innovation across such categories as citizen engagement, economic development, sustainable environment, and the arts.

Among those shortlisted are the Milltown Community and Chamber Alliance for its promotion of citizen engagement which is supported by the Community Unit of Kerry County Council and the South and West Kerry Municipal District;

Taste Kerry - the Kerry Food Experience which promotes food and drink produce in Kerry is included under the Category of Promoting Economic Development, an initiative supported by the Council’s Local Enterprise Office;

‘Welcoming the Stranger’ which was performed at Banna in July 2016 as part of the Féile Fáilte festival, this project was shortlisted under the category of ‘Sustaining the Arts’, supported by KCC’s Arts Office.

Lastly, ‘The MacGillicuddy Reeks Habitat and Trail Repair Project’ – a Collaborative Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) initiative, supported by Kerry County Council’s under the Category of Sustainable Environment and leading to great improvements on the trails into the heights of the Reeks is also in the running.

The overall winners will be announced at the Annual Awards Ceremony in Dublin on 23 November.

All shortlisted projects will receive a Citation of Best Practice and each local authority is considered for the Local Authority of the Year Award.