Arklow hosts hundreds of local government officials
THE Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) welcomed hundreds of councillors from across the country to Arklow as its annual training conference took place in the Arklow Bay Hotel.
The conference, held over twodays on February 14 and 15, centred around the theme of ‘The 21st Century Councillor in Irish Local Government’, inspired by the recently launched research report commissioned by AILG from Maynooth University and the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD). It was the first time the annual training conference was ever held in Co Wicklow.
The conference commenced with a distinguished panel of speakers, including AILG President and Wicklow County Council member, Cllr Gail Dunne, who praised the research report as a reflection of AILG’s commitment to shedding light on the contemporary issues and trends in the work of councillors.
Wicklow County Council CEO Emer O’Gorman emphasised the crucial relationship between elected members and council staff, underlining the pivotal role of councillors in effective executive functioning.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy who, in considering some of the issues raised in the report, called on councillors to ensure they build a culture in their own chambers that is inclusive and welcoming, because, despite the erosion of the councillor’s remit, it remains in their power to make their councils safe spaces.
Several important local government discussions took place throughout the training conference, which was delivered by the AILG, who provide tailored training and education programmes to the 949 city and county councillors across Ireland.
Representatives from the Land Development Agency (LDA) engaged councillors on their initiatives concerning affordable and social housing.
Noteworthy examples included the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, aimed at assisting the “squeezed middle” demographic seeking homeownership, and the LDA’s comprehensive register of public lands for sustainable housing development.
The conference concluded with targeted training sessions for councillors in anticipation of the upcoming local elections.
Topics ranged from election expenditure limits to leveraging community radio for campaigning and utilising communication tools to amplify campaign messages in the lead-up to the June local elections.
Minister Stephen Donnelly TD, Minister for Health, delivered the closing remarks to conclude the conference alongside AILG President Cllr. Dunne, recognising the invaluable research commissioned by AILG on councillors’ roles and challenges.