County Mayor's Diary

By Cllr Mary Linehan Foley

Last week saw a crucial development for Cork county with the publication of the Draft Cork County Development Plan 2021.

This draft plan was prepared through an intensive process which included 46 formal meeting between elected members of council, including myself, my fellow councillors and the executive, which is the organisation and its employees led by Chief Executive Tim Lucey.

Alongside our input, a public consultation process sought views on strategic matters before the draft was completed, and my colleagues in Cork County Council and I are seeking your views again in relation to this draft.

This is a crucial document, which will have lasting impacts on the county as a whole. The draft consists of seven volumes, each covering different policy and geographical areas. To view and provide feedback, visit Cork County Council’s website corkcoco.ie, to find the policy or geographical area relevant to you and your interests.

This past year has shown us how collaboration between communities and the council can yield incredible results, with initiatives like Cork County Council’s Covid-19 Community Call, Project ACT – Activating County Towns and A Real Cork Christmas enabling us all to rise to the challenges we faced together. The County Development Plan 2022-2028 will be our opportunity to plan ahead, to consider how we want to respond to local, national and global developments as a county and to work together to secure the best future for Cork county.

In the meantime, many of us are availing of the easing of restrictions and recent good weather to connect with and enjoy the wonderful outdoor spaces and amenities. It’s vital that as we enjoy the outdoors, we continue to do our part to curb the spread of Covid-19. We need to ensure that we continue to observe social distancing, coughing etiquette and handwashing.

We especially need to be conscious of avoiding large crowds, in which the disease can spread. If we let up our guard now, we risk undermining the work we have done so far and the prospect of local businesses resuming operations this summer. For your own health and that of others, and for your local community and economy, please remain vigilant.

We also need to do our part when it comes to littering. Cork County Council has embarked on a new campaign, Be Proud, Be Sound and Help Keep Cork County Clean.

Enjoying outdoor areas and new outdoor amenities adapted for the pandemic puts an onus on each of us to clean up after ourselves. Please dispose of your waste responsibly or take it home with you, and make sure those travelling with you do the same. The council will work hard to keep amenities clean, but we will need your support.

Let’s continue to look out for one another and look forward with hope to a good summer.