Cork City Council to set up committee to help 'maintain, resource, and develop' city centre

Small-scale initiatives such as power washing of bridges and parapet railings, the removal of weeds, as well as the co-ordination of night markets and late coffee houses have begun

A new committee needs to be established within Cork City Council to help transform the city into an attractive destination for work, living, studying, and investing, the council's chief executive has said.

Last February, the council established the city development and operations directorate (CCDOD) as a “start-up business project" to help “maintain, resource, and develop a city centre". 

A report given to city councillors highlighted short-term initiatives that have been carried out by the directorate, along with an action plan which will be introduced later in the year.

Chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan said that a new council committee would need to be created to help implement its programmes and policies before reporting to the full council.

Ms O’Sullivan said the work to date “will culminate in a programme of short-term operational changes, medium-term improvements, and strategic planning/investment opportunities, and these are now in development".

“It will also bring forward a series of policies for consideration as the programmes get underway,” she said.

The update said both the city centre cleansing operations, as well as the tourism and night-time economy sections, have been transferred to the directorate.

“In parallel, the council is prioritising the establishment of a multi-disciplinary team within the CCDOD which will provide for a wider range of services in terms of the presentation of the city,” Ms O’Sullivan added.

Active recruitment

Recruitment for a small number of positions within the directorate is currently underway, and the appointment for city wardens — who will guide individuals within the city — is set to occur by the end of October.

Some small-scale initiatives under the directorate, including power washing of bridges and parapet railings, the removal of weeds, as well as the co-ordination of night markets and late coffee houses have begun.

Additionally, an installation of hoarding along the old railway line on Alfred St has seen an enhanced “line of sight".

The report said that hanging baskets along bridges and railings have also helped with the presentation of the city.

A painting grant scheme for North Main St is also set to be delivered alongside already supported cleaning and greening initiatives on North Main St and Oliver Plunket St, which was organised by the Cork Business Association.

The directorate is also set to bring forward an additional grant scheme to encourage the enhancement of shop fronts, especially in the main retail areas of the city centre.

Ms O’Sullivan said that, as Ireland’s second city, the focus and resources from this initiative are required to “ensure that this council is equipped to present and develop the city to its full potential".

“Cork is not a regional city, it is the location on which Ireland will depend in the years ahead to deliver national growth targets in terms of population and employment.

“It is the city most capable of such growth, thereby providing the required counter-balance to the capital at scale on this island,” she added.

An action plan is due to be brought forward for the directorate later in the year, which is set to outline the framework — including short and medium-term deliveries as well as act as an aid to secure funding.