Waterford City and County Council has set the Local Property Tax varied for 2019 unchanged from the level that applied for 2018 i.e. No change in charge for households over that which applied in 2018.
In pursuance of the provisions of section 20 of the FINANCE (LOCAL PROPERTY TAX) ACT 2012 (as amended), I the undersigned, hereby notify the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government of the passing of a resolution at a meeting of the above mentioned local authority on the 25th September 2018 to the effect that the basic rate of local property tax should stand varied upwards by two and half per cent (2.5%) for the year 2019 in respect of relevant residential properties situated in the local authority’s administrative area.
Signed:
Michael Walsh Chief Executive Dated: 26th September 2018
Over 150 houses and apartments have been allocated through Waterford City & County Council’s Choice Based Letting system since it was introduced in September 2016.
From next year over 80% of the Council’s allocations will be made through Choice Based Letting.
Approved applicants for social housing, including HAP tenants, can apply on Choice Based Letting, where the applicant themselves indicates a property or properties they are interested in being housed in.
If you are approved for social housing then you should express an interest on the online system to be considered for a housing allocation.
On Thursday 27th September, the Local Community Development Committees of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford will collectively launch a Tobacco Free Positive Message Campaign across the region. This campaign is a direct outcome of partnership working between the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), the HSE, Health and Wellbeing, Youth Reach and Youth Services from across the south east and is funded under Healthy Ireland Strand 1 funding. The regional tobacco free action sets out to increase awareness and knowledge of the benefits of being tobacco free through the provision of training and a positive message campaign with young people from across the region.
The positive message campaign provides information about how to QUIT, what support is available, how to access support www.QUIT.ie and the rewards of quitting. The overall positive message campaign includes XHale training which was provided by the Irish Cancer Society and was completed by participants and staff in youth reach and out of school settings. This training provides participants with the skills, confidence and materials they need to tackle smoking issues in their youth setting and provides a framework for facilitating a broad range of smoking prevention sessions in an engaging and empowering way with young people. In addition, young people also participated in the Irish Cancer Society Xhale media training programme. Youth organisations from across the region produced tobacco free videos which were showcased at the XHale media awards in the Helix Dublin on July 5th and will also be showcased at the regional tobacco free launch on September 27th.
The positive message campaign set out to move away from the traditional no smoking messages to messages which includes ‘you can achieve’, ‘take the first steps to a healthier life’, and ‘reach out for help’.
The development of a stencil using the message “Reach out for Help’ aims to reinforce the positive message of being tobacco free and is intended to be used across the 5 counties on the same day on key dates throughout the year. Within each county, participating partners are being invited to participate in the stencil campaign and are asked to use the stencil to display this positive message using spray paint on 27th September 2018, and annually thereafter on Ash Wednesday, World No Tobacco day on May 31st and again on 1st October.
Cllr John O’Leary, Deputy Mayor, Waterford City & County Council, welcomed this initiative, thanked all those organisations involved and congratulated all the young people who engaged with the “We Can Quit” programme.
Dr. Derval Howley (Head of Service, Health and Wellbeing South East Community Healthcare) said the Health services across the south east were delighted to be working closely with the Local Community Development Committees in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford and youth services from across the region to promote the importance of being tobacco free.
Participating locations in each county include local civic offices, public libraries, the Waterford Greenway, public parks, primary care and HSE facilities, secondary and third level education providers, sports facilities and youth services across the region. The launch of the Positive Message campaign will take place across the South East on Thursday 27th of September at the following locations:
Carlow Town Hall, Carlow 3pm
Kilkenny The Watershed, Kilkenny 11am
Tipperary Primary Care Centre, Tipperary Town 11am
Vikings star Moe Dunford will launch the ‘Vikings in Focus’ photo exhibition at the Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan on Culture Night Friday 21st September 2018 at 7.30pm.
This is an exhibition of spectacular ‘behind the scenes’ photo stills taken on the set of internationally acclaimed television series ‘Vikings’ by official photographers Jonathan Hession and Bernard Walsh, who were the official still photographers on the first two series. Dungarvan’s Moe Dunford appeared in the Vikings series in the role of Aethelwulf.
Moe is currently appearing as Fitzgibbon in BLACK 47 directed by Lance Daly for Fastnet Films which premiered at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival and in the Dublin International Film Festival. He is also filming the male lead (John Paul) opposite Sarah Greene in Roddy Doyle’s new feature film ROSIE directed by Paddy Breathnach for Element Films and due for release in 2019.
The continuation of ‘Vikings’ into a sixth series shows how hugely successful the series is in the USA, Canada, UK as well as Scandinavia and Russia. Last year Executive Producer Morgan O’Sullivan picked up an IFTA for Vikings which won Best Drama series. The series was also nominated across several other categories including Best Supporting Actor for Moe Dunford, Best Director Drama for Ciaran Donnelly, Best Production Design for Mark Geraghty and it also won an IFTA for Best Makeup & Hair, a well deserved feat for the outstanding art department and hair & makeup element of the show that at times sees an extensive array of actors and over 600 extras made up for scenes and battle ensembles.
The Old Market House Arts Centre is pleased to host this exhibition until Saturday November 3rd 2018 which is supported by Wicklow County Council in partnership with World 2000 and the Mermaid Arts Centre. All are welcome to come along on Culture Night from 7.30pm to see the stunning images and to enjoy some music.
Admission is free agus tá fáilte roimh gach éinne.
Please note that Waterford City and County Council Dog Shelter, Bilberry, Waterford will be closed from today Tuesday, 18th September, 2018 until further notice. This is to facilitate building works at the Dog Shelter.
A poignant memorial, consisting of a steel girder from the rubble of New York’s former World Trade Center, has been erected in Waterford to remember all those who lost their lives on September 11th 2001.
Local glassworker Seán Egan was instrumental in the project which received support from Waterford City & County Council, local businesses and the Emergency Services. He had earlier worked on a commemorative piece featuring a 9/11 scene, which was donated to the Fire Department of New York City by Seán and Waterford Crystal.
Upon a further meeting with Brewster, Massachusetts Fire Chief, Robert Moran when Egan was working on a sculpture commemorating the Boston Marathon bombings, the subject of acquiring a piece of steel from 9/11 for a memorial in Waterford arose. Seán, who has built up a relationship with the FDNY, commented:
“We sincerely hope that the memorial is a fitting tribute to the first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 many of whom have Irish connections and it is also in honour of our own first responders who keep us safe”.
The well attended ceremony, which took place on September 16th in glorious weather at Waterford’s Bishop’s Palace, was addressed by Mayor of Waterford City & County, Declan Doocey and retired Chief of the Mount Kisco Fire Department, Ralph Ingenieri, who was accompanied by his wife Rose and other members of the FDNY. Many members of Waterford’s Emergency Services were also in attendance. Mayor Doocey added:
” We sincerely hope that this memorial is a fitting tribute to all those who died on 9/11/2001 including, 343 New York City Fire Department, 37 Port Authority Police Department members and many other first responders.”
Waterford City & County Council will not have phone coverage on this Saturday afternoon, 15th September 2018, from 12 noon to approx. 5pm, due to a systems upgrade.
In an emergency, please contact 999 or the Emergency Services. Our email contact@waterfordcouncil.ie will also be monitored during this time.
An anti-dumping campaign was launched this week at Saleens Beach by Deputy Plenary
Mayor Cllr. John O’Leary. The campaign encourages householders to ask for a waste
collection permit before giving their waste to anyone for disposal. A short animated video
was produced by Waterford City & County Council for use on social media and YouTube.
There was also an accompanying radio campaign.
These highlighted the need to check for a waste collection permit which can be done by
visiting the National Waste Collection Permit Office’s website www.nwcpo.ie or by
contacting the Environment Section of Waterford City and County Council. Funded
through the national anti-dumping initiative, it is hoped to see a decrease in illegal
dumping of waste through this project.
“Anyone engaged in the collection of waste is required to have a waste collection permit”,
commented Niall Kane, Senior Executive Engineer with Waterford City & County Council.
“Unauthorised waste collectors often engage in illegal dumping and you are still
responsible. Before you give waste to anyone, ask to see their waste collection permit.
Any vehicles from authorised waste collectors must have their name and waste collection
permit number on it. Any of their advertisements must also give their name and waste
collection permit number. We each have an obligation only to give our waste to an
authorised collector.”
“Waterford City and County Council recently prosecuted an illegal waste collector for the
illegal collection and disposal of waste” Mr Kane went on to say. “They were ordered to
pay approximately €5500 in court fines and legal costs. Through the ongoing work of our
Environmental Inspectors and the use of CCTV and hidden cameras, we have issued 146
litter fines so far this year. We would encourage anyone in doubt of their waste collector
to check their permit on www.nwcpo.ie or phone us at 0761 102020 to ask if they have a
permit to collect your waste.”
WATERFORD CITY & COUNTY COUNCIL INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR ARTS PRACTICE AND VENUE GRANTS 2019
Arts Practise Grants Waterford City & County Council is pleased to invite online applications for their 2019 Arts Grants Scheme. For full details of the available grants and their application forms go to waterfordarts.com and in the menu click on Arts Grants / Deontais Ealaíon.
The five Arts Act grants available under this application are:
• Voluntary/Amateur Grants
• Professional Project Grants
• Rural Artist’s Grants
• Playwright & Producer Team
• Screenwriter & Producer Team
Arts Venues
The application process will be open shortly for Arts Grants funding to Council developed Venues for 2019. Details and downloadable application forms are also available at https://wp.me/p2DEIB-4An
Completed application forms for Arts Venue Grants must be on MS Word and sent as an attachment to conornolan@waterfordcouncil.ie see waterfordarts.com for details.
Physical support documentation should be addressed to Conor Nolan, Waterford Council Customer Care Desk, Bailey’s New Street, Waterford by October 2nd at 4pm.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications for these schemes is 4pm Monday October 1st 2018. Please note grants for individual artists will be under Waterford’s Artlinks Bursaries 2019. These bursaries will be announced later.
“Working Together to Prevent Suicide” is the theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day.
Today, September 10th 2018, is ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’.
The national Suicide Prevention Campaign ‘Little Things’ has three core messages:
It’s okay not to be okay;
there are little things that you can do for yourself and for other people; and
help is at hand by calling Samaritans free listening service on 116 123 or by visiting yourmentalhealth.ie
Suicide is a community issue and is everyone’s business. No one should suffer alone and together we can fight suicide and reach out to others when they are in need.
If a friend or family member is going through a difficult time, offering a listening ear when they need to talk will make a big difference for them and for you. It can be a huge relief for the other person to know you are there. They may feel such relief that the problem may resolve itself by talking it out with you. People often want to talk but find it hard to start the conversation.
If you are worried that someone is thinking about suicide, don’t be afraid to ask the direct question – are they suicidal? The best you can do is to listen to them without judgement or blame.
Remember that there are many other supports and services available if you are struggling with your mental health.
Tributes have poured into City Hall on the passing of Cllr. John Carey, Councillor at Waterford City and County Council. A Book of Condolences has opened at City Hall, from today Monday 10th September 2018.
Councillor Declan Doocey, Mayor of the City and County of Waterford said “It’s a sad day for Waterford. John was a great friend to all of his colleagues on the Council regardless of party affiliation.”
The Mayor extended his sympathies to John’s wife Ann, his sons Seán, Kieran and Liam, his daughters Nancy and Sharon, his family and to his constituents.
The Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, Michael Walsh, added “John was an experienced and dedicated public representative who served the people of Waterford since 1979. He was Mayor of Waterford County Council on two occasions, first in 1985 and again in 2004, and his work with the Waterford Harbour Commissioners on the Waterford Estuary was part of his everyday life.”
Speaking of her Fine Gael colleague, Cllr. Lola O’Sullivan said “He was a true friend of the people, a man who made public representation first and foremost in all he did. He will be sadly missed by his family, his colleagues on Waterford City and County Council and by his constituents.”
Tributes have continued to be made throughout the morning as the Book of Condolences remains open at City Hall, The Mall, Waterford City and will remain open until Friday 14th September at 5pm.
