For Immediate Release.
Drogheda Borough Council shortlisted for two Excellence in Local Government Awards
Drogheda Borough Council has been nominated for two awards in the sixth annual Excellence in Local Government Awards to be presented on October 28 by Chambers Ireland in association with the Department of the Environment, Heritage, Local Government.
The Council is shortlisted for the Arts & Culture Award in recognition of its organisation and support of Drogheda Arts Festival while a further short-listing under the Waste Management Award arises from the Council’s work with Drogheda Breakfast Club on the ‘Big Hog’ food waste recycling project in Rathmullen.
Held over six days in early May each year since 2004, the Drogheda Arts Festival features exhibitions and performances across a range of genres by local, national and international artists. Driven by Drogheda Borough Council and Louth Local Authorities, the festival involves a partnership with local arts organisations including Droichead Arts Centre and Highlanes Gallery while the business community is also increasingly involved through active engagement with Drogheda & District Chamber.
Welcoming the double short-listing, Cllr Michael O’Dowd, Mayor of Drogheda said: “Local authorities face particular challenges in service delivery given the current state of their finances. This recognition of Drogheda Borough Council for two particular strands of work is particularly welcome given the ongoing need to work in partnership with communities and business to deliver at a local level. It is all about building lasting relationships that deliver for all the parties involved and this Council is committed to continued innovation in how we work with external partners.”
Des Foley, Town Clerk, Drogheda Borough Council added: “The elected members and staff of the Council work hard to deliver a wide array of services efficiently and cost-effectively. This short-listing for two national awards is welcome acknowledgment of some of the work done in serving the local community. There is no doubt that – in common with other public bodies – this and other local authorities face pressures at this time but that only makes us more determined to continue working to deliver for Drogheda.”
Commenting on the arts and culture short-listing, Patricia Rooney, President, Drogheda & District Chamber said the Chamber is “delighted” to see the Council’s work recognised. “The commitment to the arts in Drogheda is exceptional. The annual arts festival goes from strength to strength and is now well established. The Council is to be commended for committing resources and finance to the arts – especially at a time of straitened finances when it can perhaps seem a soft target.”
Media contact: Brian Nolan, Bance Nolan Ltd – (086) 819 1730.
