St. Joseph’s Road, Ballyvaughan Named Best Kept Local Authority Estate 2008

The North Clare estate achieved the highest marks of 22 participating estates in the 6th annual competition.

St Joseph’s Road was also named winner of Category 1 (for estates consisting of 1-30 houses), Station Road, Lahinch was first in Category 2 (for estates consisting of 31-50 houses) and Rooska, Lisdoonvarna topped Category C (for estates consisting of 51 or more Houses). Each category winner was presented with a cheque for EUR600 while the overall winner received an additional EUR500.

Other winners on the night included Kilnasoolagh Park in Newmarket-on-Fergus for Best New Entrant (EUR200) and Bishop Murphy Park in Parteen for Most Improved Estate (EUR200). Meanwhile, Lower Main Street Tulla won the Green Estate Award (EUR200).

Commenting on this year’s competition, Cllr. Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, Mayor of Clare said, ‘On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare I would like to congratulate the residents’ groups for participating in the competition for the Best Kept Estate.’

She continued, ‘All participants are to be complimented for the huge effort they have put in to making their resident group work, and for enhancing their estates. Selflessness and generosity of spirit such as theirs is what makes their place a better place to live. The example set by them for other members of the community, children and young people in particular, is of great benefit to their area. It is a case of leading by example, and in all cases this has been done by the resident groups of each estate.’

‘The Council, both staff and members, deeply appreciate the efforts of tenants to improve and enhance their own estate and we extend our appreciation and thanks to them for their work’, added the Mayor.

Councillor Joe Arkins, Cathaoirleach of the Housing and Social Policy Committee, who presented the awards for the Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition 2008, commended the residents in each of the estates for their achievements, which involved the enhancement of the appearance and presentation of dwellings and open spaces within their estates.

He acknowledged the commitments shown by residents, including young people in each estate.

‘This Awards Ceremony is about celebrating and honouring community development, tenant action and good estate management practices in housing estates in County Clare. The work the residents’ groups do not only helps to improve their respective locations from a physical perspective, but also engenders a spirit of community pride and belonging. The idea of instilling pride of place and a sense of community in children is especially important’, he explained.

All entrants were marked against strict adjudication criteria that included
· Resident Involvement
· Litter control/litter awareness projects/recycling initiatives
· General Environmental projects/wildlife
· General appearance and presentation of dwellings and open spaces.

Nora Kaye, Senior Executive Officer of Housing, added, ‘Clare County Council is extremely pleased with the excellent standards achieved by all entrants and especially to the two new entrants this year. It is important to reward communities in our estates for their involvement in improving their environment and the quality of life of residents within their estates.’

Ms. Kaye continued, ‘The Council is committed to implementing an Estate Management Strategy to improve the appearance of estates and indeed the quality of life of the residents within their estates. This Strategy is very much dependant on involvement of residents so much so that it will not be successful without their co-operation and involvement. It’s success hinges on residents working together with our Estate Managers to make their area a better place in which to live.’

She emphasised the Council’s goal is to create sustainable communities in Local Authority estates and improve the quality of life of all residents and the appearance of estates throughout the County.

‘It is through the Best Kept Local Authority Estates competition that we are given the opportunity to demonstrate this by acknowledging and encouraging those who share this spirit’ concluded Ms. Kaye.

Further information on the Best Kept Local Authority Estates Competition is available from Estate Management Unit, Housing and Social Policy Directorate, Clare County Council, New Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel No. 6846520 or email estatemgt@clarecoco.ie

-ENDS-

Note To Editor:
For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
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