Governance and Administration

Local authorities publish annual reports giving details of their activities, achievements and performance across each service area.

Local authority audit committees publish annual reports which contain details of financial and budgetary management reporting, internal audit controls, risk management and corporate governance.

Local authorities publish byelaws which outline the rules that apply to cemeteries, parking, speed limits, casual trading, the control of dogs and horses, and other service areas.

Local authorities publish monthly and quarterly updates from their chief executives on activities, progress and statistics in each local authority service area.

Local authorities publish statements outlining their duty and commitment to safeguard children in the delivery of local authority services by promoting the general welfare, health and safety of children, developing safe management and guidance procedures, and appointing Designated Child Protection Liaison Officers.

Local authorities provide up to date information to the public about services, activities and events through various media channels including websites, social media platforms, radio, press releases, and alert services.

Local authorities publish five year plans to outline their vision, policies and objectives for the local authority's long term direction.

Local authorities publish minutes of council and other public meetings to inform the public about council activities and serve as a record of official council business.

Local authorities may prepare information guidelines for holding events on local authority property.

Local authorities publish public notices to inform people about public consultations, road works and closures, the Register of Electors, compulsory purchase of lands, the setting of commercial rates, and other activities.

Local authorities publish annual plans to outline the actions they intend to take to meet their commitments to deliver high-quality and efficient services.

Local authorities publish standing orders to outline the rules that govern council meetings.

Local authorities publish schemes to describe how they set up and manage strategic policy committees.

Local authorities support audit committees to review and monitor financial reporting processes, internal audit controls, risk management, the findings and recommendations of the National Oversight Audit Committee, and the local authority's response to these.

Local authorities publish a public register of councillor attendance at council meetings, committee meetings, training and conferences.

Local authorities publish annual statements to provide details of political donations councillors received during the previous year.

Local authorities publish a public register of payments to councillors including salaries, allowances, travel and subsistence, and training and conference expenses.

Local authorities maintain a register of officials who are authorised to provide information to the public and lobbyists.

Local authorities publish national codes of conduct for local authority employees and councillors to protect public confidence in local government.

Local authorities publish reports to provide details of how they comply with the Public Spending Code to maintain proper standards and get value for money where public money is being spent or invested.

Local authorities maintain a public register which provides details of financial and other interests disclosed by councillors and relevant council employees to uphold standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.

Local authorities may open books of condolence to allow the public to express their sympathy when a public figure dies or a major tragic event happens.

Local authorities may host civic receptions to recognise an individual's, group's or organisation's achievements and contribution to society at local, national or international level.

You can comment or object to a local authority's proposal to create byelaws for certain service areas. These areas include burial grounds, parking, speed limits, casual trading, and the control of dogs and horses.

Local authorities publish the names, contact information and political parties of councillors on local authority websites and various publications.

You can send a written complaint to the local authority if you feel you have been treated unfairly or not in line with the local authority's customer service charter.

Local authorities publish guides outlining their standards for customer service delivery, how they will monitor and improve service, the responsibilities of customers when using local authority services, and how to you can make a complaint.

Local authorities publish charters outlining their commitment to provide high quality customer service, the responsibilities of customers when using services, and what you as a customer may do if you are unhappy with the standard of service provided to you.

Local authorities respond to customer requests such as how to apply for a service, pay for a service, report an issue, make an observation or receive service information.

Local authorities may provide an emergency response phoneline where the public may report emergencies involving flooding, road maintenance, traffic and environmental issues.

Local authorities may publish the names, contact details and political parties of local Oireachtas members on local authority websites and in publications.

Local authorities may provide online portals where you can take part in the public consultation process. You can do this by registering to view or search open or upcoming consultations, or submit an observation.

Local authorities respond to requests from councillors and Oireachtas members on behalf of members of the public about local authority services they want to access or which may affect them.

Local authorities work with their service users to understand their needs, redesign services and develop ways to improve access to and deliver better local authority services.

Minutes and Agendas for Carlow County Councils Monthly meetings

Local authorities support the Cathaoirleach (chair person) and mayor by managing invitations to functions, hosting delegations and civic receptions, and supporting the official business of the office.

Local authorities support councillors in their role as elected representatives and policy makers by providing information about day to day local authority services, responding to questions and notices of motion, and supporting their work on council committees.

Local authorities coordinate meetings to facilitate councillors to vote in Seanad elections and put forward nominations for candidates for presidential elections.

Local authorities support the appointment of coroners to investigate the cause of sudden and unexplained deaths and issue death certificates to the next-of-kin.

Local authorities prepare five year plans to outline their vision, policies and objectives for the local authority's long term direction. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.

Local authorities, together with other stakeholders, may prepare plans to develop, preserve and promote the Irish language. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.

Local authorities prepare language schemes for delivering services through Irish. You can have an input into the schemes through consultation.

Local authorities set up and support corporate policy groups to coordinate the work carried out by strategic policy committees and recommend agreed overall policy to the council.

Local authorities may provide webcasts of council, municipal district and local area committee meetings that you can view live or from an archive.

Local authorities hold various meetings to conduct their official business which you and news media may attend.

Local authorities set up policy committees where elected councillors and representatives from social, economic, cultural, environmental, community and voluntary groups may advise on, develop and review council policy.

Local authorities may provide reports and information on corporate matters to government departments and other agencies.

Local authorities collect corporate data and give it to relevant agencies.

Local authorities may provide information on health and safety to government departments and other agencies.

Local authorities collect health and safety data and give it to relevant agencies.

You can send the local authority a request to access your personal data, to check if data about you exists, be told of the content and source of personal data, and update, correct or delete your personal data.

Local authorities publish a disclosures log to provide details of all non personal Freedom of Information requests they receive and the decision in response to these requests.

Local authorities publish schemes to outline their commitment to make information available to the public outside of information provided under Freedom of Information law. This includes information about the local authority structure and its management, the services it provides, decisions and financial information.

You can send the local authority a request to access official records. You can also ask that your personal records are amended or deleted if they are incorrect or misleading. You have the right to request reasons for decisions taken by the local authority which affect you and the right to appeal the decision.

Local authorities respond to the Office of the Ombudsman about complaints from the public relating to unresolved issues with the local authority such as an undue delay failing to take action on local authority matters.

You must write to the local authority to ask for permission to release and re-use public sector information it holds that you wish to use.

Local authorities, together with other stakeholders, manage public health and safety by regularly inspecting local authority buildings and work activities, investigating accidents and incidents and taking appropriate action.

You can request a local authority to provide services through the Irish language.

Local authorities may support community organisations to develop plans for Language Planning Areas and Irish Language Networks to promote the use of the Irish language in Gaeltacht these areas. Language Planning Areas (within and outside the Gaeltacht) are designated areas in the Gaeltacht.

Local authorities manage local elections where successful candidates are elected to the council to represent their community as councillors for five years.

Local authorities prepare plans to identify electoral areas, electoral divisions, polling districts and townlands for Dáil (national parliament) and local elections, and the appointed polling place for each polling district. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.

Local authorities publish details of electoral areas, electoral divisions, polling districts and townlands for Dáil (national parliament) and local elections, and the appointed polling place for each polling district.

Local authorities publish a public register of all eligible and registered people entitled to vote in local, national and European elections and referenda.

You can apply to the local authority to be included in the Register of Electors and Supplement Register if you are eligible to vote in local, national and European elections and referenda. You can also ask for your personal information to be updated or corrected or ask for a special or postal vote.

Local authorities publish guides in Irish, English and some European languages to explain how the Irish voting system works and how the public can to exercise their right to vote.

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