At a meeting of Cork County Council held in County Hall this week, the elected members approved a proposal which will see Cork County Council making a formal statutory offer to cede lands to Cork City Council. Members were unanimous in their support for the proposal, saying that this approach will hopefully encourage Cork City Council to engage with the County with a view to determining an appropriate and sensible boundary alteration.
The County Mayor, Councillor Declan Hurley, commented:
“Cork County Council’s offer provides for a natural expansion of Cork City. It focuses on transferring areas which have a natural affiliation with the City, while at the same time preserving the integrity of communities in areas such as Ballincollig, Blarney, Carrigtwohill, and rural areas”.
The proposal, if implemented, would see a near doubling in the size of the City’s footprint, with Cork City Council becoming responsible for a population of c. 165,000 people (an increase of 31% on their current population). This population transfer equates to almost 40,000 people and would represent the single most significant local authority expansion in the state in recent decades.
The County Mayor continued:
“Cork County Council is determined to bring this matter to a timely conclusion. By taking this initiative, Cork County Council is hopeful that the City Council will engage and enter into discussions with the County on agreeing a way forward. The proposal put forward is sensible and logical, and forms a basis for the two parties to come together to make progress. We will also have the benefit of public consultation. Cork County Council is currently putting the necessary arrangements in place, and more information will follow later this week regarding same.
“I am very mindful of the bigger picture. What I am saying is that we must respect the need to provide certainty to the citizens and businesses across all of Cork in relation to future developments. The future ability of both Councils to provide the highest levels of service across their respective areas should be a key cornerstone, and while there are difficult decisions ahead, I am confident that both Councils will work together to do what is best for the entire Cork region.”
