The Good Practice in Local Government seminar was held on the 13th of February 2025 at Kilkenny Castle, showcasing innovative projects from six local authorities across Ireland. This was the seventh Good Practice in Local Government Seminar organised by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC), in collaboration with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA).Over the years, the Seminar has become a focal point in bringing together the local government sector and showcasing where good practice can be demonstrated, shared and be reproduced where appropriate. The event also offers an opportunity for attendees to discuss the wide variety of projects and initiatives on show and delve further into how they might be applied in other local authorities, thus allowing for the delivery of ever improving public services in Ireland.
The seminar featured six standout projects, each demonstrating innovative approaches to local governance:
- Clare County Council presented a project utilizing technology for effective tree management, ensuring public safety while achieving cost savings.
- Cork County Council focused on reinvigorating arts participation for children through Cruinniú na nÓg, empowering them to take the lead in programming activities.
- Donegal County Council showcased new business practices under the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) aimed at replacing manual processes, improving efficiencies, and reducing costs.
- Kildare County Council introduced an application designed to ensure accurate and timely payment of commercial rates.
- Meath County Council highlighted its initiative to livestream local elections, providing real-time information and transparency to citizens about the electoral process.
- Dublin City Council discussed its innovative approach to creating social housing by converting vacant office buildings into apartments through an ‘Adaptive Reuse’ strategy.
The seminar attracted Chief Executives and senior officials from local authorities, officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, NOAC and CCMA committee members, elected representatives, and various stakeholders in the local government sector.
As the local government landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the Good Practice in Local Government seminar remains a vital forum for collaboration and knowledge exchange, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in public service delivery.
A recording of two seminar sessions can be viewed here - Session 1 & Session 2