Staffing:

Senior Staff:

Housing:
A total of 36 houses was constructed at the following locations; Brickfields, Beechwood Drive, Marley's Lane. A total of fifty houses were sold under the tenant purchase scheme. Work continued on a scheme of 50 dwelling units being provided by the voluntary body "Respond" on a site provided by the corporation at Marley's lane. The corporation continued to provide financial assistance to Drogheda Homeless Aid Association Ltd. towards the running of its hostels at North Strand.

The halting site at Cement Road which has ten bays continued to operate successfully during the year and was fully occupied. The corporation continued its policy of installing central heating in old persons dwellings. These systems were provided in 10 dwellings and this will ensure a better home environment for senior citizens in the council's rented stock. A total of 74 privately rented houses including flats have been registered to-date under the Housing (Registration of Rented Houses) Regulation 1996.

Planning:
Work on the preparation of the new draft development plan has been completed and it is hoped to have it on public display in early 1998. Planning Statistics:

Roads:
The corporation continues its policy of replacing sections of defective concrete slabs. Road and footpath improvements are undertaken in many areas. The most notable of these was the provision of an asphalt overlay on a large section of the Termonfeckin road, the extension of the footpath as far as the borough boundary on the same road, the reconstruction and upgrading of the Fisherman and Pitcher Hill steps and the completion of Mary Street.

Millmount:
Work was completed in houses no. 15 & 16. The reconstructed building has been incorporated into the Governor's house and has provided a lecture theatre and exhibition hall. A decision was taken to refurbish the Motte & Bailey to tis pre 1922 condition. Plans were prepared and the planning process set in train. This work has been selected as a project to mark the start of the millennium celebrations.

Drogheda Main Drainage & Waste Water Disposal Scheme:
This scheme comprises the construction of interceptor sewers on the north and south banks of the River Boyne, the construction of a main pumping station and a waste water treatment works.

The completion date of the entire project is expected to be in the year 2000 at an estimated cost in excess of £50m. The project is the largest single capital scheme undertaken by the corporation and should, when commissioned, lead to a significant improvement in the river enviroment.

Corporation Offices:
The second phase of the plan to improve the standard of public offices for the benefit of both the general public and the staff was continued during 1997. The main features of the plan include the construction of a new extention for the engineering section, the upgrading of the accomodation for the Town Clerk's and the accounts section and the restoration of the entrance foyer, which had formed the central section of the former Corn Exchange building, erected in the 1970's. The project, when completed, will result in the retention of as much of the original features as possible while at the same time providing modern facilities to meet the current and future requirements.

Public Lighting:
The corporation continued progress on the upgrading of the street lighting in various areas throughout the town. A total of £36,000 was spent on this project and has resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of public lighting in the town.

Environmental Campaign:
Another very successful campaign was launched. The main elements of this campaign were as follows:

Recreation & Amenity:
Approximately half of all Swimming Pool opening hours are allocated to schools and private groups. A total of 17,852 adults, 27,261 children and 805 spectators attended public sessions in the course of the year.

A total of £9,000 was distributed to 37 sporting organisations.

Arts Grants:
A total of £8,000 was allocated among 22 organisations and 4 individuals under the Arts Act 1973

School Meals Scheme:
This scheme operated for a 13 week period. Nine schools and a total of 1,410 children benefited from this scheme.

Fire Service:
Drogheda fire service attended 386 emergency calls during 1997. The Minister for the Environment presented fire service personnel with their long service medals and certificated in February 1997.

Finance: