Pictured receiving the award on behalf of the council team are Ruth Maher (Project Leader, IT Section); Cllr John Carroll (Leas Cathaoirleach); Cllr MicheÃ¡lAnglim, and Cllr Andy Moloney, with Ronan Foley (IPB Insurance) and LAMA Chaireperson Cllr Mags Murray. Photo: Paul Sherwood.

Tipperary is council of the year

Published: Wed 28 Jan 2015, 10:38 AM

Last updated: Wed 28 Jan 2015, 10:50 AM

Tipperary County Council won the 'Council of the Year' award at the LAMA Community & Council Awards 2015, held in association with IPB Insurance, which took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin last Saturday night.
The awards recognise and celebrate community and councils together. They provide a great opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work done within communities and to reward unsung heroes.
The Council of the Year Award was sponsored by IPB Insurance. Local TD Alan Kelly, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, congratulated the council on winning the award.

Minister Kelly said: 'I would like to commend all the staff in Tipperary County Council for their hard work and commitment that ensured the local authority won the award.
'The LAMA Awards were created to recognise innovative local and national projects in the areas of infrastructure, community development, recreation and social impact initiatives.
'This award for the local authority shows that the amalgamation of North and South Tipperary Councils is working well despite some initial concerns.'
Cllr John Carroll attended the awards ceremony as Vice Chairman of the council because Chairman Cllr Michael Fitzgerald was unable to attend. Also representing the council were members of staff Ruth Maher and Sharon Heffernan. Cllrs Michael Anglim and Andy Moloney were also in attendance. MC on the Night was RTE Prime Time presenter Miriam O’Callaghan. After the ceremony, Cllr Carroll stated: 'This National Award to Tipperary County Council is due recognition to management and staff at Tipperary County Council in successfully bringing about the merger of North and South Tipperary County Council in such a challenging timeframe with so many hurdles to get over on an ongoing basis. 'Every member of staff within the council can take due credit for this national award as each played a vital part in bringing about the merger with minimal disruption to the daily workings of the council, which was a major achievement for all council staff.
'I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate all staff and management at Tipperary County Council as this major national award was secured with a dedicated team effort by all members of council staff,' Cllr Carroll said.