Cork councils embark on public awareness campaign for boundary extension

Cork City Council and Cork County Council have launched a public awareness campaign aimed at the 85,000 citizens living in the parts of the county that are due to transfer to the city next month.

Areas such as Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower, Glanmire, Douglas, Donnybrook, Grange, Frankfield, Rochestown and Togher are to transfer from Cork County Council to Cork City Council on May 31st 2019.  An information leaflet highlighting the changes is being distributed to all households and businesses within the transfer area in the coming days.  

Significant work has been carried out by the Chief Executives of both Councils, and their staff, in planning and organising the transition of over 400 services from the County administrative area to the City administrative area.  

As part of the change, 203 staff will transfer from Cork County Council to Cork City Council.  All services such as roads, planning and environment currently operated by Cork County Council will be managed by Cork City Council from May 31st.  Cork City Council will levy rates in the transition area from  January 1 2020.

Up to 62,567 votes will transfer from Cork County Council to Cork City Council in time for the local and European elections.  Polling cards will issue in advance of the May 24 elections and will provide details of polling stations.  However citizens are asked to visit www.checktheregister.ie to check that their vote is registered correctly.

Public awareness of the boundary change is also being promoted through local press adverts in the coming weeks, as well as social media and radio adverts which will run in the lead up to the transfer day. Service users directly impacted by the changes will also be directly contacted by the Councils.  

Both Councils have established dedicated information lines for anyone with a query about how the boundary alteration might affect them.  Cork City Council can be contacted during office hours at 021 492 4444 and Cork County Council can be contacted during office hours at 021 428 5054.  A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, together with an interactive map highlighting the boundary change, is available online at www.corkcity.ie and www.corkcoco.ie

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Mick Finn said: "As you know from May 31st, Cork City will have its first boundary extension in 50 years. This will yield many opportunities for Cork city as well as challenges. In the coming days, leaflets will be delivered to homes and businesses coming in to the city and we look forward to welcoming you in and explaining how Cork City Council will operate for you"

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy highlighted how Cork County Council will be contacting every customer and business that has a direct relationship with the Council: “As County Mayor, I thank you for working with us and I assure you that Cork County Council will advise all our citizens of what this means for them and we are here to answer any queries.  It has been a pleasure to serve you."