Senior executive to be appointed to manage Drogheda’s future 

Drogheda TD, Fergus O’Dowd, has informed Drogheda Life that the town is to get it’s very own Senior Executive Officer who will be tasked with, amongst other issues, managing the town's future as a Centre for Regional Growth as it progresses to city status.

He said that the appointment, which will come with a salary of €100K came about following “a long fought campaign” to employ an accountable executive that can manage the most pressing issues in Drogheda as it transitions to a city. 

“I have been liaising closely with Minister John Paul Phelan for some time to progress this appointment, the role will include managing Drogheda’s designation as a Centre for Regional Growth which is of vital importance” O’Dowd said. 

“I’m delighted that we will finally have an individual that will be focused on areas which the town has lacked over recent years. The role will come with a salary of €100k and a similar role will be appointed to Dundalk. 

The successful candidate will work from within the Council and their role will include progressing: 

• Delivery of the NPF objectives of making Drogheda a Designated Regional Growth Centre
• Delivery of the Urban Area Plan
• Coordination with Meath County Council in the preparation of joint Retail, LUTS and Planning Strategies
• Management and coordination of projects under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund including the West Gate Vision
• Liaison with stakeholders including BIDS companies, Chambers of Commerce, Purple Flag and Tidy Towns Committees
• Coordination of all activities of other stakeholders including Town Centre Health Check Group, Retailers and Traders
• Acting as point of contact for Drogheda Port Company
• Providing Management and Advice to the Borough and Municipal Districts 
• Coordination of the delivery of the designated towns, enterprising towns and pride of place bids
• The appointee will work closely with the Elected Councillors of the Districts to deliver the full range of services in the town and implement policy decisions taken at local level
• Servicing of both the Borough and District Committee meetings
• Implementation of Policy adopted at county level

“This has been a long fought campaign that started a number of years ago with my late colleague Cllr Oliver Tully RIP” O’Dowd said.

“We brought Minister JP Phelan to the town to show him at first hand the serious administrative issues it was facing and requirement for such a role to be created, Minister Phelan committed to progressing such a role and he has now delivered on that commitment. 

“The town needs to be in control of it’s own destiny and we will finally have someone to hold accountable for the development of the town” he said. 

He also confirmed that this role is in addition to the proposed new manager being sought by the Drogheda BIDS company and that both will work side by side. 

“I, along with the Drogheda Chamber of Commerce and key local stakeholders have been working to progress Drogheda’s position on a regional and national basis, I believe in talking up everything we have to offer as a town” O’Dowd said. 

“We have been working closely with Government Representatives and key players such as the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.”