New CEO sets out determined vision for Waterford 

New Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council, Sean McKeown is working with the Council team on a five-year plan for the county, which includes bolstering local tourism and driving climate action. 

Mr McKeown was named as the new Waterford CEO in July this year, and was formerly the interim Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council.

He said: "It really is an exciting time for Waterford. There is an ambitious pipeline of projects and strategies in place and I want to continue the strong momentum in delivering on them, building on the excellent partnership in place with the elected members here in Waterford City and County Council."

Mr McKeown continued: “Waterford is in a great place right now, full of opportunity, from being one of the fastest-growing counties in Ireland and benefitting from significant investment in placemaking initiatives, through to the establishment of SETU and being voted in recent years by the Irish Times as the Best Place to Live in Ireland. I am working right now with the Council team and the newly elected members to develop a Corporate Plan that sets out our shared vision, objectives and priorities for the next five years.”

Waterford City is aiming to become a carbon-neutral city by 2040, and has been designated as a Decarbonising Zone (DZ). 

Mr McKeown said: "While Waterford City and County Council must take the lead, climate action requires the collective involvement of everyone. I'll strengthen our leadership credibility by ensuring early delivery of our Climate Action Plan, maximising Council-led initiatives under the SEAI Pathfinder Programme and continuing the drive towards modal shift and active travel, in our transition to a carbon neutral city by 2040."

He added: “I firmly believe we mustn’t forget about the basics. I will also have an eye to consistent delivery of fundamental services, such as road maintenance, street cleaning, tree planting and landscaping. These are essential for a well-presented city and county. I will also strive to ensure Waterford continues to be Ireland’s cleanest city including under IBAL litter surveys, and that we continue to maximise funding schemes to tackle vacancy and dereliction, and the regeneration of our rural towns and villages."

Mr McKeown ended: "In essence, Waterford as ‘Ireland’s Best Place to Live’ is a status that I and all the Council team are committed to upholding.”