b'ForewordWe are pleased to present our Corporate Plan However certain challenges that were alreadyfor the period 2019 to 2024. Adopted by the apparent in 2015, have grown in profile,Elected Members at their meeting on the 25th urgency and scale. Census figures show thatNovember 2019; our Plan guides our strategic Kildare is one of the fastest growing andactions during the lifetime of this Council. This youngest population centres in the country;Plan is based on current resources and realistic with the highest proportion of people agedexpectations regarding future resource and 0-24 in the state at almost 37% 1 . Population operating environments. The Council welcomes growth combined with proximity to Dublin isadoption of the Plan as a commitment by all to driving housing costs and demand for housing, our shared vision to make Kildare a leading and, inevitably many of our citizens are struggling inclusive and sustainable county. to meet their housing needs.Kildare County Council actively continues to Our Plan commits us to continuing our workimplement reforms set out in the Action with all partners to strive to meet Kildares Programme for Effective Local Government, housing needs while supporting social inclusion,Putting People First. Over the last five years, equality and quality of life in new communitieswe have shown our capacity to innovate and that have grown in recent years.maintain services through change byembedding Municipal District structures, A strong infrastructure platform including asuccessfully growing the Public Participation greater range of sustainable transport options,Network (PPN), Local Community Development will serve to sustain growth in our CountysCommittee (LCDC), Local Enterprise Office (LEO) businesses and attract new employment. Equally, and delivering services in a challenging financial increased local employment and more sustainable and human resource environment. In this transport options can mitigate the environmental regard it is important to recognise the efforts of and economic challenges presented by almost our Elected Members, our staff, and our 40% of our workforce commuting out of Kildare. 2community and agency partners. 1 Kildare 2016 Census Profile 2 Kildare 2016 Census Profile.1'