Tributes paid as Senan steps down
TURNBULL RETIRES FROM COUNCIL POST
TRIBUTES have been paid to the head of the council's community division who has retired after a distinguished career both in local government and in community development.
Senan Turnbull, who was director of community, cultural and sports, brought down a highly successful career in Fingal County Council, an organisation he joined in September 1999.
He was initially appointed to the post of Director of Community and Enterprise under a major reform of local government, which sought to focus on the role of local authorities through the incorporation of the Strategic Policy Committee system involving a wider range of stakeholders contributing to policy formation.
Paying tribute to the Mr Turnbull, County Manager David O'Connor said: 'Senan's job was to promote the concept, to establish Development Board that then had to develop a strategy and development plan for the county.
'He took to and accomplished his task through a huge programme of stakeholder consultation in which many councillors here present today and previously elected members played a vital participative role in policy formation.
Mr O'Connor said Mr Turnbull's background in community development in public and NGO roles stood him very well during that vital formation period. 'His non local authority career background meant he was a resource of wider knowledge to his new colleagues and in that regard his wide experience was an asset to all his fellow senior managers.'
'Since joining the authority he has held responsibility for that part of the services of Fingal that are directly related to community life – parks, community services and the library service. We have seen all services grow as he has worked with the council to develop them across those areas from the successful use of our great heritage houses and demesnes where he worked with Michael Lynch, opening them further for concerts and events.
'The library services have expanded through his work with County Librarian Paul Harris to bring longer opening hours, more branches and services directly into people's homes who otherwise could not access them.
'Senan has expanded the role of Community to a Community, Culture and Spots division with John O'Brien, introducing sports development division to drive community cohesion and promote social inclusion and in the arts with Draíocht and the Seamus Ennis Centre.'
'I wish to record my appreciation, that of my senior colleagues and of all staff who worked with him for Senan's support and input to the work of this council during his time with us and wish him the very best for the future. The community of Fingal is the better for his contribution.'
