Division of Newport into two electoral areas is ‘crazy stuff’
With the last Westport area meeting in Newport, due to the change in electoral boundaries, Fianna Fáil councillor Frank Chambers commented that it was “crazy stuff” that half of Newport would fall under the Belmullet Electoral Area, before he added that it was a “disgraceful decision” and said that “the unity of the town” needed to be maintained as Newport “does not want to be a divided community”.
Party colleague Cllr Margaret Adams said that the decision was “off the wall” and “totally unreasonable”, before she commended Cllr Chambers for his hard work representing Newport over the past 30 years.
Fine Gael councillor John O’Malley said that it was an “unfair decision” which forced Cllr Chambers to opt out of politics and wished Cllr Chambers and his family well in the future, while Cllr Martin Keane said that what happened to Cllr Chambers in his own electoral area was “a disgrace”.
Houses and grants delayed due to lack of funding
Martin Keating, executive housing officer, outlined that the Kilmeena housing units and community centre is progressing, but that the Killeen project is delayed as there was still no capital allocation given from the department. This allocation also affected the provision of housing grant funding.
Cllr John O’Malley said that he was bombarded with people contacting him every day about the essential repairs grants, with many submitting their application a year ago and still awaiting a response. The Fine Gael councillor said that it was ironic that the “green Minister” has announced €100 million for insulation, where every “Tom Dick and Harry” whose house was built before 1996 without a means test can apply, yet the old and vulnerable cannot get their windows and door replaced with the essential repairs grants.
Fianna Fáil councillor Adams said that it was important to focus on what has been done, with many looked after by the mobility grants, and Cllr Adams said that she looks forward to second round of funding for maintenance grants.
Mr Keating explained that at present there is some €2 million worth of housing grant approvals and until the council receives an allocation, expected after the forthcoming budget, further work will not be approved.
Councillors disappointed with Westport United’s planning refusal
The recent decision by An Bord Pleanála to turn down a planning application for Westport United’s new pitch, which was raised at the meeting by Cathaoirleach of the town Councillor Martin Keane, led to councillors offering their support to the club if needed and condemning the decision as “disappointing”.
Cllr Adams said that both town and area councillors had pledged money to upgrade the road leading to the ground if a planning decision was granted and that with the “disappointing decision” the doors are still open to Westport United if they need further assistance.
Her party colleague Cllr Chambers said that this decision was a disappointment for the community’s needs, and that with the draft development plan of the town being reviewed the needs of the community must be taken on board with greater focus on quality of life of people.
Fine Gael councillor John O’Malley said that he was “absolutely devastated “by the news and couldn’t understand the mentality of stopping a sports group from being developed, while Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley said that the turning down of the development resulted in the stagnation of other projects in the area.
Childcare facility for Louisburgh
Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley welcomed the news that disposal of land at Ard Caher, Louisburgh, would enable a childcare project— which has capital funding and planning permission to construct such facilities.
Road reconstructed in Newport
Engineer Michael Lyons told area members that the regional road R311 in the townlands of Clooneshill and Cuilemore, Newport would be realigned and reconstructed for 790 metres towards Newport, with the acquisition of land from three landowners.
Cllr Chambers said there should be a verge in the road to allow people to walk or cycle on it. Cllr Adams concurred that all new roads should have walk or cycle lanes
