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SWORDS TRAVEL
23rd October 2012 • Volume 19, Issue 33 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Local Authority Shake-Up The news last week of the Department of the Environment’s plans to reform local authorities, is set to have a huge impact on how local government is conducted here in the North County, when the plans are enacted in 2014. The fact that our local authority’s councillor representation is set to increase is viewed by many locals as good news. The proposals, called ‘Putting People First’, include the abolition of all 80 town councils and a 40 per cent reduction in the number of councillors nationwide, from 1,627 down to 950. This cut in the number of county councillors does not apply to our local authority. In fact our representation will increase. A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment told the County Leader that “because of population considerations, the number of councillors for Fingal will increase substantially from 24 to somewhere in the region of 40.” On a local level, the upshot of the reforms means that Balbriggan Town Council is to be abolished, with the loss of it’s nine town councillors. The department spokesperson said, “The number of county councillors in the four Dublin authorities, including Fingal, is due to increase as there is relationship between the number of seats per 1,000 constituents. The existing town councillors will be entitled to contest the local elections in 2014 and obviously, Balbriggan will be part of one of the local electoral districts,” he said. Other changes will see the local
By Patrick Finnegan authority managers’ roles being replaced by chief executives, and they will be responsible to the elected members in the same way as the chief executive of a company is to a board of directors. Also, local authority services are to be funded through the local property tax, with strengthened audit committees, as well as a National Oversight and Audit Commission to scrutinise local government performance and efficiency. When this newspaper asked about the breakdown of the proposed councillor representation in the local North County council wards and how they will differ to the present set up, the spokesperson was uncommitted, “This is subject to the work of a Committee to be established, when the finer details will be announced. The work of the committee will be to review the local electoral districts in Fingal.” Whilst population density is a feature in deciding the increase in our local authority, it is not the only consideration. The spokesperson confirmed this by saying, “Population is only one consideration and the action plan published makes reference to a minimum of 18 councillors per local authority and a maximum of 40 for county/city councils with the exception of Dublin and Cork. Local councillor, Peter Coyle (Lab) welcomed the fact that councillors in each County Council will be calculated per population, ensuring that
Pictured here are the Smart Angels Montessori kids from Swords all ready for Halloween. They are having a Halloween Trick or Treat For Temple Street Party raising money towards the Children’s Hospital and having fun at the same time. Pictured are Darragh Mc Cann, Antonina Popiolek, Christelle Masvemme, Rebecca Mc Guirk, Pauline and Olivia Coughlan, Evan Mason, Anna Vezhakattu, Hazel Mc Kernan, Kaitlyn Dignam, Nataniel Szpaczynski, Liya Rogil and Finn Kelly.
there is a fairer distribution of representation in each county. He said, “It is expected that a strong emphasis will be put on what are the Area Committees at present. It should be noted that even though the population has gone up, Malahide and Howth electoral areas have lost three councillors in representation in the last thirteen years. However, taking into account the electorate (as distinct from population), the Malahide and Howth electoral areas have about the highest electorate per councillor in the country,” he said.
North County Towns Excel In REI Awards There was great news for the North By Celine Quinn County at the recent Retail Excellence vibrancy in the area for anyone who Ireland awards, when three of our lives and works here.” towns appeared in the top ten of a Other North County towns, Malahide nationwide survey of ‘The 100 Best and Skerries, came in eight and ninth Towns and Cities in Ireland’. places respectively. Patricia Murtagh, Swords took a magnificent third Chairperson of Malahide place in Ireland. This is a Chamber of Commerce, remarkable achievement for expressed her delight at the town which was just Malahide’s result: “We’re edged out narrowly by absolutely delighted with winners, Westport and the results, which is down to second place Killarney. everyone’s hard work; the Speaking to the County Chamber, Tidy Towns, and Leader, CEO of Dublin Fingal Residents Association. All Chamber, Tony Lambert Tony Lambert the businesses work said: “This result is excellent together and offer customers a for all our North County towns, and personable experience. There is really Swords in particular. When you a great sense of pride around the examine the results obviously people village, which I think is evident to all felt the town was very well our residents and visitors.” presented. There really is a great
Martin Scully, President of Skerries featured on the list include Donabate, Chamber of Commerce was also in the second quartile (26-50), and equally thrilled with the Balbriggan in the final quarSkerries result. He told the tile (76-100). County Leader, “We underThe Top 25 towns in Ireland stand why Skerries did so are described as having a well in the survey. This recogbalanced mix of retailers nition comes from the hard which drive footfall to the work and contribution from town. Another important Skerries Chamber of aspect is the benefit from Commerce for actively Martin Scully independent retailers which promoting the town, from give the town a particular Skerries Tidy Towns who have been character and personality. Top ten maintaining our community for 20 towns Swords, Malahide and Skerries years or more, from local shopkeepers also scored highly in ‘peace of mind’ who invest in the upkeep of their aspects with relation to safety, secupremises and have extended their rity and family friendliness. Similarly, opening hours, and from the County many of the top towns have Council for keeping the town so well.” competed successfully in the Tidy This shows that our towns are up Towns competition illustrating the there with the best in the country. great community collaboration in Others in the North County that these areas.
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