‘Hands off Ennis Town Council’

“Hands off Ennis Town Council” was one of the key messages delivered to Environment Minister Phil Hogan by the new Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Peter Considine, following his election on Monday night.
Commenting on Minister Hogan’s plans to reduce town councils, Councillor Considine argued it would be a retrograde step to abolish town authorities such as Ennis Town Council, which strikes commercial rates.
Fianna Fáil’s sole representative on the town council argued that Ennis Town Council should not be abolished because it operates very efficiently and provides good value for money.
Councillor Considine noted a number of local councillors had discussed this issue recently at a private meeting and had presented a strong case for the retention of Ennis Town Council.
He also criticised the amount of time provided by the minister in the current consultation process and felt their response could have been more considered if they had more time.
“I hope and expect Ennis Town Council will continue to play a leading role in the management and development of Ennis town,” he said.
Councillor Considine has held the position of mayor on six previous occasions during his lengthy 39-year career as a public representative: June 1983 – June 1984; July 1989 – July 1990; July 1993 – June 1994; June 1999 – June 2000; July 2002 – July 2003 and June 2008 – June 2009.  The new mayor also served as a member of Clare County Council from 1994 to 2009.
Mayor Considine paid tribute to his predecessor, Councillor Michael Guilfoyle, and said he looked forward to many new projects and developments for Ennis during his year-long term of office.
Mr Considine said there are numerous infrastructure projects that he is anxious to see progressed over the next 12 months.
“They include the completion of the Ennis Inner Relief Road from Station Road to Clare Road, the construction of a Multi-Use Games Area at Tim Smyth Park and the provision of a new coach park at Friars Walk designed to boost coach tourism in the county capital.
“There also are a number of community initiatives and cultural projects that I look forward to supporting.
“As mayor, I will be supporting and nurturing the continued partnership with the business community in developing and promoting the town as a place to live in, work in and visit,” he explained.
Mayor Considine continued, “The Gathering Events during 2013, including a larger than ever Fleadh Nua and the Love Live Music event, are a welcome addition to the annual events calendar. Furthermore, I look forward to the proposed upgrading of the Visit Ennis website and continued marketing of the town through Promote Ennis.  I also am confident that Ennis’ strong performance in the Tidy Towns competition will continue this year, when results in the autumn will once again reflect the positive working partnership between community volunteers and Ennis Town Council.
“From a business perspective, I eagerly await the launch and subsequent implementation of Ennis Hub Strategy – Ennis 2020.
“It is expected that this blueprint will result in the progression of prioritised strategic projects for Ennis. I also will be pledging my support to the discernment process, pathfinder process for the designation of Ennis as a Purple Flag location, a safe area with a quality mix of retail, cultural, historical and entertainment offerings to customers and visitors,” he added.
While Mayor Considine wants to promote development, he pointed out Ennis Town Council’s income has reduced significantly in recent years and staffing levels have reduced by approximately 20%.
“It is important that expectations are realistic in terms of the services and projects that the council can deliver,” he said.