Tag Archives: Councillor Ann Norton

MEMBERS of an organisation campaigning for better public facilities for those with disabilities are to make a presentation to Clare County Council on their work.  It follows a request from Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton. A motion tabled by Councillor Norton, who is also Clinic Manager of The Clare Crusaders, at the December meeting of the local authority received widespread support. The Independent councillor asked that members of the Brothers of Charity be invited to make a presentation to Council members on their Changing Places campaign.  “Members of the Brothers of Charity have been working on a project during Covid to make people aware of the difficulties around toileting and making life easier for themselves and their carers or family members,” Councillor Norton said. “They would like the opportunity to address the councillors and staff of Clare County Council to showcase their documentary and the opportunity to speak about the need for these facilities.” Councillor Norton added that the …

THE Mayor of Ennis has urged the local authority to get on their bikes and invest in tandem cycles for the county capital which she believes would promote “inclusion around our beautiful town”, writes Jessica Quinn. Speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Ann Norton suggested the Council look into the possibility of purchasing ‘Fun2Go’ side by side tandem bikes. Seeking support for the proposal she pointed out September was World Alzheimer’s month. “Research has shown that exercise is good for people with dementia. Moving ensures that the mental deterioration slows down. You improve your thinking skills, restlessness, passivity and your blood circulation with exercise.  “Multi-person bikes offer people the opportunity to move together. With the Van Raam Fun2Go side-by-side tandem you can sit comfortably next to each other while enjoying a great bike ride. “Because you sit next to each other, the supervisor can keep a close eye on the co-driver and assess whether he/she is still …

CLARE County Council has been urged to provide a mechanism to help councillors track the progress on their public representations to the local authority, writes Dan Danaher. Councillor Gerry Flynn has asked for the introduction of performance indicators for each Municipal District to monitor representations from elected members. While several motions have been supported by councillors over the years, he claimed at a recent council meeting no substantial progress has occurred from the executive. He called for a faster turnaround, particularly at municipal district level, in response to requests from councillors. “Councillors carry out a very important role on behalf of their communities and require a timely response to their representations. “It is not rocket science to ensure that what councillors request is acted on.” Councillor Johnny Flynn said it is important to be able to demonstrate that representations from constituents, which form an integral part of local democracy, are acted upon efficiently. Having tabled a motion on this issue …

CONCERNS about the risk of flooding on the Tulla Road, close to the site of a proposed €1.2 billion Ennis data centre, have prompted calls for screens to be put in place at bridges to prevent blockages, writes Jessica Quinn. However, while council executive engineer Barry Conway has confirmed the local authority will carry out maintenance and clearance works, he cautioned about the use of screens. The engineer said that screens “can often times create bigger issues than they resolve”, citing recent “devastating consequences” when screens were installed in Dublin and Donegal. Flooding at Aughavadda on the Tulla Road and Gaurus Bridge was highlighted by Councillors Johnny Flynn and Mary Howard at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. Councillor Flynn pointed to “historic” flooding of R352 Tulla Road and previous river flow blockages/restrictions at Aughavadda bridge and concern about the river flow capacity at the downstream Gaurus bridge. He urged the Ennis Municipal District to “immediately” provide screens …

THE Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District has been sharply critical of a lack of action on illegal dumping on a number of sites around the county, including one on the Tulla Road. Councillor Ann Norton asked a series of detailed questions ahead of the July meeting of the local authority looking for a progress update – in terms of waste removal and remediation – on hotspots across Clare. The Independent member also sought an update on staff resources and the number of enforcement notices served over the last three years. Welcoming an official reply, which said that 97% of complaints made since 2018 had been resolved, Councillor Norton voiced disappointment at the fact that the Tulla Road site has not been tackled. “I was first asked to raise this issue some years ago,” she said. “Now, once again, there are questions over what is being done. The 3% of unresolved dumping sites are always an issue. This includes the …

Political manoeuvring will intensify amongst Clare county councillors ahead of a council meeting next Monday to secure support for a controversial €10 million loan for what has been described as a new public-private partnership to provide a major development facelift for Ennis. Ennis 2040 Designated Activity Company (DAC) has been registered as a company to assist in formulating identified opportunities for development and employment in Ennis and making the town an attractive place to live and work. The new high powered committee, which is chaired by former Roche Clarecastle chief executive, Gerry Cahill, includes TTM Healthcare Ennis chief executive Brian Crowley, Kieran Considine, head of AIB in Clare, Limerick and Kerry, Corporate Excellence Ireland chief executive, Linda Barron, Councillor Claire Colleran-Molloy, economic director of service, Liam Conneally and director of finance, Noeleen Fitzgerald. It is expected that Councillor Johnny Flynn and Councillor Ann Norton will become members of the board in the near future. This plan is expected to generate …

SECURING a new motorised wheelchair for a person with disabilities can take up to three years from the initial application, a local health advocate has claimed. The long waiting times have been criticised as a “disgrace” by Councillor Ann Norton who stated the initial assessment is often out of date by the time a person can actually use the new motorised wheelchair. Councillor Norton explained it can take two years for the official sign off for a new wheelchair before it is ordered, while the moulding can take between six to eight months once funding has been approved. She outlined the wheelchair seating assessment is carried out by the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) in Limerick. The first assessment conducted by a physiotherapist and occupational therapist establishes if a new wheelchair is needed. If therapists believe a new wheelchair is required, a few appointments may be requiring examining suitable models and types of wheelchairs, moulding and seating before an application for …

A COLAISTE Mhuire student is thrilled with the “phenomenal” support she has received for a recent fundraising event for two charities. Holly Cotter (17), Doora, Clarecastle who is completing Leaving Certificate Applied in Colaiste Mhuire, has raised more than €3,650 from cutting her long red precious locks and will continue accepting donations for another two weeks. Having set up an iDonate page, all the proceeds from this fundraiser go directly to Clare Crusaders. Her father, Seamus described the support to date as “phenomenal”. He said the Clare Crusaders are relying on this fundraiser and a new draw with Munster Tech, O’Connell Street, to win a golden ticket for a PS5 playstation, which was won by Nathan O’Shea. “Holly is delighted with her new hairstyle, everyone is admiring it. To go from long red hair to short hair is a massive change for a teenager girl.” Seamus recalled Holly benefited from using Clare Crusaders from the age of five until she …