Town council to bid for municipal authorities conference

SHANNON Town Council will bid to host the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland annual conference in 2013.
A decision to do so was made at their May meeting, despite some concerns about funding.
The members also discussed the matter at an earlier meeting and at that stage, it was decided some more information on sources of funding was required. Addressing the May meeting, town clerk Liam O’Connor said he had spoken to the county council’s head of finance who said that any request for funding would be part of the 2013 budgetary process and that no provision had been made for it in the 2012 tourism budget.
Councillor Gerry Flynn proposed that no bid for the conference be made. “In view of the limited funding available, there is a duty on us to protect the finances,” he claimed. He was supported by Councillor Cathy McCafferty, who said she didn’t think it was acceptable in the circumstances.
However, Councillor Patricia McCarthy proposed the town council go ahead with the bid, while this view was also supported by Councillor Sean McLoughlin, who said that business people are paying rates and that the conference could give them a boost.
A vote ultimately took place with all the members, besides Councillors McCafferty and Flynn in favour of making a bid.