Towns urged to form representative bodies

Towns are being urged to form elected representative organisations which can have regular meetings with county councillors on the new West Cork Municipal District to discuss items of mutual interest.

Members of that new forum say they want more information from grassroots organisations about problems they may face, because they are not getting this type of information since town councils were abolished last June.

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said county councillors should also be meeting representatives from some of the former town councils in the West Cork region.

He said town councillors had for the first six months of the year been working on a number of projects which were now the responsibility of the municipal district and it was “only fair” that they be consulted on any progress.

Cllr Michael Collins (Ind) said that a voluntary, elected forum had been set up in Clonakilty to replace the formal town council.

He said that while it had no statutory authority it was the voice of local people and should be listened to. He urged other towns in the region to form similar organisations and work with the municipal district members to for the betterment of their areas.

His appeal was backed by other councillors, including FF’s Christopher O’Sullivan and Pat Murphy. The former said it was vital that community representatives had regular meetings with the municipal district members, while the latter said since the abolition of town councils thousands had been left without a voice.

Council officials said they had no problem meeting such groups, but would need advanced notice on who would be on them and the kind of agenda likely to be discussed.

Councillors have already agreed to meet with representatives form Skibbereen Chamber of Commerce in that town in a fortnight’s time.

They will also travel to Dunmanway next month where they will hold a meeting with Dunmanway Community Council and Dunmanway Enterprise Network.