Just in from Tom O Leary Statement by Cllr Tom OLeary on propsals for a INTREO Office Balbiggan, Museum,and New Library Suspension of Standing Orders “That the Council do not move the Balbriggan Library from it’s present location until an alternative proposal is before this Committee for consideration”. This motion was carried 6 votes to 5 votes. I voted for the above motion at a recent area meeting(16th Jan) of Fingal Co Council. I am aware there are concerns in Balbriggan about a draft proposal to open a Museum and New Library at a new location in Balbriggan. The people of Balbriggan are rightly proud and attached to the current library in the Balbriggan town hall building and in the Carnegie Building. I have received approximately 20 emails on the issue, I have read the comments on Facebook, reviewed the recent meeting/presentation at Balbriggan town council online and read the minutes of the recently well attended public meeting in Balbriggan on this issue. No decision has been made to move the library in Balbriggan. The manager Peter Caulfield made a verbal presentation at the recent Balbriggan Swords area meeting. He has confirmed that there are exploratory talks and negotiations ongoing to open a new Museum and New larger library at a new location and to install a new INTREO office in the original town hall offices in Balbriggan. It is proposed to retain the Carnegie building as a public building open to the community and serviced by Fingal staff to provide information and meeting rooms to the citizens of Balbriggan. I welcome an INTREO office by the Department of Social Protection in Balbriggan which will assist the many unemployed people in Balbriggan in accessing services and return to work options and training.Intreo offers practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike. I am awaiting further information from Fingal Co Council. If this project was to proceed the people of Balbriggan would want to be satisfied that they are getting a bigger and better Library in a satisfactory location. I welcome the plans for a museum in Balbriggan to improve the tourism product there and help in the regeneration of the town. There are serious financial savings and gain for the Council in this proposal, and anyone ignoring that , are not dealing with reality. Councillors have a duty to prudently manage the ratepayers and taxpayers money and this is particularly relevant now in the era of local property tax. There is a serious information deficit out there for elected Councillors but more importantly the residents of Balbriggan. The council management need to address that and communicate all the facts on this proposal to Balbriggan residents. Finally if this is to move forward, the management of Fingal Co Council who are driving this project, will have to go through a Part 11 public consultation process. That means the Fingal Councillors will have to vote to put 2 proposals out on public display, initially at the Balbriggan Swords area meeting and then at a full council meeting. Opinions will be sought from the public, who will have full information and sight of detailed plans, and then finally it will come back to Fingal Co Council for a final vote. At this point I am undecided as I and Balbriggan residents do not have full information. I await sight of drawings which are being prepared by Fingal Co Council and further consultation with the residents of Balbriggan Cllr Tom OLeary
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:22:58 +0000
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