Stretched local councillors ‘representing 5,000 people each’

In closing remarks at the end of his term as Mayor of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr Vinny McCormack expressed concern that councillors' powers were being eroded and that the local public was being under-represented.

The Ballymore man was elected as Mayor of the district in June 2022, and was succeeded by Cllr Louise Heavin this month.

Cllr McCormack said serving as Mayor for the last twelve months had been "one of the great privileges and honours of my life" but, looking ahead, he voiced concern about the roles of local councillors.

"There has been a huge erosion of our powers over the past 10 years and we have been substantially removed from many of the processes of local government, including one-off planning and housing allocations," he said.

"Also of concern is the fact that, following the latest census, each councillor (in the Athlone Moate District) is representing in excess of 5,000 people.

"This is one of the highest representational rates in the EU and should be of great concern to everyone," commented the Fianna Fáil representative.

"It is disappointing that the Boundary Commission has not sought to review the electoral areas in advance of next year's local elections, and we can only hope this level of under-representation does not damage the service which we give to our citizens."

On a separate issue, Cllr McCormack said it was clear to him that more urgency was needed when it came to tackling the problem of speeding traffic in local towns and villages.

"These issues are worsening right across the board, and while I acknowledge that plans are being developed I, for one, feel we are not being proactive enough in providing solutions," he said.

"We need to force motorists to slow down while driving through built-up areas, and use any means necessary to do so."

Looking back on the last twelve months, he said progress had been made on advancing "a number of key projects" in the district.

"The new Greenway bridge over the Shannon is edging toward completion, and will be ready for use in the very near future. The regeneration of Mardyke Street and Sean Costello Street is going well and will make a huge difference to this area when complete," he said.

"Probably most importantly for the town, we have seen the commencement of the Main Drainage Scheme which will see over €100 million invested in the town sewerage system.

"This project is a key measure in Athlone's development as a regional centre and will also ensure that we protect the water quality in the Shannon as it makes its way through town."

He described the establishment of the Moate Town Team as "a huge step in terms of future development for the town centre," and expressed confidence that a town twinning arrangement would be developed between Athlone and Providence, Rhode Island, following a successful visit by a local delegation to the US city earlier this year.

Cllr McCormack also paid tribute to council staff and the members of local community and voluntary groups. He also thanked his wife Deirdre and two young children, Cliodhna and Oisin, for their support.

"I'm sure all of the members will agree that without the unwavering support of our respective families we would not be able to perform our roles and provide the required support to our communities," he stated.