This article is from page 22 of the 2013-06-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
SUPPORTERS of a proposal to scrap parking charges in Ennis on Saturdays have been challenged to identify the € 90,000 cuts in local authority spending required to implement the policy.
Ennis Town Council says free parking would have to be accompa nied by a major reduction in services like street cleaning and recreational facilities to make up for the shortfall in income.
The Council estimates that it would lose € 90,000 in six months under the proposal tabled by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) at it’s June meeting.
Town Manager Ger Dollard described as “irresponsible” any income-reducing proposal brought before the Council that doesn’t include a corresponding cut to spending.
Cllr Flynn proposed that Ennis Town Council follow the example of Nenagh “in it’s initiative to stimulate the local economy by allowing free car-parking for customers/visitors in public car parks on Saturdays for a trial six month period under the current byelaws as special occasions/ events.”
Cllr Flynn told the meeting that he did not think the cut would have a significant impact on the Council’s finances.
Cllr Mary Howard seconded the motion, saying that free parking could first be done on a trial basis.
“The town has gone quiet,” she added. Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) said it was time the Council tried something new in relation to parking in Ennis. In response, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said the Council had piloted a number of parking initiatives in Ennis.
He told the meeting that the Council had undertaken a “detailed examination of income from car-parking.”
He continued, “In 2012 parking income was € 1,088,475.
The proposal in the notice of motion for free parking on Saturdays for six months could result in losses of € 90,000 approx. based on 2012.
“As the Budget for 2013 is now adopted, it is open to elected members to make submissions for expenditure reductions or income generation measures that can bridge the shortfall of € 90,000 approximately that would arise from the proposal in a 2014 budget context.”
He added that “essentially, elected members need to decide what services would not be delivered by the Council.”
Mr Cleary warned that “very hard choices” would have to be made on street cleaning, public lights, estate management and recreational facilities, if the policy is introduced.
Cllr Meaney said Nenagh’s problems stemmed from a decision to develop an out of town retail centre. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the management of car-parks is crucial to the town.
He added, “Its not the car-parking that’s the problem. It’s what is in the town.”
Town Manager Ger Dollard said that if the motion passed, the Council executive would not implement it until the services to be cut were identified.
Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) described the motion as a “pointless exercise”, pending the outcome Council’s budget estimates meeting.
Cllr Flynn said he disagreed with Cllr Brennan’s assessment, saying the matter could be addressed before then.
Councillors voted unanimously to consider Cllr Flynn’s motion at their Budget 2014 meeting.