This article is from page 14 of the 2013-04-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THERE have been calls for the Civic Room at Waterpark House to be retained for community use after the abolition of Ennis Town Council.
Ennis Town Council’s headquarters may be used to house a proposed new Municipal Authority or the Ennis offices of the recently established Irish Water.
But local councillors are demanding the Civic Room remain the property of the people of Ennis.
According to an audit of the council’s accounts for 2011, the combined valuations on land, parks housing and buildings amounted to € 101 million of the council’s overall assets total € 161 million.
Councillor Brian Meaney (GP) raised the future ownership of council buildings in a motion submitted to it’s April meeting.
He told the meeting that it is “vital that the Civic Room remains available to the people of Ennis”.
In reply, town clerk Leonard Cleary said Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council are considering various uses for the buildings in the event that Ennis Town Council is abolished.
He stated, “There are a range of issues currently under discussion at national level including proposed Municipal District Committees, shared services, establishment of Irish Water, the alignment process all of which will impact on local government function.
“The future use of the Ennis Town Council properties will be fully considered in the progression of these issues including a retaining of a base for the Ennis Outdoor Crew.”
Mr Cleary added, “Waterpark House and Buttermarket buildings are considered an asset and important resource for the delivery of services to the people of Ennis.”
Supporting the call to retain the Civic Room for public use, Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Peter Considine (FF), said;
“It is a civic building in the truest sense of the world. It is used by communities and other groups in Ennis.”
The ownership issue is also raised in a section of the council’s audited accounts for 2011.
In his report, Noel O’Connell, Director of Audit at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, states;
“The previous audit report noted that legal formalities with regard to the registering the lands for three car parks in the town council’s name has not been finalised.
“In addition to these, the title registration on Waterpark House has not been completed.
“These issues should be finalised as a matter of urgency.”
Noting the recommendation, Town Manager Ger Dollard states that the town solicitor has previously been requested to complete the formal registration process in respect of the properties.
He added, “The matter is being followed up and may require a lengthy registration process.
“Pending the finalisation of the registration, the legal ownership of Ennis Town Council is not affected.”
Mr Dollard told the meeting that the registration process is underway.
Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said it is wrong that people in Ennis do not know what services will be retained under the new municipal authority when it is established.
At this point, Cllr Paul O’Shea (Ind) interjected, saying that the meeting appeared to be “rambling” away from the agenda.
In response, Cllr Guilfoyle said, “If I ramble from time to time, it’s for the people of Ennis I’m rambling.”