This article is from page 13 of the 2009-12-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
PARKING charges in Ennis have been frozen at the current level of €1.20 under Ennis Town Council’s budget for 2010.
Announcing the decision at last Thursday’s budget meeting, Town Manager, Ger Dollard also signalled the council’s intent to carry out a “major review of parking arrange- ments and charges in 2010”.
In his report, Mr Dollard stated that while parking income for 2009 is ahead of budget, “income from traffic fines is substantially down on anticipated budget levels for the year’.
He continued, “This would sug- gest a higher levels of compliance with parking regulations despite the temporary reduction in spaces due to works on the Ennis Flood Relief Scheme. These spaces will again be available for 2010. It 1s proposed to undertake a major review of park- ing arrangements and charges in 2010 and present separate proposals for consideration of council. No ad- ditional income has been assumed in the draft budget from such a re- aoa Ale
A proposal from Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) to reduce parking charges and to introduce free parking on Fridays from 2pm onwards was rejected.
Describing the budget as “very dif- ficult”, Cllr Flynn said new parking initiatives were needed to halt what he called the “drain” of shoppers from Ennis to Limerick and Gal- way. He claimed that the creation of 60 extra car park spaces in Parnell Street would generate a turnover of €1,100 per space.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said Cllr Flynn’s proposal could not be in- troduced as councillors seeking to alter the budget had to also identify
matching proposals that would either raise revenue or reduce costs.
Cllr Flynn countered by rejecting Cllr Meaney’s claim that his propos- al was a “populist” one.
“T’m not being populist. I’m trying to be positive to promote the town,’ he said.
Mr Dollard told the meeting that the council has allocated €210,000 from its own resources to the 2010 roads programme.
He added, “The overall situation regarding roads will need to be re- viewed when road grants are notified in 2010 as there is evidence of sig- nificant work required as a result of the serious flooding that occurred in mid-November.
On the issue of the Ennis Inner Relief Road, Mr Dollard stated, “An arbitrator has been appointed under the Compulsory Purchase Order for the acquisition of the land required. It is expected that the arbitrator will report in mid-2010. Provision has been made in the draft budget under the provision of loan charges for this project. Loan approval will be required from the department to progress this scheme.”