WRFM News

This Thursday The Clock Tavern bar is hosting a Fundraiser session for Westport's community radio station WRFM 98.2.

The session kicks of at 9pm and Tickets are just €5.  There will also be a raffle.

The organisers promise plenty of criac and ceol from a host of Westport Session musicians.
All proceeds in support of WRFM.

Please come out and give us your support!

Journalists wanted!

Westport's community radio station, WRFM 98.2 is looking for experienced and student journalists who are interested in producing news, current affairs and documentary programming on the station.

 

According to Station Manager, Stephen O'Brien, WRFM 98.2 has a mandate "to provide quality local news and current affairs to our listeners in Westport and over the web.

 

"Our sports programming and reporting, which is produced and presented by Brendan Mulroy and Michael Killeen, has been very well received.

 

"We are now looking to develop our news and current affairs department so that we can provide instant breaking local and national news, as well as in depth analysis and discussion of local and national issues and concerns, in a professional, fair and balanced manner.

 

"We will be providing our news department volunteers with training in the areas of production, technical work, presentation and documentary making.

 

"Currently we have a rotating set of presenters for our news and politics shows, all of them experienced and qualified journalists.  We are now looking to add new talent (and voices) to WRFM 98.2's news and current affairs output."

 

WRFM 98.2's news programming goes out at 1pm on Saturdays and the Politics show goes out on Sundays from 10am till noon. 

 

Anyone interested is asked to get in touch with the station on 098 24000 or by emailing info@wrfm.ie.  More information is available on www.wrfm.ie.

 

WRFM 98.2 is Westport's community radio station and broadcasts to 2,000 listeners a week each and every Saturday and Sunday from 8am till midnight.

 

The station broadcasts from its studios in the courtyard on James Street and was established with funding from LEADER, Westport Town Council and the generous support of the people of Westport.

 

The station is run and managed by volunteers and is funded entirely by sponsorship by local businesses and donations by the Westport community. 

Church Gate Collection Thanks

The Westport Branch of the Labour Party would like to thank everyone
who gave so generously at their recent church gate collection in
Westport.  In particular Cllr Keith Martin would like to thank the
person who donated a 90-year-old Colombian silver dollar to his
collection bucket.  The coin, which is almost a troy ounce of solid
silver, will be sold to a coin dealer and the proceeds will go towards
the running costs of the Westport Branch of the Labour party.
The coin features the image of Simon Bolivar who is regarded in
Hispanic America as a hero, visionary, revolutionary, and liberator.
During his lifetime, he led Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru,
and Venezuela to independence from Spain, and helped lay the
foundations for democratic ideology in much of Hispanic America.
The coin was donated on the evening of Michael D Higgin's election as President.

Labour Party Branch Meeting

The Westport Branch of the Labour Party will meet on Wednesday
November 8th at 8pm in the Wyatt Hotel.  The meeting will be addressed
by Cllr Keith Martin who will update the members on the activities and
plans of Westport Town Council.  The Presidential election will be
discussed as will plans for a trip to Dail Eireann by the members.
Also on the agenda will be recruitment and fund raising. Membership
forms are available from 086 069 1182.

Statement on Pinewoods walkway

I am happy to confirm to you that the path in question belongs to Westport Town Council and is a public path and as such, is already, always has been and always will be, a public right of way.

As part of the granted planning permission the pathway adjacent to the Lidl site will be upgraded by Lidl, as a condition of their planning permission at their own expense.  This is no way affects the ownership of the pathway.

The work on the Lidl section of the path was delayed by the recent industrial disputes on the site.  This was outside the control of Westport Town Council but is now resolved.  

The rest of the pathway is being upgraded by the Town Council with a €150,000 grant from the Dept of Sports and Tourism. 

All the residents in the area recently received a written update and schedule of the works from me.  

Both sections of the path will be upgraded to same standard as the Greenway and will be part of the 'Northern Greenway', to be maintained as part of the official Greenway, for pedestrian and cycle access. 

All works on both sections of the pathway will be completed by the end of November when the pathway will reopen to the public.

I am very disappointed that it has taken Lidl so long to start work on the pathway.  I know that my neighbours in St Mary's Crescent and the Pinewoods look forward, as I do, to the upgrading of the pathway.  

Cllr Keith Martin

086 0691182

 

Residents of Pinewoods, St Mary's Crescent, Kings Hill, New Road

Dear Neighbours,

 

 

I am writing to update you on the upgrading of the pathway to the Pinewoods from the New Road, past the Lidl development, through to the Pinewoods.

 

As part of the granted planning permission the pathway adjacent to the Lidl site will be upgraded by Lidl, as a condition of their planning permission. 

 

These works have been delayed by the recent industrial disputes on the site.  These were outside the control of the Town Council but are now resolved and Lidl plan to be open for Halloween.

 

The rest of the pathway is being upgraded by the Town Council with a €150,000 grant from the Dept of Sports and Tourism. 

 

Both sections of the path will be upgraded to same standard as the Greenway and will be part of the 'Northern Greenway', to be maintained as part of the official Greenway, for pedestrian and cycle access. 

 

All works on both sections of the pathway will be completed by the end of November when the pathway will reopen to the public.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

____________

Keith Martin

Councillor

Submission

I would like to make the following observations.

According to the Manager's Report there is a surplus of 7 times the
required zoning for residential development in the current plan.

With an excess of lands zoned for housing within the boundaries of
Westport Town Council it is inappropriate for any extra lands to be
zoned within the boundaries of Westport Town Council for residential
housing.  Consequently the Manager's recommendation to zone such lands
north of Westport House estate on the Golf Course Road for residential
development to provide 90 additional units of housing on 6 hectares of
land is unsustainable and inappropriate, contrary to good planning and
practice and should be abandoned. The readiness of Management to
facilitate the above zoning and its disposal to private developers by
removing the phasing of the commercial core is contrary to good
planning and should be abandoned.

It is contrary to good planning, practise and land use to insert an
area of development into the area identified as the historic core of
the estate.  It does not take into consideration proper environmental
and planning considerations such as the visual amenity, historical and
heritage importance of the estate or its proximity to Natura 2000
sites or impact on the listed buildings and structures and their
curtailage.  The historic core is by its very nature in need of
preservation from development yet this plan recommends zoning lands
west Hotel Westport, within the historic core, as being suitable for
development of tourist related buildings.  This is completely
inappropriate development in a very sensitive area of the estate.
Considering the lands removed from the estate by compulsory purchase
by Westport Town Council in the early 1950s this would constitute a
further invasion of the town core into the estate indeed into the
historic core of the estate.  This is unsuitable and inappropriate and
should be abandoned.  This historic core must be sterilised and
protected from any new development.  Such a provision would impact
negatively on the fabric of the overall estate.

The proposal to allow stand alone buildings within the historic core
such as a theatre, conference centre, hotel, etc is contrary to good
planning and practise to zone for such developments.   It does not
take into consideration proper environmental and planning
considerations such as the visual amenity, historical and heritage
importance of the estate or its proximity to Natura 2000 sites or the
listed buildings and their curtailage.  Any such development would
destroy the purpose of the zoning of a historic core and would impact
negatively on the fabric of the estate.

It is good planning to facilitate the pedestrian links with the estate
and the town especially in the vicinity of Church Lane.  It is vital
to the sustainability and viability of the estate that some form of
vehicular access be provided, on restricted dates, to facilitate the
smooth and proper development of the estate as a venue for concerts,
public events and meetings, festivals and fairs which are much more in
keeping with the estate and are sustainable and do not interfere with
the fabric of the estate, its heritage or historic value.

The development of a nursing home in the area known as Colonel's Wood
should be prevented.  It is an inappropriate development in a woodland
and the access road is unsuitable.  Any felling in the area must
result in replanting as the woodland constitutes an important visual
feature of the town.

The lands in Monamore/Drummindoo are not on the town sewerage scheme
or town water supply. The roads in the area are already substandard
and have no footpaths or street lighting. In the Town Development
Plan there are no lands specifically zoned for recreation/amenity.
This area would be best suited to meeting the very real need for such
lands zonings within the Westport area. Westport already has two
industrial estates. The zoning of the lands in Monamore/Drummindoo do
not reflect proper planning practice and are surplus to requirements.

Councillor Keith Martin
33 Pairc na Coille
Westport
Mayo

Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

 

I am writing to you to express my concerns in relation to the proposed zonings of Westport House Demesne which will permit tourism accommodation as well as a hotel or conference centre to be built adjacent to Westport House.

 

The proposals include allowing large single structure buildings i.e. a hotel. hostel or conference centre to be built near the house in the area of the front lawn and to allow holiday accommodation to be built inside the gates at Hotel Westport, down as far as the old zoo.

 

At the meeting of the 28^th of July I raised my objections to both these provisions but no other councillor shared my concerns or would second my motions opposing them.

 

As a result these proposals are now contained within the current Westport Town and Environs Plan for Westport which will be voted on by Westport Town councillors at a meeting later in the year.

 

I am concerned that there is a very low level of awareness of these proposals and am concerned also by the damage such proposals would do to the fabric of Westport House Demesne.

 

In the 1950s Westport Urban District Council acquired by compulsory purchase order a large section of the Demesne on the Newport Road, this was later followed by the development of what is now Westport Woods Hotel and more recently the development of Westport's waste treatment plant on the Golf Course Road.  If we continue to allow elements of the estate to be parceled of for development there will be nothing left of the estate's great heritage.

 

There are many positives within the plan including a visitors' centre detailing the life of Granuaile, the revamping of the existing tourism facilities including new accommodation in the vicinity of the farmyard and campsites and the development of the estate as concert and public event venue.

 

However I would urge those who share my concerns in relation to protecting the historic core of Westport House to contact their local representatives and councilors and make their feelings known before it goes to a vote.

 

Sincerely

 

Keith Martin

Councillor

Westport Town Council

Westport House Submissions

MAP OF WESTPORT HOUSE PLANS
Click above for a copy of the map

Submissions can be made by email to dkeane@mayococo.ie

Deadline 5pm Wednesday September 14th


Labour’s Cllr Martin is calling on Westport people to make submissions
on the new Town and Environ plan before the closing date of September
14th.  The plan deals with Westport House, Knockranny/Colonel woods,
Westport Town and Environs.

Cllr Martin says the public need to be aware of what he calls “drastic
and controversial” zonings proposed in the plan.

Under the new zoning proposals for Westport House Demesne, a large
building such as a 140 bedroom hotel or a conference centre could be
built adjacent to Westport House.  The plan also allows for tourism
development on the estate adjacent to Hotel Westport and for the
development of 90 units of housing in the Demesne on the Golf Course
Road.

Labour’s councilor Keith Martin has previously expressed his concerns
at these developments at the July meeting on the Zoning when he
proposed that no building be allowed near the house and that plans for
tourism development at the Hotel Westport gate be abandoned but his
motion was not seconded by any other councilor.

“I am very concerned that the estate is being dismantled piece by
piece for development.  If we allow this to continue there will be
very little left of the estate to preserve for future generations.”

Cllr Martin did go on to say that he was encouraged by the plans for
the rest of the estate for a visitor’s centre, tourist accommodation
on the current campsite areas and new attractions but that his main
concerns where in relation to the further incursion of the town into
the estate and the proposal for building near the house itself which
would destroy the historic core of the estate.

“I was very disappointed that every other councilor on Westport Town
Council is in favour of cutting up more of Westport House Estate for
development.  I thought that maybe we had learned from the past and
from the recession that housing and development where not stable or
sustainable development.

“I am in favour of facilitating Westport House as a venue for tourism
and for music concerts and public events and to that end we are
working with the residents of Church Lane to allow access for trucks
and Lorries for these events to access the estate from there.  This
would only be a couple of times a year for a few hours and the access
would only be for equipment that cannot be brought over the bridge at
Westport House.

In relation to the Colonel’s Wood development I was the councilor who
lead the original opposition to the idea of a nursing home there.  I
compared its design and location to something akin to the Furher
Bunker and I stand by that.  I am glad that this development will not
be going ahead.  The whole project was just a get rich quick scheme
for Coilte.

“In relation to the Town Centre, of course there is too much land
zoned for housing, there always has been, but I am not in favour or
reopening the whole issue only a year after we finalized the last
plan.  That plan protected the Town Core’s heritage and I was able to
protect the Bank of Ireland garden.  I don’t want to open that can of
worms again.  The whole plan will be up for review in less than four
years and we can have a look then and see where we stand regarding
housing lands.”

“The real problem as far as I am concerned lies outside the town in
the Environs plan where almost all the environs are zoned for even
more housing on lands that are not serviced by Westport Town Council.
Its bungalow bliss out there and you also have the ridiculous
situation of lands like the former coursing field still being zoned
for development.  Development that will never come!

Cllr Martin is calling on people to make submissions on the plan
before the closing date of September 14th.  There is no fee and
submissions can be made in writing or by email to Ann Moore, Town
Clerk, Westport Civic Offices, Westport, Mayo.

Agenda for next week's meeting

 

 

AGENDA

SEPTEMBER MEETING OF WESTPORT TOWN COUNCIL

TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AT 5.30PM

 

 

 

01)     To confirm Minutes of meeting of Westport Town Council held on

          14^th July 2011;

 

02)    To confirm Minutes of Special meeting of Westport Town Council held          on 28^th July, 2011;

 

03)    Planning;

 

04)    To consider report dated 9^th September 2011 in accordance with Part 8

of the Local Government (Planning & Development) Regulations 2001 in respect of proposed Environmental Improvement Works at the Octagon;

           

05)    Update on Roadwork's programme;

 

06)    Tidy Towns Competition 2011;

 

07)    Get Out There Festival 2011;

 

08)    EU Mobility Week 2011;

 

09)    To appoint Amenity Grant Committee 2011;

 

10)     Conference;

 

11)      Any Other Business

Make a submission on the future of Westport Co Mayo. Time is almost up.

Next Wednesday September 14^th is the closing date for submissions on the Westport Town Plan & the Westport Environs Plan. 

• The lands in Monamore/Drummindoo are not on the town sewerage scheme or town water supply. The roads in the area are already substandard and have no footpaths or street lighting

• In the Town Development Plan there are no lands specifically zoned for recreation/amenity; in the Environs Plan there are 5 acres. Any sort of football organisation would need a minimum of 10 acres to meet current and future needs

• We have 2 industrial parks in town, one is virtually empty and the other one is at 50% capacity. Throughout the town we had numerous empty commercial building and shops.

• There are 882 houses/apartments which have planning permission but have not commenced construction. Under the new planning legislation applicants can extend their planning timelines by 5 years even if the land associated with the development is rezoned.

• Per the recent census one in four houses in Westport are unoccupied and the town had a population of approximately 5,500 people. Using a very conservative estimate this would equate to at least 750 houses. This does not take into consideration the 5 unfinished housing estates/apartment blocks in the area.

• The proposed N5 from Castlebar to Westport will run directly through Monamore/Drummindoo. The cost of these lands will be significantly higher if the zoning is changed from "Agriculture" to "Commercial/residential" thus increasing the cost to the tax-payer in multiples of the real value

To see the full report in relation to the latest stage of the Town & Environs Plan please click on the following link:

http://www.mayococo.ie/en/Planning/PlanningNews/StoryIfNoFilesToUpload,16723,en.aspx

If you would like to make a submission please send an e-mail to dkeane@mayococo.ie by next Wednesday September 14^th at 5pm. 

Submission on Zonings

Labour's Cllr Martin is calling on Westport people to make submissions
on the new Town and Environ plan before the closing date of September
14th. The plan deals with Westport House, Knockranny/Colonel woods,
Westport Town and Environs.

Cllr Martin says the public need to be aware of what he calls "drastic
and controversial" zonings proposed in the plan.

Under the new zoning proposals for Westport House Demesne, a large
building such as a 140 bedroom hotel or a conference centre could be
built adjacent to Westport House. The plan also allows for tourism
development on the estate adjacent to Hotel Westport and for the
development of 90 units of housing in the Demesne on the Golf Course
Road.

Labour's councilor Keith Martin has previously expressed his concerns
at these developments at the July meeting on the Zoning when he
proposed that no building be allowed near the house and that plans for
tourism development at the Hotel Westport gate be abandoned but his
motion was not seconded by any other councilor.

"I am very concerned that the estate is being dismantled piece by
piece for development. If we allow this to continue there will be
very little left of the estate to preserve for future generations."

Cllr Martin did go on to say that he was encouraged by the plans for
the rest of the estate for a visitor's centre, tourist accommodation
on the current campsite areas and new attractions but that his main
concerns where in relation to the further incursion of the town into
the estate and the proposal for building near the house itself which
would destroy the historic core of the estate.

"I was very disappointed that every other councilor on Westport Town
Council is in favour of cutting up more of Westport House Estate for
development. I thought that maybe we had learned from the past and
from the recession that housing and development where not stable or
sustainable development.

"I am in favour of facilitating Westport House as a venue for tourism
and for music concerts and public events and to that end we are
working with the residents of Church Lane to allow access for trucks
and Lorries for these events to access the estate from there. This
would only be a couple of times a year for a few hours and the access
would only be for equipment that cannot be brought over the bridge at
Westport House.

In relation to the Colonel's Wood development I was the councilor who
lead the original opposition to the idea of a nursing home there. I
compared its design and location to something akin to the Furher
Bunker and I stand by that. I am glad that this development will not
be going ahead. The whole project was just a get rich quick scheme
for Coilte.

"In relation to the Town Centre, of course there is too much land
zoned for housing, there always has been, but I am not in favour or
reopening the whole issue only a year after we finalized the last
plan. That plan protected the Town Core's heritage and I was able to
protect the Bank of Ireland garden. I don't want to open that can of
worms again. The whole plan will be up for review in less than four
years and we can have a look then and see where we stand regarding
housing lands."

"The real problem as far as I am concerned lies outside the town in
the Environs plan where almost all the environs are zoned for even
more housing on lands that are not serviced by Westport Town Council.
Its bungalow bliss out there and you also have the ridiculous
situation of lands like the former coursing field still being zoned
for development. Development that will never come!

Cllr Martin is calling on people to make submissions on the plan
before the closing date of September 14th. There is no fee and
submissions can be made in writing or by email to Ann Moore, Town
Clerk, Westport Civic Offices, Westport, Mayo.

Welcome for new JLC proposals

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin has welcomed the proposals published by the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation this afternoon in relation to the protection of lower-paid workers in the wake of the Feeney judgment on the JLC/ERO system.

The proposals, he said, lay strong foundations for the introduction of robust and effective legislation which will be prioritised early in the autumn.

The Feeney judgment, which found the JLC/ERO system to be unconstitutional, demanded a swift and imaginative response in order to secure and protect the rights and incomes of those workers in sectors of the economy governed by these wage setting mechanisms.

"These new proposals, particularly with reference to the adult rates and the Sunday working situation represent a substantial move to protect the interests of the lower paid.

"The proposals around the basic adult rates will permit JLCs to set a series of three adult rates to reflect years of service and/ or experience. This is important as this approach allows trade unions and employers, under the JLC system, the space to work out rates appropriate to specific sectors.

"The reliance on Sunday rates and the sacrifices made by those who work on Sundays will also be recognised and copper-fastened under new legislative arrangements. This welcome innovation will provide protection for those who work on a Sunday in the sectors concerned, and this protection is underpinned in legislation.

"A new Code of Practice, based on provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act (1997) will be given legal effect by the government in the new legislation. This Code of Practice will have the strength of enforcement at Labour Court level.

"Essentially, this will ensure that the JLC and REA systems are put on a safe and secure legal and constitutional footing and will allow for a strengthening of protective measures for those working in the JLC sectors."

Briefing Note on the Household Charge

 

        * The Memorandum of Understanding with the EU and IMF commits Ireland to the introduction of a property tax for 2012 and to an increase in the property tax for 2013.

        * The introduction of the Household Charge is an interim measure and proposals for a full property tax will be considered by the Government in due course.  

        * The Household Charge will be €100 in 2012 (less than €2 a week).

        * This charge is another step in reforming the way local authorities are funded; it follows the introduction of the charge on non-principal private residences (NPPR) in 2009.

        * Local representatives can prioritise services, making funding more efficient, transparent and relevant to their community.

        * It will fund local services such as fire and emergency services, libraries, street cleaning, lighting, planting etc.

        *Up until now the Exchequer has contributed to the funding of these services but given the current difficult Exchequer position, the funding now needs to be collected locally through the introduction of this charge.  

        * It is expected to raise some €160 million - based on the number of properties expected to be liable to the charge. The amount raised will be dependent on actual collection rates and the costs incurred in collecting the charge.

        * Every effort will be made to keep administrative costs to the minimum.

        * Owners not occupiers will be liable.

        * Monies raised will be paid into the Local Government Fund and will be allocated back to local authorities by the Minister in General Purpose Grants – this will ensure authorities with low population figures will not suffer unduly as a result.

        * The liability date will be January 2012 and households will have three months to pay. Late payment penalties will apply thereafter (€10 a month).

        * If the charge remains unpaid, it will remain attached to the property - if a property is sold the new owner becomes liable for outstanding monies.

        * This charge has nothing to do with water charges. There will be no flat rate water charge and the Minister will announce plans for the water metering programme in autumn.

 

Collection Methods:

 

        * Collected by LGMA (Local Government Management Agency).

        * Based on the principles of the NPPR charge and its successful collection method.

        * Post or website (once off or direct debit four times a year).

        * Four overriding principles:

1.    Self declaration basis;

2.    Administration costs to be kept to a minimum;

3.    Late payment penalties;

4.    If remains unpaid, charge will remain attached to the property - if a property is sold the new owner becomes liable for outstanding monies.

 

Exemptions:

1.      Properties that are part of the trading stock of a business (not sold or not generated an income);

2.      Social housing, including voluntary and cooperative housing units;

3.      Owned by Government/Health Service Executive;

4.      Owned by a Charity;

5.      Properties where commercial rates apply;

6.      Where a person is forced to leave their house due to long-term mental or physical infirmity (elderly person that has moved into a nursing home).

 

Waivers:

1.     Those in receipt of mortgage interest supplement;

2.     Those in certain category 3 and 4 unfinished housing estates (building, planning, control issues and public safety issues or where developer not contactable and there are public safety issues).

 

 

FH responce

Family fun day in Murrisk for Cystic Fibrosis

The Feile Tir na nOg is back this year to raise funds for the
children's Cystic Fibrosis ward in Mayo General Hospital with a
fundraising family day out in Murrisk this Sunday July 3rd at 2pm.

There is a great line up of musical entertainment, face painting,
dance, wild birds, puppet shows, story telling and giant puppets.

Feile Tir na Nog is fundraising organisation established over 20 years
ago. Every five years or so it organises a family day of
entertainment in Murrisk Car Park to raise funds for worthy causes.
The group's patron is Dr Gabriel Fox FRCPI of Mayo General Hospital.

To date Tir na nOg has raised over €60,000 all of which has been
distributed to good causes such as €10,200 for St Anthony's Special
School in Castlebar, €10,400 for the children's ward of Mayo General
Hospital, €5,900 for the Child Leukaemia ward of the Children's
Hospital in Crumlin and €2,000 for the Chickuni Mission in Zambia.

The group has also made donations to many local charities and causes.
This year the committee aim to raise €8,000 for the children's Cystic
Fibrosis ward in Castlebar with another fun day out for all the family.

Please come out and support this worthy cause.

Westport Town & Environs Plan 2010-2016

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin is urging residents of Westport Town and
its environs to make submissions on the proposed variations to the
Town and Enviorns Development Plan.

Cllr Martin says "The plan determines development in the area and is a
very important planning tool. If people want to have a say as to how
Westport develops now is their chance, this plan governs housing,
commercial and retail development and protects the environmental and
heritage aspects of the town. Westport people should make their
feelings known now."

The Westport Town & Environs Development Plan 2010-2016 was adopted by
Westport Town Council and Mayo County Council on Thursday 28th January
2010 and came into effect four weeks after that date. The plan
provides a framework upon which future development within the plan
area can be assessed. The plan consists of:

Westport Town & Environs Development Plan 2010-2016
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA Statement; Non-Technical
Summary of Environmental Report; Environmental Report)
Appropriate Assessment Conclusion Statement

The plan includes an Architectural Conservation Area. A number of
structures have also been added to the Record of Protected Structures
for Westport Town. Lists of Protected Structures for the plan area,
along with a description of the Architectural Conservation Area, are
set out in Appendix 1 of the plan.

However under new Ministerial guidelines issued by the Dept of the
Environment Mayo County Council and Westport Town Council propose to
vary the Westport Town & Environs Development Plan 2010-2016

Details of the proposed variation in context of the existing plan are
set out in the document entitled Proposed Variation to the Westport
Development Plan May 2011. The need for
environmental/appropriate/flood risk assessments are set out in the
other documents, along with a public notice on the proposed variation.

The Councils invite written submissions/observations to the proposed
variation to be submitted to Ann Moore, Town Clerk, Westport Civic
Offices, Altamont Street, Westport, Co. Mayo or e-mailed to
dkeane@mayococo.ie by 22nd June 2011, not later than 5pm.

Good news for electric car owner

As part of the national rollout of charging points for electric vehicles,

ESB Networks and MCC wish to install a number of units in towns in Mayo. Initially two units are proposed for Westport. The proposed locations are at the Octagon and a second at the Leisure Centre car park, depending on location of suitable ESBN infrastructure. Additional units may follow in the depending on demand.

 

It is intended to start the installation in Westport within the next few weeks.  The installation will consist of the following;

 

·         An on street charging pillar of about 1m high with about a 200mm footprint

 

·         An adjacent micro pillar, this is expected to be smaller that the

normal ESBN mini pillar

 

·         Ducting and cabling between these items and a suitable

existing ESBN mini pillar

 

·         Road marking of the car parking space

 

ESBN will carry out the electrical installation and will install the charging points.  Westport Town Council will be required to install the ducting and mark the car spaces. Initially ESBN will not be charging the car owner for the electricity used to charge their vehicle, this is likely to change in the future as demand grows.  The proposal by ESB Networks and Westport Town Council to provide charging points for electric vehicles in Westport is a welcome development and it will assist Westport in the promotion of sustainable travel.

Festivals in Westport

The following festivals and events have taken place / will be taking place

in Westport in 2011;

 

Festival	Dates	Festival Description
Feile John McGrath	15th – 16th April	Commemorates aspects of  Mayo's culture & heritage including music, language & folklore
Folk & Bluegrass Festival	24th – 26th June	Folk & Bluegrass Festival. In its fifth year. Fifteen acts performing in seven different venues around the town
Westport International Sea Angling Festival	24th – 26th June	Annual Sea Angling Festival incorporating a shore and boat competition
Pulse Westport Triathlon 2011	16th July	Second Westport Triathlon 750m swim, 22.5km cycle and 5km run
Music Festival	5th – 7th August	Family orientated music festival – free nightly outdoor concerts
Heritage Day	7th August	Display of Historical Artefacts, Craft display, entertainment & Traditional music
Gael Force	20th August	Multi sport adventure race involving cycling, running, hiking & kayaking
Cannonball Run	10th September	Charity 3 day fundraising event around Ireland involving supercar enthusiasts. Overnight stop over in Westport
Festival of Sport / Buzz Day		Local sporting organisations participate in Sports Fun Day. Opportunity for all to try out various sports – land & water based
Westport Food Festival	2nd – 4th September	3 day family friendly event to include food village, cookery workshops, demonstrations, tasting events and competitions
Meet on the Reek	23rd – 25th September	Singles weekend involving climb of Croagh Patrick and additional social activities
Horse Fair	24th September	Horse Fair includes showing classes and a dog show
Arts Festival	30th Sept – 9th October	Ten day festival incorporating street theatre and performances, world music, classical music, jazz, traditional music and children's entertainment
Helm Skate	1st – 2nd October	Two day angling festival for common & other species  of skate
Sea 2 Summit	12th November	Two separate adventure races incorporating road running, cycling and a mountain hike
Rolling Sun Book  Festival	12th – 13th November	Inaugural festival held in 2010 - poetry and literary readings, Workshops, recitals of songs & poetry  and a Sunday symposium
Shop n Spraoi na Nollag	December, 2011	Traditional craft/food markets on the Mall. Full entertainment programme over the weekend.

Quiz night

Thanks to all of you who came out and supported our Quiz Night for Westport's local radio www.westcoastfm.com 

We raised almost €1,000 euro.

It is much needed and will be invested in equipping the station on James Street.

Thanks

K

Quiz Night, Friday MAY 13

Hi

Another opportunity for you to come out and support your Radio Station.

Please get a team together and come down and have a bit of fun for a good cause on Friday.

Attendance at this Quiz counts as fundraising activity towards presenting and training!  So please make yourself known at the door to Stephen and Karen so we can record your support!

You can also help out by donating or getting some spot prizes for the night.  Please drop any spot prizes into the station tomorrow,

Thanks guys.  I am asking you all for your support because you gave us your email and said you wanted to help out.  If you want me to opt out let me know and I'll remove your email from the data base.

Thanks again and I hope to seeing you at 8 on Friday!

Keith Martin

Monster Quiz Committee!

Westport Community Radio Monster QUiz

West Coast FM, Westport's Community Radio Station will begin broadcasting from 6pm to 12pm at weekends on the internet from June 4th, and after the initial month will broadcast seven days a week from 6pm to 12pm."

The station hopes to raise much needed funds this Friday May 13^th with a Monster Quiz being held in the Dome Suite of the Castlecourt Hotel.

There's a door prize, live music, raffles and great prizes on offer.  Tadhg McNally will be the compare and quiz master on the night and it promises to be a fun night out.

A maximum of 6 is allowed per team and tickets are €10 per person.   Anyone interested in being a presenter, producer or volunteer is urged to come along and support the station.  The Quiz will start at 8pm and tickets are available on the door.

The studio on James Street is almost complete with two fully equipped studios ready to broadcast on line and on FM.  Programming will begin on the internet and will also broadcast simultaneously on the FM frequency when a community licence is received from the BAI.

Westport Community Radio is supported by Leader funding via South West Development Company, Westport Town Council, local businesses and tradesmen and by the local community.  

For more information on the Quiz or about making a donation or sponsoring programming call the studio on 098 24000 or visit www.westcoastfm.com or become a friend of the station on facebook.com/westcoastFM.

 

 

 

 

Westport Notes

A Monster Quiz night is being held this Friday (May 13^th) to raise funds for West Coast FM, Westport's community radio station in the Castlecourt Hotel at 8pm.  Tickets are €10 each and teams of up to six are allowed.  There is door prize, raffles, live music and great prizes.  Please come along and support your radio station.

Martin felt mugged at meeting over parking charges.

Speaking at last week's monthly meeting of Westport Town Council, on

the issue of on-street parking charges, Labour's Cllr Keith Martin

agreed with Fianna Fail's Brendan Mulroy who accused Fine Gael of

"doing a U-turn" in relation to the introduction of parking charges in

the town.

Having backed the provision of on-street parking charges in the budget

Fine Gael councillors along with Independent Martin Keane underwent a

dramatic "damascan conversion" and withdrew their support from the

byelaws, leaving council officials and Cllrs Mulroy and Martin bemused

and astonished at this sudden change of mind.

Speaking at the meeting in relation to Fine Gael's volte face Cllr

Martin told the councillors that "I myself feel like I've been mugged

and have ended up with two wallets!"

Cllr Martin and Cllr Mulroy were the only councillors to vote against

the 2011 Town Council budget proposals for on-street parking. The

budget, which included a €150,000 provision of income was passed by

all five Fine Gael Councillors and Independent Cllr Martin Keane.

In relation to allegations of "scaremongering" made by Cllrs Hyland

and Gannon in relation to the proposed charges Cllr Martin challenged

that "sometimes you should be scared!"

During the meeting Cllr Martin also promised that he and Cllr Mulroy

would be introducing a byelaw to enforce residents only parking in the

Crescent.

Cllr Martin went on say it was unfair of Fine Gael to point the finger

of blame in the direction of the Town Manager and his staff saying

that the executive "were only carrying out the wishes" of Fine Gael

who voted for the provision of on-street parking charges in the 2011

Budget.

Cllr Martin continued, "good town planning and good retail planning

dictate that parking charges are only introduced to facilitate the

free flow of traffic and to ensure the availability and turnover

parking spaces.

It should never be about raising revenue and should never be used to

implement a tax on car users.

Historically Westport is a retail town and steps have already been

taken to ensure parking turnover by reducing on-street parking from

two hours to one.

We have a number of large scale shopping centres with another about to

open shortly which provide free parking and the introduction now of

parking fees will detract from shopping on our main streets.

There are several towns throughout Ireland as Cllr Mulroy has already

pointed out where the introduction of parking charges has destroyed

town centre shopping so it is important to remember that these charges

are not 100% effective and positive as they have been portrayed by

management.

The arguments in relation to including the Crescent estate in the

parking byelaws are feeble at best. If the council was genuine in its

concerns for the residents it would have proposed to make the area

residents only by way of this byelaw.

That is a sure and simple method of protecting the residents of the

Crescent from the "errant motorists" parking there all day.

The Crescent is a housing estate and not a street and not a car park,

it should be protected by a byelaw in this manner.

The residents of the Crescent were already sold a lemon in the last

decade when they were promised parking permits. They bought their

permits but they were not backed up by byelaws or enforcement and were

not worth the paper they were written on.

In relation to comparing Westport with other towns with on-street

parking none of them are comparable to Westport which has a unique

welcome and is a unique tourism product.

Just because Tourists expect to pay is no reason to charge them for parking.

Charging for parking on Bridge Street is a tax on doing business on

Bridge Street that does not occur if you shop at any of the large

supermarkets in the area.

My opposition to on-street parking charges is about providing a level

playing field for all businesses. It's about protecting the residents

of the Crescent by prohibiting parking not by facilitating it.

That is why Cllr Mulroy and I will be introducing a byelaw before this

council to enforce residents only parking in the Crescent."

New park

Was delighted to attend the opening of Westport's new skateboard and
multi games area on the Railway Line Walk.

Great to see all the kids out enjoying themselves.

Next big event will be opening of the new park on the Golf Course Road
with a 3/4 sized football pitch, parkland, walkway, two playgrounds
and two basketball and volleyball parks.

We will also be starting on a huge state of the art Community Building
for the Quay area in Springfield.

River wall danger near playground

I have asked for this dangerously low wall near the playground to be
fenced off or raised. I will update you when I receive a reply.

Minimum wage to be restored

Very happy that the Minimum wage is to be restored.

It was a disgraceful decision to reduce the wages of the working poor.

First step in the right direction. Looking forward to job creation scheme.