Mayo councillors set out their demands before they agree to support council project

Mayo councillors have refused to approve changes to the building facade of the Annex building of Áras an Chontae until they get commitments for projects in the Castlebar Municipal District.

In an unexpected development, Castlebar councillors blindsided Mayo County Council officials when they refused to approve a Part 8 planning application for the Annex building at the back of Áras an Chontae with one councillor stating they had to put their foot down.

The councillors told the council officials that they wanted commitments for a permanent Castlebar Municipal District office and funding for the Lough Lannagh climbing wall before they approve the planning application.

The council sought the approval of the local councillors to make changes to the building facade of the Annex building from metal cladding to a rendered and painted finish. The project is part of the €3.5 million SEAI Pathfinder Programme to deep-retrofit Áras an Chontae with 50 percent funding coming from the SEAI.

Director of Services for the Castlebar Municipal District, David Mellet appealed for the councillors to reconsider their decision and approve the Part 8 application.

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Independent councillor Harry Barrett was the only councillor to agree to propose the application but he received no seconder from any of the four other councillors present at the monthly meeting.

“We made a decision on it,” commented Cllr Blackie Gavin who had earlier asked that Mayo County Council secure a loan to cover the shortfall for funding the climbing wall project.

“I don't have a problem supporting [Part 8] but because we are short a few euro for the climbing wall which is one of the capital projects going on since 2014, that is where I have a problem. It is a shovel ready project but here we are spending €3.5 million. I am very passionate about it [climbing wall] and we will miss a golden opportunity if it is lost,” he said.

Castlebar councillors failed to agree approve Part 8 planning to change the facade of the Annex building at the back of Áras an Chontae

Fine Gael councillor Donna Sheridan also refused to second the proposal to approve the Part 8 saying she wanted a commitment on the new Castlebar Municipal District office before she will agree to do so.

“If we don't put our foot down now we will not get anything,” she said. “We want to see a proper plan for our district offices before we agree for a Part 8 because if we do it, it will be all done and dusted and we won't hear anything for another seven years.”

The new Head of the Castlebar Municipal District, Anne Moore explained that the council would like to see the Pathfinder projects move on as quickly as possible in order for them to comply with their 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse emissions. She also confirmed that the change to the Annex is the only part of the project which will require approval from the councillors.

Cllr Barrett said he was proposing approving the Part 8 project because he could not see how rejecting it could advance the cause of the climbing wall.

“I would like to see money ringfenced here to advance facilities that are spent in a timely manner,” he said.

Neither Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne or the Cathaoirleach of the municipal district Al McDonnell seconded his proposal with Cllr Kilcoyne saying it should be deferred to a later date.

Cllr Gavin said that if they get a commitment from the council officials to their requests, they could attend a special meeting to approve the Part 8 within a week.