*Photograph: John Mangan
ADEQUATE FINANCES need to be set aside to enable for maintenance work in recreational areas across Shannon Town.
In a proposal before the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) called on Clare County Council to put in place “adequate finance for the ongoing maintenance of Shannon River Walk, Shannon Town Park and all the other recreational areas in Shannon that come under the local authority and are being used by the public”.
Senior executive engineer in the Shannon MD, Tom Mellett explained that it receives funding each financial year once Clare County Council’s budget has been adopted by elected members.
He stated, “it is the responsibility of the Municipal District to manage its allocated budget for identified projects and general maintenance as appropriate, operating within the public spending code”.
Speaking at the Shannon MD meeting, Cllr Flynn commented, “It is noticeable the man I didn’t send it to responded, I put the motion down to help Tom and it should go down for budgetary discussions, we know the restraints he is working under”.
Flynn continued, “Our Head of Finance is disgruntled with the negative responses they’re getting from the senior engineer but maybe if they gave the money the response wouldn’t be so negative. The world of people not just in Shannon are coming in to avail of these recreational facilities”.
A regular maintenance contract is needed, Cllr Flynn maintained.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) remarked that people were “coming from all over” to participate in the Park Run every Saturday morning in Shannon. Support was also voiced by Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF).
