TIMMINS IS NEW COUNTY COUNCIL CATHAOIRLEACH
WICKLOW County Council’s new Chairman Edward Timmins paid tribute to outgoing Cathaoirleach Pat Fitzgerald on Monday at County Buildings.
‘He has given total commitment to this job over the past 12 months. I wish him well.
Cllr Timmins said that he has a number of areas which he hopes to emphasise in the coming year. ‘The guiding principle for what we all do here must be what is best for Wicklow.’ Items at the top of his list include checking that Wicklow is receiving its fair share of national funding, and a introducing a system that ensures that Wicklow avails of any grants that are available.
He wants the council to continue to allocate more funding from the county budget to the districts. ‘If councillors wish items to be discussed then I will support this and endeavour to put it on the agenda. I’d prefer if it was done via the Council agenda and not through a suspension of standing orders.’
He wants to see the council make progress on walking and cycling groups as well as the development of public spaces as well as a literary trail.
‘Id like to see an end to the restriction on who can buy houses in our towns and villages,’ he said. On roads Cllr Timmins woould like progress on the R747 linking the east coast at Arklow to the M9 just west of the county boundary. ‘I will support the development of business,’ he said. ‘I have worked for 16 years for a large employer in County Wicklow.
‘we Councillors are the closest elected reps to the public,’ said Cllr Timmins. ‘We are the public’s first port of call. We are the closest point in our democracy to the people. And in the Council staff we have the most accountable section of the public service. I look forward to working with all members and staff over the coming year.’