BRAY TIDY TOWNS ‘UNDER-FUNDED’
BRAY’S Tidy Towns group was broke before it got a recent cheque for €4,000 from central Government.
This was funding approved by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring to mark the 60th anniversary of the national competition.
The Bray group gave a presentation to Bray Municipal District last Tuesday evening and said that if the cheque for €4,000 had not arrived, they would have had to hang up their boots.
Chairperson Mimi Megannety and secretaries Mary-Anne Parsons and Mary Hargaden addressed the meeting, outlining all of the work that had been done in the past years, the fact that Bray achieved a bronze medal this year and an increase in points, and the projects they would like to do in the future. They need at least €5,000 for the work for the coming year, they said.
Their many goals include focussing on Little Bray and approach roads in that area, installing planters with flowers, sculpture for the roundabouts competition, a biodiversity trail, shop front competition, sustainable Bray project and ‘Welcome to Bray’ signs.
Mimi Megannety said that there was a large disparity between what other groups in the county had received from local councils compared to Bray.
Greystones got €5,000, Kilcoole €2,500, and Roundwood and Glenealy €1,000 each.
Bray got nothing until it made representations and got €1,000. The group also received €300 under the community awards scheme.
‘We have had no support from councillors this year and it’s very disappointing,’ said Ms Megannety.
She said that the exception was Cllr Steven Matthews, who is a member of the Tidy Towns committee.
Cllr Brendan Thornhill said that Tidy Towns groups and volunteers are the essence of success for a town.
‘You do fabulous work. You can’t even measure the amount of success that can come out of the investment of money in Tidy Towns. We, as a council, should support your brilliant work.’
Cllr Michael O’Connor proposed that members at least look at some place where the group can access funds. ‘As you said, if you don’t do the work, and hang up your boots, the council will have to do it.’
Cllr John Ryan said that he could hear the immense frustration in what had been said. He said that the funding model had changed with the disposal of the Town Council, replaced by the Municipal District. ‘ The Municipal District has very little funds itself,’ he said.
He said that with the situation on the Southern Cross, the District would hopefully be getting €700,000.
‘You said we do nothing and let you down,’ said Cllr Ryan. ‘We’ve worked really hard to get €46 million into the town with the Dargle Flood Scheme, which allowed us to have walkways and the boardwalk. That’s a game-changer for this town.
‘Another gamechanger was the decision to purchase the part of the Florentine site it didn’t own to develop it.’
He said that he agreed with them about signage in the town, and the luminous signs on shops with open, tacky horrible shopfronts.
During their presentation, the Tidy Towns delegation sought consideration for special area of architectural conservation status to improve the appearance of the town.
Cllr Joe Behan said that he was reeling from what had been said.
‘It’s difficult to hear, but thank you for saying it. I can only speak for myself. It has struck a chord and you are speaking for all the other volunteers.’
He said that in the previous Town Council, they would have been in a much better position in assisting what was originally the Beautiful Bray Association. He remarked that Ms Megannety’s late mother had been one of the strongest community activists back then.
‘ There was a bigger budget and we were in control of rates, planning and roads,’ he said.
‘ The decision to take control away from the town was a seriously retrograde step and detrimental for the people of this town,’ said Cllr Behan. ‘ To add insult to injury, the people are paying through their pockets a property tax we really don’t have benefit from. If we got the smallest fraction we could put it into the projects. We’re in a ridiculous situation in which we have to go to Wicklow with a begging bowl for a measly few thousand to assist with some of the projects.
‘I can’t offer a magic promise or solution tonight except that I will think seriously about what you have said and explore avenues we haven’t in terms of funding.’
Cllr Steven Matthews said that until the cheque arrived from the Department, Tidy Towns was out of money. ‘ To work with a group with such ability, enthusiasm, vision and drive and see them frustrated by not getting a small amount of money they can do so much with is atrocious,’ he said. ‘ Tidy Towns was just about to go under. That cheque was a lifeline to push on a bit more and see if we can get some proper, decent funding.’
He said that he has no doubt that with funding the projects would be done, done well, and would be something the volunteers and town could be proud of.
‘When looking at the scoring this year, I have no doubt we could increase in all categories and aim for a silver medal,’ he said.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Christopher Fox said that the start of two further litter wardens in the town can only benefit Bray.
He said that councillors will actively consider the submission on conservation areas.
He said that in the Wicklow funding model, councillors allocated €200,000 to community grants. That’s the last involvement they have. Then the department canvass for applications and allocate as they see fit.
‘ There is no doubt that Bray councillors were very disappointed with the Bray Tidy Towns allocation. We made our feelings very clear how disappointed we were with the meagre allocation.’
He noted that there is a separate tourism project fund which can’t be allocated just to an association but rather a specific project.
He said he would like to sit down with them before next year’s allocation to discuss preparing a submission for that funding.
‘I will do everything I can to increase your funding over the coming year,’ said Cllr Fox. ‘All councillors will look at options. There is no doubt you have been underfunded and that has to be addressed.’ IN a notice of motion, Councillor Joe Behan asked that the council receive a detailed report on the flooding of the back gardens of the residents of Newcourt Road which back onto the playing fields of Presentation College – specifically the houses adjacent to the back entrance to Presentation College.
Mr Forde said that this drainage issue is a civil matter between adjoining property owners. Recent information provided by residents in the area suggests that flooding has not been a problem for approximately two years. However, if the problem reoccurs and is brought to the attention of the council, the matter can be reviewed in the context of other planned drainage works by the council on Presentation College lands.
Cllr Behan said that he will put the engineer in touch with a resident. IN a notice of motion by Councillor Brendan Thornhill, he asked that the council repair the footpath on Victoria Avenue on the left hand side going from Meath Road towards the seafront.
Mr Forde said that this will be assessed in the context of available funding for footpath repairs in 2018.