Plans for foyer and chamber discussed

PLANS TO renovate the public foyer at County Buildings and the council chamber divided opinion at Monday’s meeting with some members opposed to spending close to €1 million on the two projects.

It was outlined to members that €497,000 has been estimated as the cost required for the upgrade of the foyer while €377,000 is required to implement the proposed chamber plan.

Chief executive Frank Curran said that the foyer would be significantly upgraded to afford more privacy to members of the public while they conduct their business.

He also indicated that a plan to extend the size of the chamber has been drawn up, to include improved audio-visual facilities, tiered seating and improved public and press areas.

Mr Curran said that the cost would be repaid over nine or 10 years and at the end of the works, a ‘state of the art’ facility would be presented.

Cllr Joe Behan expressed serious concern about the proposed chamber spend.

‘Close to €1 million is a lot of money to spend when we cannot fix the potholes in the road,’ he said. ‘People are paying their property tax and getting nothing in return. I accept work needs to be done in the foyer but I propose breaking the work into two sections. I’m not at all happy with the proposal for the council chamber,’ he said.

Cllr Behan criticised what he said was a ‘complete redesign of the circular council chamber and that not enough work has been done to see if a circular design is possible within the space available.

‘The public cannot see what’s happening. There is complete disregard for the press. They are sitting at a tiny desk with the seats way back and the rain falling in on them. Were they even consulted about this plan?’ he added.

‘The three tiers are like a church and all that’s missing are kneelers put in front of the CE and the chairman,’ Cllr Behan said.

Cllr Jennifer Whitmore seconded Cllr Behan’s proposal and said that she failed to see what the value of such an investment in the chamber was.

‘Certainly from my point of view the chamber, as it is has never prevented me from doing my job and I fail to see what difference it would really make,’ she said.

Cllr Shay Cullen held the opposite view and commended Mr Curran for having the ‘foresight to bring the Part 8 to the chamber for approval’.

He said that the public is entitled to a modern and progressive facility which enables people to conduct their business in a professional manner.

‘The issues Cllr Behan raised will be dealt with within this upgrade. Any house we live in needs upgrades and we will be paying for this over 10 years so it is a worthwhile project,’ he said.

Cllr Cullen was supported in his proposal to proceed by Cllr Gráinne McLoughlin who said that it makes no sense to complete the works in ‘piecemeal’.

‘Why do people think that just because we are councillors, we shouldn’t have the best facilities? This chamber is not fit for purpose and it needs to be brought into the 21st century. It is dismal coming in here on a monthly basis. I won’t be here myself in the future but I want others to have a proper working environment,’ she said.

The proposed introduction of tiered seating was raised by Cllr Mary Kavanagh who said that every effort should be made to retain ‘round table talks’ which mean that everyone is of equal status.

‘I do not agree with three tiers and I suggest that we should have more than one design to consider,’ she said.

Cllrs voted to proceed with the plan as outlined by Mr Curran.