Community Futures success but inflation fears are voiced
Cllr Gerry Murray raised the isssue.
A local councillor has said smaller capital projects that are part-funded by Mayo County Council get “overtaken” by inflation and are not being delivered as a result.
During a presentation at the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District by the council’s Community and Integrated Development Department on its Community Futures Programme, Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray said a lot has been delivered through the initiative but it is frustrating that costings have meant that small capital projects are not being delivered.
The Government provides 75% of funding for these projects with the remaining 25% coming from the local authority, however, Cllr Murray said this was preventing good projects from coming to fruition.
“A lot has been delivered through Community Futures plans but it is frustrating when small capital projects cannot be delivered. The 75/25 is tough for local authorities. There are a cluster of capital projects that have been bogged down by this 25% requirement,” he said.
“The grand package from Government, if they want to be serious about community development, should be 100% or if they want to penny-pinch, 90% with 10% from local authorities because projects are funded but are then overtaken by inflation.”
Eileen O’Connor, who is the Community Futures Lead with Mayo County Council, explained that 42 Community Futures plans have been created to date and 23 plan renewals have taken place. Two communities have renewed their plans a second time while Belcarra is also about to do so.
She said the programme has been mostly targeted at towns and villages but the council also allow smaller areas to come together, such as 20 townlands around Brackloon, and then formulate a five-year plan.
Director of Services Tom Gilligan said Community Futures has been a tremendous success.
“This programme underscores energy, enthusiasm and community spirit. There is ambition and effectiveness that strengthens social cohesion and the quality of life for all residents,” he said.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
