Council chief urged to outline plan for costly upgrade of HQ

The chief executive of Mayo County Council has been tasked with issuing a press release to address public unease at a proposed spend of over €2 million for the refurbishment of the chamber and lobby area at Áras an Chontae in Castlebar.

Councillors had approved borrowings of €4.15 million at their meeting in February to fund a number of projects, including energy retrofits of Áras an Chontae, Westport Leisure Centre, Ballina Swimming Pool and the headquarters of Mayo Fire Service in Castlebar.

However, the matter was raised again at last week's meeting when Cllr Patsy O'Brien said the proposed renovation of the council chamber was attracting a lot of public attention.

"It is not clear how up to €2.5 million is being spent on the Áras. People are questioning the cost being so high for such a small chamber, so I request first of all that the chief executive prepare a press release to the public about what it entails, as there is a feeling it is money being wasted. 

"This should not have to be subsidised by a loan from the people of Mayo, it should be paid for by central government. This is a state building, and it is a solid investment and after 22 years as a councillor, I have seen the difficulties around access and egress and particularly disability access. But the right message needs to get out there.” 

Cllr Damien Ryan said the Áras was a “premier building in the county and it is very important it meets the same standards of all others".

“To clear up a lot of the speculation and innuendo, we ask the chief executive to prepare a report on what is involved."

The proposal was unanimously approved.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.