Local groups benefit from grants
Twenty one local groups benefited from €35,000 set aside by Westport town councillors in the 2009 budget. The top three main beneficiaries last year were Westport Arts Festival which received €5,000; McConville Park Community Playgroup which was in receipt of €4,500; and Westport Youth Activities Club which was given €3,000.
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Myles Staunton, said during the monthly town council meeting, that the groups who will benefit the most from money set aside for them in the 2010 budget should be invited along to a town council meeting to outline how the money made available to them has benefited the group and the town at large.
Leisure centre commended for disability provision
Town manager Peter Hynes congratulated Westport Leisure Centre on its recent ILAM white flag and gold award for disability provision in the complex and said that as there are only four gold awards presented in the entire country, Westport is “punching well above its weight” in disability progress.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said that Westport Town Council has “an excellent record” when it comes to the moving forward of disability services in the town and added that he looked forward to a future meeting when the manager of the leisure centre, Dermot Langan, might take up the council’s invitation to discuss the services available at the leisure centre.
However the Fianna Fáil councillor said that “from a financial point of view” the current funding given to the centre needs to be examined and discussed as part of the town’s budget for 2010.
‘Abuse’ of HSE housing in the town
Fine Gael Councillor Christy Hyland said that the town council should play a part in stopping “the abuse” of the HSE in “throwing out money”, as according to the councillor some people in the town have two houses paid for them by the HSE, with one of these houses in other jurisdictions.
Mr Hynes said that the rent supplement scheme is a “fraught area” which will be placed on a future town council agenda to examine how the system operates.
Shop ‘n Spraoi in Westport
From December 11 to 13 there will be a Christmas festival in the town with 60 stalls set up at the Mall, Westport, featuring crafts and baking from local producers. The packed itinerary over the three days will also feature exhibitions, workshops, Santa’s Grotto, straw boys, Christmas carols, a lantern parade, and a live crib.
Fuel appeal
Cllr Martin Keane asked for public support for the forthcoming collection for the Christmas fuel appeal.
