Councillors voice support for ‘proactive’ Belcarra community

THE proactive community of Belcarra was hailed by local councillors when they visited to hold their April municipal district meeting on a gloriously sunny spring day that showed off the village to its finest.

A presentation by Belcarra Community Council PRO Dean Kenny outlined a vast array of projects and events over the past year, from welcoming visitors to view the rare heron who took up temporary residence for a while, to opening a new MUGA, the annual 8k, graveyard maintenance, works at the tennis court, and the list goes on.

The community has three specific areas where it is seeking support from the council, Mr. Kenny outlined: public realm improvements (road markings, address crumbling footpaths, speed reduction measures), GMA funding for the 8k this year, and addressing dereliction.

The response was positive to working with them on these, with all councillors voicing their ongoing support for what is a 'very proactive community'.

Councillor Ger Deere told community council members who hosted their meeting that the future of Belcarra 'is in safe hands' and the village is a template for others. In particular, they were happy to share their learnings with everyone and that was the mark of the village and community, he said.

Councillor Harry Barrett agreed it is a model for other villages in the county.

Dereliction, he noted, is a crisis across the county and it's an issue the council has to get more serious about.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Donna Sheridan agreed there is an urgency for something to be done about it.