Mayo council annex upgrade planning decision deferred
A DECISION on a Part 8 planning application to upgrade the facade of the county council annex building in Castlebar has been deferred.
Councillors want to know how much the project will cost and they also want to know what plans the local authority has to bring the Castlebar Municipal District (MD) offices more to the forefront as part over the overall Áras chamber/foyer redesign and building upgrade.
The annex proposal is part of the overall €3.5 million retrofit of the council's HQ at Áras an Chondae, which is 50% grant supported and was fully supported at the main council meeting.
The annex section, which involves changing the facade of that part of the building from metal cladding to a rendered and painted finish, requires planning permission.
However, while Councillor Harry Barrett proposed that the Part 8 be adopted, no other councillors of the five present at the monthly MD meeting would second it.
Councillors Cyril Burke and Ger Deere were both absent.
Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said where the Castlebar MD is currently located in the annex was only meant to be temporary, and he wondered if this was now making it their permanent home.
Their location at the back of the building wasn't suitable, commented Councillor Donna Sheridan, with Councillor Blackie Gavin saying the MD should be at the front. In any other county council building, you will see the MD office in the foyer. But here they were, in a back room above the canteen, he said.
They had an opportunity two years ago to have their MD buildings in the Imperial Hotel, said Councillor Barrett, which would have been the ideal setting. As it is, they have no proper civic space for hosting dignitaries and having their own municipal space needs to be back on the agenda.
Members were told by municipal head Ann Moore that the costings for the annex section will be got for them. However, with no seconder, the matter was deferred.
Director of services David Mellett, later in the meeting, asked if they wished to revisit the matter so tender documents for the overall project can proceed. And Ms. Moore stressed that they are trying to move the project on.
Councillor Gavin said he didn't have a problem supporting it, but they were short a few euro for the climbing wall project at Lough Lannagh, and that was where he has a problem.
They want to see what is the plan for the MD offices, Councillor Sheridan added, before they approve it.
If someone presents to them on both of the above, they would be happy to meet at short notice to advance the Part 8, she said.
Councillor Barrett said he didn't know if not supporting the Part 8 would advance the climbing wall. The project aren't tied, he pointed out.
Ms. Moore explained that what was before them related to retrofit - doors, windows, roof insulation, which will improve the building.
With the matter standing deferred, Mr. Mellett noted the councillors' requirement for information on the cost of retrotting the annex and plans for the Castlebar MD in the Áras building.
* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme