Mayor of Mallow Cllr. Noel O Connor is pleased to announce that at last nights Estmates Meeting of Mallow Town Council the members approved the Budget for 2013 unanimously. They members struck a rate of 57.88 euros , with no increase on last years rate. This rate, in fact, is the lowest rate in Councy Cork. ” As Mayor I was pleased that this Budget was passed by all 9 councillors with no dissention. It is a difficult time for everyone. The Manager gave an undertaking that there would be no increase in the rents charged to council tenants this year. I am pleased that the co-operation between this council and the Traders in the Town and the Chamber of Commerce will continue in particular in relation to discussions on promotion of the Town and in relation to signage. ” Mayor O Connor continued ” The Town Manager Tom Stritch announced in his report to the Budget meeting that subject to Planning that it is envisaged that work will commence on the upgrading of Davis Street and improving traffic movement . Provision will be made for this in the Capital Budget.This will be a huge boost not alone for the lower part of the town but will enhance the image of the whole town. In fact preparatory work will commence in the coming weeks.” Continuing Mayor Noel O Connor went on to say ” A major priority for this year is identified in the Book of Estimates. it is stated clearly here that the purchase of the Town Park in Mallow, which is presently leased from the Michael Jefferson is a priority to progres in 2013. I gave my assurance last night that as Mayor I would do everything possible to support the Twon Management in bringing this about. Now that Mallow Castle is in public ownership it is only right that the issues pertaining to the ownership of our Town Park be resolved.” ” The members of Mallow Town Council were glad to hear that the Town Municipal Swimming Pool continues to be supported well by the people of the Town and the surrounds.I am glad that in the Estimates for this year once again we have included funding fro the Garden and Estates Competition and there is also specific funding provided fro the Tidy Towns Committee. Other Community Groups will continue to be suported be the Town Council in what was heretofore known as the Arts and Culture Fund. And finally we have, in the budget set aside monies to upgrade the Town Park Playground which is so much used by parents and their smaller children” ” All in all a good Budget where we try to distribute limited funding in the best way possible. There was good interaction between members and the executive. The main area where councillors had difficulty with the management was in the area of traffic control and in paricular the New Pay Parking Regime tha was introduced last year. Management listened carefully to the members concerns and came up with a compromise. It will now be the case from Febuary 6th that pay parking will commence at 10.00 am and continue up to 5.00 pm This is significant improvement on the conditions presently in existence. It was also decided to highlight the fact that pay parking in Mallow is very reasonably priced
8th January, 2013