Connaught Telegraph - County Mayo

Some articles from the Connaught Telegraph from 1996 to 1999

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Westport selected for prestigious Entente Florale competition

 

Westport in County Mayo has been selected to represent Ireland in the prestigious European Entente Florale Competition.18 November 1998

 

 

Council manager prepares estimates for next year as Westport has been selected to represent Ireland in the prestigious European Entente Florale Competition.

Each year one large town and one small town are chosen to represent this country and compete in Europe.

Westport will compete in the large town section in the 1999 event.

Westport Urban Council Town Manager, Mr. Padraig Hughes has disclosed the town's involvement in the Entente Florale in his Estimate of Expenses and managers report for the financial year ending December 31 1999.

Mr. Hughes stated: "The results of the Tidy Towns Competition and the achievements of particular towns are used as a basis for making these prestigious nominations.

"If Westport is to win the Tidy Towns Competition and the Entente Florale Competition, it will involve an even greater co-ordinated effort by this council and the people of the town."

In his report Mr. Hughes added: "Litter is a continuing problem in Westport. In an effort to create a greater awareness of the litter problem and to encourage community awareness the council undertook an anti-litter campaign targeting schools in the area. This campaign, he said would continue during the coming year."

In his overview of the estimates Mr. Hughes said Westport was a thriving town which was continually expanding.

"While marked progress has been made over the past year in the provision of infrastructure and services this expansion creates both difficulties and challenges for Westport UDC.

"The councillors and staff have critically examined the services and facilities in the town and have formulated proposals to better serve the town as we head towards a new millennium."

The blueprint for the physical strategy for Westport in the form of the Westport Development Plan has been prepared in draft form and is currently on public display and observations are invited from the public.

Mr. Hughes emphasised the recent study visit by the UDC to York would very much assist the council in its deliberations when the final plan was under consideration.

BUILDING BOOM

Mr. Hughes pointed out that 1998 saw building work in Westport reach an all time high. Most of the activity, he said, was in the accommodation sector under the Pilot Relief Scheme for Certain Resort Areas.

He said: "Given the increased number of visitors expected in Westport it will be important to ensure that there will be facilities and infrastructure to cater for this market.

"Work has commenced on the All-Weather Leisure facility at James street. It will include a 25m swimming pool, children's pool, spa pool, hot tub, steam room, saunas, health suite, multipurpose hall, juice bar and 100 parking spaces.

"This facility will cost in the region of £5.5m and its provision will improve the quality of life for local residents together with making available facilities for visitors to Westport. The centre is expected to open for next summer."

Referring to car parking, Mr. Hughes said a further addition to the town centre parking capacity was made during 1998 when the council purchased additional land at James street resulting in a total of 120 car parking spaces.

Negotiations, he said, were on-going for the acquisition of further lands for car parking in the town centre and the council had recently made a CPO for the acquisition of lands to the rear of Mill Street - High Street which will accommodate up to 200 spaces.

Mr. Hughes has recommended the adoption of a rate in the £ of £48.36, an increase of 5% over the 1998 charge of £46.06, together with a domestic refuse charge of £80 per household.

 

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - November 1998