Housing is the biggest challenge says newly elected Cathaoirleach of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District
Housing is the biggest challenge facing the county Cllr Michael Burke said as he was voted in as Cathaoirleach of Claremorris and Swinford Municipal District Council on Wednesday.
Cllr Burke thanked everyone for their unanimous support in his nomination that was proposed by outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr Alma Gallagher and seconded by outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Damien Ryan.
Cllr Ryan passed the council chain onto Cllr Burke as he took his seat at the head of the table and said,
“I look forward to working with all the team. I look forward to working with the press. I plan on being a fair chairman,
“The migration situation, housing, planning, the geopark in our own area [are] going to be a huge issue for this county. Housing is the biggest problem we have. I feel personally that there is enough land out there for people to build on.”
“The small builder that supplied the houses in county Mayo and main rural Ireland, they’re not in operation anymore. The only reason they are not in the business is they can’t get the finance.
“We are fortunate in our area that we have a builder that’s going to be building a few houses and apartments over the next two years, but if we could get that happening in every town in the county, we would start to solve the housing problem very, very quickly.”
Cllr Ryan said of his successor, “He is a massive advocate for the south of the county and the town of Ballinrobe. I have no doubt that this area will be in safe hands in the next 12 months.”
Cllr Burke has previously held the positions of Cathaoirleach for Mayo County Council from 2010 to 2011, the Chairperson of the Ballinrobe Enterprise Centre, and the Vice Chairperson of the Ballinrobe Town Hall Development Committee.
Cllr John Caulfield was elected into the position of Leas-Cathaoirleach. His nomination was proposed by Cllr Adrian Forkan and seconded by Cllr Ryan. The decision was supported unanimously by the council.
Cllr Caulfield said, “Thank you for the proposal, and indeed, if there is any assistance needed, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”
Cllr Gallagher wished her successor all the best and said,
“I want to congratulate John. I know you have had a trying 12 months, but I want to wish you all the best, and onwards and upwards from here on in, please God.”
This is the first annual general meeting within Mayo’s municipal districts. Both Castlebar and Ballina are holding their elections later today, with the Westport-Belmullet district convening tomorrow next Monday.
Mayo County Council will choose the new Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach on Friday morning. Currently, Fianna Fáil Cllr Seán Carey from Belmullet is predicted to be named the new Cathaoirleach.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael agreed to work together after the results of last year’s local elections, and the position is expected to transfer smoothly to Cllr Carey from the current Fine Gael Cathaoirleach, John O’Hara.
This article was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.