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Crosshaven ‘village' is losing out on funds to Bandon and Kinsale

August 25th, 2017 11:20 AM

By Kieran O'Mahony

Crosshaven is designated as a ‘village' and not a town.

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A councillor has said that ‘it is nothing short of a disgrace' that the seaside village of Crosshaven received no funding to maintain the town entrances and approach roads, despite both Bandon and Kinsale receiving €20,000 and €15

A COUNCILLOR has said that ‘it is nothing short of a disgrace' that the seaside village of Crosshaven received no funding to maintain the town entrances and approach roads, despite both Bandon and Kinsale receiving €20,000 and €15,000 respectively. 

Cllr Aidan Lombard (FG) made the comment at a recent meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District where councillors were given details of the funds which will go to the upkeep of both town's entrances and approach roads. 

The presentation outlined that grass will be cut more often during the summer months, a mechanical road sweeper would also be deployed, and more weed spraying would be carried out.

‘Crosshaven is not included at all and it gets zero, despite it having half the population of Bandon. There has to be some fairness really and it's nothing short of a disgrace and this has to be redrawn,' said Cllr Lombard.

Municipal officer Enda O'Halloran said that they had highlighted this to officials already but that this funding is based on the County Development Plan where Crosshaven is classed as a village and not a town.

Cllr Lombard said this was a recurring thing in this Municipal District in relation to Crosshaven. ‘People are so annoyed with Cork County Council in Crosshaven. They consider themselves a town and to say that they're not entitled to funding is a smack in the face.'

Senior Council executive engineer Charlie McCarthy said the grants are based on what the Council decides are towns and that the issue of Crosshaven being labelled a town would need to be addressed at a County Development Plan meeting.

However, Cllr Lombard pointed out that the people of Crosshaven had to raise €16,000 for their Christmas lights while both Bandon and Kinsale receive money every year. ‘It's not a one-off, it's just Bandon and Kinsale only,' argued Cllr Lombard.

Mr O'Halloran said that every year groups in both Bandon and Kinsale submit applications for funding and that those in Crosshaven should do it too.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) said that while she welcomed the funds for both Bandon and Kinsale, the omission of Crosshaven was ‘stark' and that it ‘certainly deserves funding.'

‘This is a great boost for the Tidy Towns committees in both towns who have been asking for extra funding and this money will go towards cleaning signs, which in some areas are poor and grubby,' said Cllr Coughlan.

Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) said that the local authority was doing this work before the crash and said it was unfortunate that Crosshaven wasn't included.

Cllr Lombard added that this is extra funding that Crosshaven isn't getting and he said he would find it difficult to go back and tell the people of the town that they will not receive any funding.

Newly elected chairperson Cllr Rachel McCarthy (SF)  said she thought there was merit in bringing a motion to the full Council on the matter and Cllr Lombard agreed to do so to seek funding for Crosshaven under this scheme.

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