Call for transparency regarding investments into community facilities for Kildare-Newbridge MD
The councillor who raised the matter also claimed that the allocation of investments in the MD were ‘not clear to the ordinary person or councillor’
The need for transparency when it comes to investment for community facilities located in the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) was raised by a local councillor.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey raised the matter at the latest MD meeting, which took place on Wednesday, June 18 last.
He motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to provide "details of planned investment to community facilities (playgrounds, public realm, grants to community organisations, etc) and other investments, if any, for 2025 for Caragh, Kilcullen, Kildare, Monasterevin, Milltown, Rathangan, and Newbridge".
Speaking further about his motion, Cllr Heavey said that he wanted to "establish a process by which decisions are made and someone keeps an eye on them".
He also said: "A settlement as big as Newbridge should get the appropriate amount of spending for community facilities.
"I would like to see some methodology to keep it reviewed and to keep it transparent."
KCC issued two responses to Cllr Heavey’s motion.
The first one read: "The decision process is substantially based on requests from Community and public representatives.
Cllr Noel Heavey, Fianna Fáil. Photograph by Martin Connelly
For the second response, KCC said: "The decision process for investment in community facilities is based on collaboration with communities and public representatives.
"Projects are identified through various council plans and strategies (such as County Development Plan and Local Economic and Community Plan) and availability of a budget."
KCC also pointed out that all community grant schemes "are publicly advertised and independently evaluated with clear guidelines".
Cllr Heavey replied that he accepted the reports but reiterated his belief that Newbridge needs more investment for community spaces.
He also claimed that the allocation of investments in this context is "not clear to the ordinary person or councillor".