'Lack of direction' by Offaly County Council Council highlighted in business election issues survey

A “lack of direction” by Offaly County Council when it comes to the development of major projects has been identified as a number one concern of business people in Tullamore in the lead up to next June's local elections.

The survey, which asked respondents to identify their top three concerns, was the brainchild of the Secretary of Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce, Roger Guiney and was undertaken over the past number of weeks. Mr Guiney said the “issues (identified in the survey) are very much a reflection of the national picture but with a local spin.”

“We have our own problems in Tullamore with vacant sites and premises, the cost of business, the lack of time-frames for major projects and rising costs,” he outlined.

Chamber of Commerce President, Anthony Hanniffy, said the survey's findings provide a fascinating insight into the issues affecting businesses in Tullamore and other areas of the county.

He added it was unsurprising the cost of business and development issues were two major concerns.

One respondent identified a lack of direction “with no sense of a target where the council and the public should be all working towards” as their major concern.

They added; “There should be a clear sense of what we are trying to achieve. There is way too little progress on key projects. Tullamore is blessed with many key assets but each of them has not yet made sufficient progress. For example, with Tullamore Harbour there is no sense of what is proposed and an end date for the project.”

Dwelling on the harbour, the respondent continued: “For a midland town to be sitting on this undeveloped central site, which would create a huge focal point for public amenity with a water attraction, for so long would be unacceptable in most EU countries, let alone a rich EU country”.

The respondent also hit out at the lack of credible plans to develop the Charleville Forest Estate and Durrow Cross and Abbey as visitor attractions.

Another respondent said it is not “unusual to read about tremendous new developments but the story seems to end there.”

“I believe that Tullamore must develop and grow to keep up with other towns. I love Tullamore as it is is but consistent inaction will see the town slip behind other towns and potentially loose out to foreign direct investment, Government and EU funding as well as seeing its sporting and retail prominence shrink compared to competitive towns in the region.”

Another respondent said Tullamore was “becoming a victim of its lack of ambition”.

“Offaly County Council must look to the future with more ambition rather than thinking so conservatively about the impact of the last recession. The council has to think of what it can do to make Tullamore the best place to live in Ireland.”

The cost of business, rising costs, the problem in getting staff and the movement of business outside the town centre were also referred to by respondents.

The lack of football and the appearance of the town centre were also highlighted in responses to the survey.

One respondent said: “The town centre is very dilapidated looking between vacant shops and existing shops needing attention. The retail offering is seriously lacking compared to our neighbours. There is a need for a large footprint development in the town centre in order to attract the destination retailers.”

The minimum wage rate, high social welfare payments discouraging people to enter the workforce and the “ease” with which sick certs were given by doctors were also also mentioned. Also problems getting staff were highlighted with one respondent complaining too many were being paid under the counter and not contributing to taxation.

Lack of housing was described as a significant problem by another respondent. They said: “Tullamore is one of the few towns in the country with sufficient waste water treatment capacity for double its current population but Offaly County Council has dezoned large tracts of land that could being to meet the housing needs of the area. Land must be rezoned for more housing inside the ring road.”

Increased crime and hooliganism was referred to by one respondent who said the Gardai are not being given enough support to collectively do their job and be seen in the community.

“We have been told at every election that this would be addressed but it has only got worse. A serious level of empty promises.”

Another business person complained that the Government actively appeared to be passing responsibility for climate action onto industry.

They wrote: “I believe that success in bringing about climate action requires all parties to have skin in the game. In order to do this Offaly County Council needs funding to pay for infrastructure as well as manpower.”

Another respondent suggested that a shop local campaign be undertaken.

Rail and road connectivity, asylum seekers, the rise of the far right, healthcare issues, VAT costs and traffic calming were also mentioned in responses.