"We can all work together for the good of the town", says newly elected Cathaoirleach
Issued : Sunday 12 June, 2011
Councillors, Town Manager, Town Clerk, residents of Bray, I am very proud to have been elected as Cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council.
I would like to thank my proposer, Cllr. O'Brien and my seconder, Cllr. Byrne. I would like to thank the councillors who supported my nomination. I know that the healthy differences of opinion expressed by some of the members over the past few days will not impede the smooth operation of this council in the year ahead.
I would like to compliment Cllr Grant on his handling of the Cathaoirleach's duties over the past year. The wealth of experience that he brought to the table has been instructive to me and, no doubt, to many of the other councillors. You were a fair and even-handed Cathaoirleach, despite being put under pressure on several occasions. I don't think anyone could argue that they were not given a fair crack of the whip.
In your acceptance speech last year, you stressed the importance of job creation and the stimulus of the local economy. I know that I speak for every member around the table tonight when I say that this should continue to be a primary focus of the council in the year ahead.
The past few years have brought many challenges locally and nationally. As a council, we can only deal with the local. The Bray Economic Think Tank report has given us a roadmap to how we can lift Bray out of its current difficulties. We are very lucky to have Christine Flood in her new role in driving the recommendations forward, and I look forward to working closely with her in pursuing the goal of a prosperous town once again.
Of primary importance in achieving this goal is the creation of a Community Enterprise Centre for the town. Enterprise Centres are essential in fostering local industry and ultimately addressing the need for sustainable job creation in the town. This is an issue that has been kicked down the road too many times and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. We must investigate all means of funding this project to ensure that it is achieved at the earliest opportunity.
We must liaise with our educational institutions to promote Bray as a location for campus companies looking to take the plunge into the fully private sector. We have a wonderful educational resource in the Bray Institute of Further Education, which has been turning out top quality graduates in many fields. We, as a council must encourage these new graduates to further develop their skills and help them convert their training and skills into viable businesses within the town.
Bray's image has taken some knocks over the years. It will be the job of the council, alongside members of our community and business sectors, to rebuild the image of the town as a place in which it is a pleasure to live and to do business. This process has already begun and I will ensure that the work that has been put in by many people bears fruit during my time as Cathaoirleach.Next year, the Mermaid Theatre is 10 years old. It is a shining example of what can be achieved by the council. It has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and that is something to be celebrated.
Tá trí gaelscoileanna againn anseo i mBré. Tá a lán daoine amuigh ansin nach úisáideann an chuid ghaeilge atá acu. Ba mhaith liom Lá Na Gaeilge a eagrú sa bhaile chun ár teanga a cheiliúradh agus chun daoine a spreagadh chun ár teanga a leabhairt.
Both the natural and built environments of Bray are very important to the people of the town. In the year ahead we must push ahead with initiatives to improve the livability of Bray for all of its residents. I would like to hold a public consultation on what improvements are needed on the Main Street, and I will be looking at the possibility of providing free or low-cost Wi-Fi to the users of the town centre.
Several major engineering projects have been held up in the past few years and we must work together to commence them this year. The Dargle Flood Protection Scheme is long overdue and we must ensure that any obstacles to its completion are overcome. We must also ensure that the Quality Bus Corridor project is started this year. This will give a much needed facelift to the street, while also improving our public transport network. Improving public transport is the best way to reduce traffic on the Main St. By reducing traffic we make the town a more pleasant place to shop, giving a boost to local traders.
This year we will be working on other projects that will improve environmentally-friendly transport within Bray. We will be looking at improving walking links between the schools in the town centre and also reviewing and revamping our cycle lane network. I will be working with the schools in the town to ensure that we deliver safe and healthy routes to school for all of our children.
Our seafront, the jewel in the crown of our tourist industry, has been spruced up a bit this year through the Bray Tidy Towns group and the continuing hard work of our outdoor staff. I hope that we can work with the traders on the seafront on further improvements. Financing improvements has been a challenge in years past and it is important that we examine alternative sources of revenue to finance them.
This council has shown over the last two years that the members are willing to put aside their differences to work together in improving the town. Around this table we will, at times, disagree but I will do my best to ensure a fair and open debate. This is the essence of democracy. I hope that during my year as Cathaoirleach, we can all work together for the good of the town.
Thank you.
Cllr 
