Leave Edenderry a legacy - Leddin

Money made available to Edenderry Town Council for special projects, which could total €20,000 by the time of the council’s proposed abolition next year, should be used to leave a legacy for the people of Edenderry.

That’s the view of local Labour councillor Declan Leddin, who told the Offaly Independent this week he’s in favour of a project such as CCTV for the town centre or the construction of a skate park being funded.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Cllr Leddin said the council’s special projects allocation has in the past been used to support local groups including Comhaltas, Edenderry Against Substance Abuse and Edenderry Boxing Club.

He’s hoping his colleagues will agree to take on board ideas from residents of Edenderry and the surrounding area when it comes to using money accrued for special projects up to the council’s demise. 

“There are a number of projects that come to mind and other councillors may have similar or different proposals in mind, but I think that we should allow the public to contribute to the debate about how these funds are disposed of,” Cllr Leddin said.

“The public exercise their right to vote every five years but have very little say in what happens in between and I think the fact that this in all probability will be the town council’s final year that we should give the people of Edenderry an opportunity to have their say.”

Cllr Leddin said proposals from conversations he’s had in the past week include a CCTV system for Edenderry’s main streets and a skate park.

He said he’s in favour of both, and added that CCTV would give both people and businesses in the town a greater sense of security.

“They’ve been proven to reduce crime in towns around the country where they’ve been fitted,” he said.

Cllr Leddin said his suggestion, which he’ll bring to Edenderry Town Council’s next meeting, would also offer an opportunity for local students to engage with local councillors and public officials.

“Only recently I was asked to speak to students in a civics class in St Mary’s and I was pleasantly surprised at the level of interest in politics among them,” he said.

“I see no reason why in conjunction with my proposal that we could not establish a Student Town Council for the last town council year comprising students from both schools and invite them to the monthly meeting of the council.”