OPINION: Now that the Local Elections are over, the real work begins

The Local Elections for 2024 are now over, but there won’t be much time for celebrations.

The date for the Tipperary County Council AGM is set for Friday, June 21 and district councils will follow soon after.

As Thurles is grouped with Templemore and Roscrea, the two LEAs will join forces and continue the work they have been doing.

Because the election is unlikely to change much in the district as the municipal council is more or less the same.

All of the other outgoing councillors have been returned, except two, Seamus Hanafin and Noel Coonan, who have retired. Michael Lowry, Jim Ryan, Sean Ryan and Peggy Ryan have all been returned in Thurles.

While in Roscrea, Eddie Moran, Shane Lee and Michael Smith are all ready to take their places.

There are two new faces, one from each LEA. That is Kay Cahill Skehan from Thurles and William Kennedy for Roscrea-Templemore.

It should be noted that both retiring councillors were Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, respectively.

Both parties quickly regained those seats with their newcomers. There is a certain continuity in that because Tipperary County Council has big plans in the district.

The Kickham Street road works are due to start in August.

Once they are finished, the Slievenamon Road project will begin.

There are also big plans for Roscrea, with the draft masterplan unveiled last year. The plan includes a substantial amount of pedestrianisation, enhancing Glebe Park and upgrading Gantly Road.

In Templemore, the new town hall development will likely be a priority.

The project was feared stalled, but a funding injection last year raised hopes of progression.

So, everyone will likely hit the ground running.

ON THE DOORSTEPS

But, both returning councillors and newcomers will have heard from their constituents while canvassing.

Roads in Thurles towns and the surrounds are a given.

But some of the other issues they may have gotten an earful on might include flooding and broadband connection in rural areas and villages.

Housing will have come up and potentially crime too.

In Roscrea, immigration, asylum and recent protests will have been on the minds of the electorate.

Access to services like healthcare, employment, the hoteol and again housing are things we know are concerns for Roscrea.

Given all the fuss over CCTV last year, it would be interesting to see how heavily that featured on the public's priority list.

PASSION PROJECTS

Anyone who covers monthly council meetings will know that the same things come up again and again.

And while the faces may not have changed much, nothing rejuvenates one's energy like competition.

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Sean Ryan (FF) is passionate about climate action and energy efficiency and will likely push for progress on the new decarbonisation zone and getting funding for retrofitting of those homes that have not been upgraded.

Jim Ryan (Ind) is a regualr lobbyist for arts funding and has a big couple of weeks in June/July with the upcoming Liberty Music Festival.

The now, annual event brings tens of thousands of people to the town which is not to be scoffed at.

He was also a councillor who advocated last year for additional GMA funding for community arts projects.

Mr Ryan is also a long-time advocate for the removal of parking from Parnell Street.

The council have said there is a Part 8 application on the way that would expand the car park facilitating the clearing of the street.

Kay Cahill Skehan listed the Littleton Labyrinth as a campaign priority.

And, as that is a priority for Sean Ryan, it will likely feature heavily in the discussions of the next district council.

The council have just recently acquired the last of the land for the Inner Relief Road in Thurles which includes the land to complete the footpath between the Dublin Road and Ladyswell.

Micheal Lowry will likely want to see that come to fruition given his involvement in the negotiations.

And then there is the 2025 review of the National Development Plan.

Getting the bypass on that plan will be a top priority for the next district council.

In Roscrea and Templemore, funding for community groups, completing the Mall River (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme which went for public consultation earlier this year, will all like see a push from the new council.

Balancing the needs of residents and those seeking asylum in Roscrea will be a challenge.

While, the protests have ceased, the Midland Tribune reported last week that the newly-formed Community Action Group have written to Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman to outline their continuing concerns.

And if Tipperary County Council and the Municipal District thinks they can call it a central Government problem, that doesn’t seem likely to wash.