A huge thank you to all who attended Saturday's meeting
engaged with the speakers and voted positively that an island council is a good
idea. Thanks also to the 12 islanders
who put their name forward to sit on the steering group should it be
required. Special thanks to James O
Neill, Muintir na Tire, John Walsh Chairman of Comhdhaill na Eireann and Bere
Islander and our own Michael Kavanagh. Thanks to Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh for
hosting the meeting and Shirley Gallagher who chaired the meeting.
 |
| Waiting to hear the craic! |
James spoke clearly
and with passion on the benefits of having a community council, a united front,
of having the support of a national structure that supports nurtures and guides
hundreds of communities all around Ireland.
John shared the journey that Bere Island made from the outset in
2004. Michael spoke of the potential of
future jobs as a result of an island council on the island. His area of expertise is biomass (wood) and
the potential for its growth, production and use on Arainn Mhor He drove home the startling fact that
Arranmore Island spent €1.6milllion on fossil fuels in 2010 and this cost could
be greatly reduced (up to 1/3) whilst creating island jobs for farmers, and
fitters if we work together and join the dots.
.
PROPOSAL FOR ISLAND COUNCIL
It is proposed that Arranmore Island will set up a community
island council based on Muintir na Tire Community Council model. This was agreed at a meeting with 40
islanders on 29th March 2014 at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh.
Muintir was set up in 1937 to promote a spirit of
neighbourliness and a community approach to solving problems common to the
entire community. A Muintir Council
gives everybody an opportunity to become involved in turning their community
into a better place.
The Benefits of an Island
Community Council
1.
One voice for the island; unity.
2.
The council will include all islanders in a
democratic process, providing a mandate for the island.
3.
The Council can provide help and assistance for
islanders
4.
Using Muintir na Tire’s guidelines we have the
support of a national network of councils and Muintir na Tire’s staff.
5.
Under Muintir’s umbrella we would have
charitable status, avail of other benefits such as group insurance and legal
support.
6.
The council will be open and transparent and
follow Muintir’s guidelines and constitution.
7.
On formation of the council, a system would be
setup to engage with other organisations and groups on the island in order to
support their aims and objectives.
NEXT STEPS
There will be a house to house drop on Wednesday (Spy) 16th
April and if the inhabitants are absent, their votes will be collected on Holy
Saturday. Only islanders over the age of
18 are eligible to vote and their signature is required to be included as part
of the count. The count will take place
on Holy Saturday 19th April 2014 at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh at
5pm. All welcome to attend count.
Should the proposal be adopted a steering committee will be
created at this time and will discuss election boundaries.
The steering committee is eligible to all islanders over 18
who wish to participate, please contact Shirley Gallagher on shirleyannegallagher@gmail.com
or 085 8555792 if you wish to help with distribution of poll.
What is a Steering Committee?
This is a temporary committee of local people which presides
over and organises the setting up of a Muintir council. Members of the steering committee are
eligible to nominate and to stand for election on the community council.
The main responsibilities
of a Steering Committee
1.
Determines the size of the Council
2.
Carry out the nomination and election process
3.
Undertake a ‘Needs Survey’ of the island.
4.
Disband once the Muintir island council is set
up.
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