Time to revisit Community Councils?
There seems to be a solid interest in the poll elsewhere on this page asking if Kilcullen should have a Community Council?
Certainly it is the poll so far which has had the fastest response, and it will be interesting to guage just how much interest there is in the concept by the end of the week.
Many readers might not be aware that Kilcullen had a vibrant Community Council through the 70s, which did have the effect of providing everybody in the parish with a forum that represented all strands of community need and activity.
Its highs (and lows) are well chronicled in the annals of The Bridge Magazine. The period of its existence was one where community leadership was well to the fore, and names like May Connolly and Jerry Kelly are just a few of those that illuminated Kilcullen of the time.
The Community Council system was developed by Muintir na Tíre, the national organisation promoting community development in Ireland established in 1937 by John M Canon Hayes. Through the principles of neighbourliness, self-help and self-reliance, Muintir na Tíre promoted and supported the concept of active community participation in local development.
There are many examples of local Community Councils which have kept going from that time, not all of which are still directly affiliated to Muintir. Though local authorities over the decades were at best diffident about real recognition of these non-statutory and non-political organisations, the councils did at least provide a fully democratic place for meeting and discussion on important local issues.
Maybe Kilcullen should try again?
Brian Byrne.
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