Working group for Development Plan

A short-term working group is to be set up to see how best to implement recommendations from the consultants who conducted the Community Survey in Kilcullen in the months before Christmas, writes Brian Byrne.

This was decided at last night's public meeting in the Town Hall where a presentation on the results of the survey was made by Susan Bookle of Burtenshaw Kenny Associates.

The recommendations were made under eight headings which included Health Services, Education and Training, Enterprise & Employment, and Culture, Heritage & Tourism.

Describing the results of the survey as a 'rich' source of information, Ms Bookle outlined the basic findings under each heading, then opened the floor to suggestions and questions. Some 60 people attended the meeting.

The Survey was commissioned by Kilcullen Community Action and supported by the Kildare Leader Partnership.

The results in detail will be published on the KCA website and will be made available in a number of other locations. The Survey report is in essence a Draft Development Plan for Kilcullen.

A number of issues will require fairly immediate direct action from the community, including the acquisition of a Primary Care Centre under the Health section, and getting involved in the Failte Kildare initiative to promote awareness of the county and individual attractions in it.

Among the findings in the Survey were many positive matters, including the high levels of community involvement in voluntary clubs and organisations, a high level of community spirit and sense of pride of belonging, and the attractive setting in an area of natural beauty.

Challenges include the fact that a number of services required for a town the size of Kilcullen are not in place, the impact of the recession on families, and the need for community groups to work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Suggesting the formation of a working group, KCA's Orla O'Neill said the organisation will give whatever support is needed to set up structures to implement the plan, but she emphasised that it would 'not be a KCA project'.

The Diary will be providing more detailed information on the Survey, the Development Plan, and the progress of the Implementation Group over the coming days and weeks.


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