New €1.4M local authority depot for Clones

The members of Monaghan County Council approved borrowing of up to €1.4M for the construction of a new local authority depot for the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District area, to be located at Teehill, Clones.

Head of Finance Olga McConnon told the meeting that a resolution from the members and Department approval is needed if the Council wishes to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency.

Financial Management Accountant Johanna McKenna said the money will be borrowed from the HFA on a fixed interest 30-year loan of 3.3%. The Council is already paying €18,000 per annum in rental fees for depot facilities in the MD area.

Proposing the resolution, Cllr Sean Gilliland (FG) expressed his full support for the project saying it would bring benefits to Ballybay-Clones.

Cllr Pat Treanor (SF), seconding, said this will benefit the MD outdoor staff who have been moved to various locations in recent times. What was called the Slaughter Yard in Clones was once their home and they have been in rented property for the last 12 years.

Referring to the design he said, “This looks a good facility for our outdoor staff who deserve the best.”

Fine Gael's Richard Truell (FG) asked if the loan would lead to any burden on ratepayers, and if the new development would dispense with the need for the rented property in Newbliss for outdoor staff.

It was agreed at the request of Cathaoirleach Cllr P J O’Hanlon (FF) that the executive would revert to Cllr Truell with detailed answers on what the Cathaoirleach described as “very valid queries”.

Cllr Alan Johnston (FG) asked if the Council had a priority list of other construction projects in the county. He also asked the total repayment amount for the Council’s existing loans.

The Cathaoirleach asked the executive to come back to the next meeting with a presentation on the matters raised.