Longford on road to being a tired residential hub, rather than a vibrant county town

Longford County Council's Capital Expenditure is expected to increase by almost €8.5 million in the next two years. Details of project spending up to 2026 were outlined to local authority members at the March meeting of the local authority.

John McKeon Head of Finance, IT, Procurement and Facilities outlined to members the plans for spending over the next two and a half years.

The overall Capital Expenditure for 2024 is €51,032,829, rising to €57,481,354 in 2025, and in 2026 the figure is €59,479,112.

Increases in spending under the Environmental Protection and Economic Development departments account for the bulk of the increase.

For the next three years the Housing and Building budgets are: €25,273,063 ('24), €23,996,602 ('25) and €25,662,384 ('26). There is a decrease in the Road Transportation and Safety spends over the three years, from: €15,142,101 ('24) €15,192,101 ('25) €14,984,851 ('26), while Water Supply and Sewerage are €266,000 ('24) €266,000 ('25) €266,000 ('26).

Under Economic Development, C&E, HR, Libraries, Culture & Heritage the '24 spend is €9,699,165, rising to €16,206,651 ('25) and dropping to €15,720,877 in '25.

Environmental Protection budget is €546,500 in '24, up to €1,750,000 in '25, and €2,775,000 in '26.

The Recreation and Amenities budget for '24 is €70,000, which is the same for the following two years. Under the heading Miscellaneous there's a €36,000 allocation in '24, but no further projected spend.

The Head of Finance said the figures come with a caveat: “A lot of what is in here is aspirational, and it's very ambitious. It's a big budget with over €160 million to be spent over the three years on Capital Projects.”

Mr McKeon said the majority of the funding comes from grants: “We also fund a certain amount through loans, or the Longford Model. The final strands of funding is our own resources from things like development levies and our reserves.”

Responding to the figures, Cllr Paul Ross commended the ambition of the projections: “It's great to see the money that we are spending on roads, regeneration and housing.”

Cllr Ross asked for details on the provision of funding for a business park in the county: “This is a big issue and one we must move on. It has been an issue raised in the Ballymahon MD over the last five years.”

Mr McKeon said plans were in place to address this: “We have created a fund for that over the last number of years from our Economic Development section.”

Cllr Gerry Warnock expressed concerns about the balance of the money, particularly in regard to spending on housing compared to regeneration: “Between now and the end of 2025 we plan to spend €39 million on social housing, and only €4 million on the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.”

The independent councillor said the county town was “on a downward spiral”.

“It's fairly obvious we are in a lot of bother compared to a number of years ago,” said Cllr Warnock, “We are seeing a lot of vacant properties in the county town being converted into apartments. Longford has not had a very good history with them over the last couple of decades. We are on the road to being a tired residential hub, rather than a vibrant county town.”

Cllr Seamus Butler agreed with his council colleague saying the spend on regeneration was “a bit on the light side”.

“I find it very disappointing we are not going ahead with the development of the town library,” he said, “I find it extremely unambitious. Especially as the library is part of the Town Centre First Programme. We really do need a new library in Longford.”

He said the role of the library has developed into its use as a centre for arts and culture: “We should move it to Connolly Barracks which could also facilitate a museum.”

Cllr Gerard Farrell said economic difficulties were not exclusive to Longford town: “The council do their best to support local business. We are not the only Midlands town to experience a decline. Athlone town centre is feeling the pinch as well,” he said, “We have fantastic companies providing great employment in Longford.”

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Council Chief Executive, Paddy Mahon, said it was a well structured budget: “This budget represents a significant investment both in the county and in the county town. It's a reflection on the ambition shown year on year to make sure Longford gets the best possible return on the projects we invest in.”

Mr Mahon said the over balance of the budget was sound: “We hear your concerns about a perceived over focus on housing. There is 100% funding for programmes like active travel, which indicate the positive investment in the county town.”